Was it right to be suspicious? The world’s first robot artist performs around the world. But some think she might have a dark side. Are they right?
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Stop that spy! Egypt arrests robot Ai-Da
Was it right to be suspicious? The world's first robot artist performs around the world. But some think she might have a dark side. Are they right?
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What's happening?
Ai-Da is a young artist from Oxford, England. Ten days ago, she arrived in Egypt. She was there to take part in an art show.
But when she arrived at the airport, she was stopped. The guards thought she was a spy. Why were they frightened? Because Ai-Da is a robot.
Find out more
Ai-Da first became famous two years ago when she showed her art at an exhibition in Oxford. She sold all of her work and made over £1m.
Now, she travels around the world with her artwork. Using her camera "eye", Ai-Da looks at her subject and creates her own version on the canvas.
But the guards in Egypt did not like this. When the robot arrived, they said she was a spy. The only way she could get through the gate was if her camera eyes were taken out.
Lots of talks have taken place. Officials from Egypt and the UK have spoken. Now, Ai-Da has been released. And yesterday, she got to the pyramids in time for her art show.
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Was Egypt right to be suspicious?
Some say
Yes! Ai-Da is a robot. She could find out lots of information. And a robot artist does sound odd! Of course they were right to worry that she was a spy.
Others think
No, it is so silly! Ai-Da is not more powerful than other computers. If someone wanted to spy they would take their phone.
Stop that spy! Egypt arrests robot Ai-Da
Ai-Da stands in front of one of 'her' artworks during "Ai-Da: The World's First Robot Artist" press view at Design Museum on May 18, 2021 © Getty