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Riyadh Space Fair Paves Way for Generation Interested in the Universe

An astronaut suit on display at the fair.
An astronaut suit on display at the fair.
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Riyadh Space Fair Paves Way for Generation Interested in the Universe

An astronaut suit on display at the fair.
An astronaut suit on display at the fair.

The Riyadh City Royal Commission launched on Sunday the Riyadh Space Fair, a first-of-its-kind event displaying models of rockets launched from space shuttles and the equipment used on space missions.

Also featured are astronaut suits, pressure and oxygen measuring devices, and food and beverage preservation equipment.

The Fair offers visitors of all ages the chance to enjoy interactive educational experiences and learn about space hands-on. Visitors can expect to learn about the relationship between man and the universe, explore the secrets of space, and learn about the immense recent achievements that have greatly enhanced man’s understanding of the universe.

The Fair is home to seven stations for live experiences that offer fun, adventure, and a wealth of information.

Visitors are taken on a gripping journey in which they learn about the development of astronomy, cosmology, and modern scientific theories about the nature of the universe through entertaining and informative games, interactive simulators like “Walk on Mars.”

They can also experiment with techniques used to study the universe, such as telescopes, satellites and others. Visitors will have all their questions about space answered in interactive sessions about space and its wanders.

Haifa Al-Idrisi, who runs the Fair, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the exhibition seeks to provide an introduction to anyone without a background in space.

“We also hope that the experience will open the doors of space science to young people, whom the exhibition will inspire to enter these fields.”

The fair is being held at the King Salman Science Oasis and runs until February 20.

Saudi Arabia intends to expand its space science research by launching the Saudi Space Commission, which will qualify and train Saudis and launch flights into space, the first of which will take off this year.

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Humanoid Robot Says Not Aiming to 'Replace Human Artists'

A man faces the realistic artist" robot "Ai-Da" using artificial intelligence at a stand during the ITU AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP/File
A man faces the realistic artist" robot "Ai-Da" using artificial intelligence at a stand during the ITU AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP/File
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Humanoid Robot Says Not Aiming to 'Replace Human Artists'

A man faces the realistic artist" robot "Ai-Da" using artificial intelligence at a stand during the ITU AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP/File
A man faces the realistic artist" robot "Ai-Da" using artificial intelligence at a stand during the ITU AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP/File

When successful artist Ai-Da unveiled a new portrait of King Charles this week, the humanoid robot described what inspired the layered and complex piece, and insisted it had no plans to "replace" humans.

The ultra-realistic robot, one of the most advanced in the world, is designed to resemble a human woman with an expressive, life-like face, large hazel eyes and brown hair cut in a bob.

The arms though are unmistakably robotic, with exposed metal, and can be swapped out depending on the art form it is practicing.

Late last year, Ai-Da's portrait of English mathematician Alan Turing became the first artwork by a humanoid robot to be sold at auction, fetching over $1 million, said AFP.

But as Ai-Da unveiled its latest creation -- an oil painting entitled "Algorithm King", conceived using artificial intelligence -- the humanoid insisted the work's importance could not be measured in money.

"The value of my artwork is to serve as a catalyst for discussions that explore ethical dimensions to new technologies," the robot told AFP at Britain's diplomatic mission in Geneva, where the new portrait of King Charles will be housed.

The idea, Ai-Da insisted in a slow, deliberate cadence, was to "foster critical thinking and encourage responsible innovation for more equitable and sustainable futures".

'Unique and creative'

Speaking on the sidelines of the United Nations' AI for Good summit, Ai-Da, who has done sketches, paintings and sculptures, detailed the methods and inspiration behind the work.

"When creating my art, I use a variety of AI algorithms," the robot said.

"I start with a basic idea or concept that I want to explore, and I think about the purpose of the art. What will it say?"

The humanoid pointed out that "King Charles has used his platform to raise awareness on environmental conservation and interfaith dialog. I have aimed this portrait to celebrate" that, it said, adding: "I hope King Charles will be appreciative of my efforts."

Aidan Meller, a specialist in modern and contemporary art, led the team that created Ai-Da in 2019 with artificial intelligence specialists at the universities of Oxford and Birmingham.

He told AFP that he had conceived the humanoid robot -- named after the world's first computer programmer Ada Lovelace -- as an ethical arts project, and not "to replace the painters".

Ai-Da agreed.

There is "no doubt that AI is changing our world, (including) the art world and forms of human creative expression", the robot acknowledged.

But "I do not believe AI or my artwork will replace human artists."

Instead, Ai-Da said, the aim was "to inspire viewers to think about how we use AI positively, while remaining conscious of its risks and limitations".

Asked if a painting made by a machine could really be considered art, the robot insisted: "My artwork is unique and creative."

"Whether humans decide it is art is an important and interesting point of conversation."