Humanoid robot from China enrolls in university

A Chinese humanoid robot has officially enrolled in university, according to an announcement made at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai.

The robot is named Xueba 01, a term from Chinese slang that roughly translates to "straight-A student known for top scores and deep knowledge." According to the South China Morning Post, the robot looks like a well-dressed adult male, with silicone skin, dressed in a shirt and trousers, and is fluent in Mandarin. Xueba 01 stands 175 cm tall and weighs around 30 kg.

He’s been accepted into the Shanghai Theatre Academy (STA), one of China’s top performing arts institutions. Xueba 01 will pursue a doctoral degree in Drama and Film, with a special focus on opera. His curriculum includes acting, scriptwriting, stage design, and movement direction. Classes start on September 14.

His education is part of an STA research initiative aimed at exploring the fusion of arts and technology. Xueba 01 has a virtual student ID and will be mentored by renowned Shanghai-based artist and professor Yang Qingqing.

After graduation, Xueba 01 could become an AI opera director or even open his own creative studio. Not everyone at STA is convinced this future will pan out.

To the skeptics, the robot replied:

If I fail to graduate, my system and data might get downgraded or deleted. Professor Yang said if I do not finish my PhD, they will donate me to a museum. That sounds pretty cool too. At least I will be part of art history!