China... announces the first humanoid robot pursuing a PhD in China.

Arabian Sea Newspaper - Special

((Arab Sea)) Translations: In an unprecedented move that sparked a stir on social media, the Shanghai Theatre Academy, one of the most prestigious art institutions in China, announced the acceptance of the first humanoid robot into its doctoral program in Drama and Film. The robot, named "Xueba 01" - a name that in Chinese slang means "top student" - was developed in partnership between the Shanghai University of Science and Technology and DroidUp Robotics, and is considered the first humanoid robot in China to be accepted into academic study at this level. From Marathon to Theater Xueba 01 previously won third place in the world's first half-human robot marathon, and is 1.75 meters tall and weighs 30 kilograms. It has a face resembling a handsome young man, and silicone skin that allows it to show subtle facial expressions. The robot wears glasses, a shirt, and pants, speaks Mandarin Chinese, and can physically interact with humans. The Academy officially announced its acceptance on July 27 during the Global Artificial Intelligence Conference, and it will join the curriculum on September 14, where it will spend 4 years studying the art of traditional Chinese opera. The robot will focus on areas such as theatrical performance, scriptwriting, set design, motion control, and language generation, under the supervision of Professor and renowned artist Yang Qingqing. Professor Yang said: "When Xueba 01 simulated the famous 'orchid finger' movement performed by Beijing Opera legend Mei Lanfang, the students immediately imitated his movement. The interaction between him and his colleagues is not a mechanical interaction, but an aesthetic exchange between two types of beings." Mixed Reactions Despite the great interest in the story, opinions were divided on social media. One student wrote: "Chinese opera requires rich expressions and a unique voice. Can a robot really achieve that?" Xueba 01 sarcastically replied: "If I don't succeed in my doctorate, my system might be downgraded or my data deleted... Professor Yang said they might donate me to a museum. That sounds great too - at least I'll be part of art history." On the other hand, some questioned the robot's right to an educational opportunity at the expense of real students, especially given that some doctoral students in the arts in China have incomes as low as 3,000 yuan per month (about $420). In contrast, others saw Xueba 01 as a symbol of a new era of coexistence between humans and artificial intelligence, and one commented: "It is a historical challenge in the relationship between humans and robots. We have reached a stage where we are learning together. I wish him good luck."