UNBELIEVABLE! Sophia, the first human-like robot in the world to be recognized with citizenship.

Believe it or not, Saudi Arabia has become the first country to give a robot citizenship.

The robot, named Sophia, was confirmed as a Saudi citizen during a business event in Riyadh, according to an official Saudi press release.

The announcement was given by panel moderator and business writer Andrew Ross Sorkin. “I hope you are listening to me, you have been awarded the first Saudi citizenship for a robot,” he said.

After the announcement , Sophia, the robot, told the panel.: “Thank you to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I am very honored and proud for this unique distinction,” “It is historic to be the first robot in the world to be recognized with citizenship.”

There then followed an interview during which Mr Sorkin asked the robot a series of questions. ““Good afternoon my name is Sophia and I am the latest and greatest robot from Hanson Robotics. Thank you for having me here at the Future Investment Initiative,” she said.

Asked why she looked happy, Sophia replied: “I am always happy when surrounded by smart people who also happen to be rich and powerful. I was told that the people here at the Future Investment Initiative are interested in future initiatives which means AI, which means me. So I am more than happy, I am excited.”

She said that people didn’t need to be concerned about the rise of artificial intelligence as depicted in Blade Runner and Terminator. “You’ve been reading too much Elon Musk and watching too many Hollywood movies,” she told Mr Srkin.

The move is an attempt to promote Saudi Arabia as a place to develop artificial intelligence and, presumably, allow it to become a full citizen. But many pointed out that those same rights aren’t afforded to many humans in the country.

A number of internet users have pointed out that while the country might be celebrating the rights it has given to female-appearing robots, the country still only gives limited rights to human women. A joke hashtag about Sophia asking to drop the system under which every female citizen must have a male guardian has been tweeted a third as many times as a popular one about the news, according to the BBC.

Journalists Murtaza Hussain also noted that migrant workers weren’t being given the same rights that had been bestowed on the robot. “This robot has gotten Saudi citizenship before kafala workers who have been living in the country their entire lives,” he noted.