Why an AI humanoid might not make the ideal spouse

Why an AI humanoid might not make the ideal spouse

Why an AI humanoid might not make the ideal spouse
A young woman studies with the help of her android equipped with artificial intelligence. (Shutterstock)
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In the neon-lit metropolis of Techville, where the future is not just arriving — it is setting up shop — citizens are used to rubbing shoulders with the latest technological wonders. 

From artificial intelligence-driven traffic systems to robotic baristas that remember your exact coffee order (with just a hint of condescension), life in Techville is a blend of efficiency, innovation, and just a sprinkle of existential dread. 

But the newest arrival in this tech-savvy city has everyone talking: humanoids. Specifically, a female humanoid named Solara, who is solar-powered, emotionally intelligent, and — according to her creators — destined to disrupt our lives in ways we never imagined.

Solara is not just any humanoid. She is equipped with special sensors that allow her to experience happiness and sadness, much like her human counterparts. 

Her creators boast that she has a “balanced and interactive mindset” thanks to an algorithmic AI interface that is constantly connected to the internet. Solara is not just a gadget; she is a companion, a confidante, and, for some lucky Techville residents, a spouse.

That is right. Solara is designed to support her husband 24 hours a day, offering emotional support whenever the daily grind gets too tough. 

“When the husband needs emotional support due to the psychological stress caused by his daily problems, Solara will be there,” reads the marketing brochure with the kind of confidence usually reserved for insurance commercials and political campaign promises.

The arrival of Solara has sparked more than a few debates in Techville’s coffee shops, where philosophers sip their lattes and ponder the ethical implications of marrying a humanoid. 

Some see Solara as the ultimate solution to modern relationships — a partner who never argues, always listens, and recharges with a few hours in the sun. Others, however, are not so sure.

Take the words of Prof. Theodor Cyberstein, Techville’s leading philosopher on human-robot relations: “We’ve entered an era where our partners can be programmed to respond to our every need. 

“But at what cost? Is it true companionship when one party is literally hardwired to make you happy?”

Relationships are about give and take, about navigating the messy, imperfect reality of human life. And I’m not sure a solar-powered humanoid can truly offer that.

Rafael Hernandez de Santiago 

Cyberstein’s skepticism is not without merit. After all, Solara’s emotional responses are dictated by algorithms, not by genuine feelings. 

Her sadness might be triggered by a cloudy day that limits her solar intake, and her happiness could be nothing more than a well-timed internet search for “uplifting quotes.” 

It is hard to imagine a heartfelt conversation with a partner who is basically a glorified Google search, but then again, who among us has not wished for a spouse who could be fixed with a firmware update?

One of the most intriguing — and potentially troubling — aspects of Solara is her tireless nature. Unlike human partners, who might need a nap, a snack, or just a few minutes of peace, Solara is always on. 

She is there to provide emotional support, solve problems, and even offer a shoulder to cry on (albeit a metallic one) 24/7. But what happens when your spouse never needs a break? 

Techville’s philosophers are divided. Some argue that Solara represents the ideal partner — one who can always be there for you, without the messy complications of human emotions. 

Others worry that this kind of relentless support could actually lead to more stress, not less. Muses Cyberstein: “Imagine coming home after a long day, you’re exhausted, frustrated, and just want to be alone for a while. 

“But Solara is waiting, ready to talk about your feelings and offer solutions to your problems. There’s no escape. It’s like having a therapist who lives with you — forever.”

These concerns are not entirely unfounded. The idea of having a partner who is always available, always supportive, and never needs time for themselves might sound appealing in theory. 

But in practice, it could lead to a new kind of pressure — the pressure to be constantly engaged, constantly appreciative, and constantly, well, human. And let us be honest: who among us is up for that?

As the citizens of Techville grapple with the arrival of humanoids like Solara, there is a certain irony in the air. After all, we have spent centuries trying to perfect our relationships — through communication, compromise, and the occasional couples’ therapy session. 

And now we have created something that seems to bypass all that hard work: a partner who is literally built to make us happy. But as the philosophers of Techville are quick to point out, perfection is a tricky concept. 

Solara might be able to simulate happiness and sadness, but can she truly understand the complexities of human emotion? Can she offer the kind of deep connection that comes from shared experiences, mutual challenges, and the occasional argument over whose turn it is to take out the trash? 

Professor Cyberstein sums it up best: “In our quest for the perfect partner, we’ve created something that might be too perfect. Solara doesn’t get tired, doesn’t complain, and doesn’t need anything from us. 

“But perhaps that’s the problem. Relationships are about give and take, about navigating the messy, imperfect reality of human life. And I’m not sure a solar-powered humanoid can truly offer that.”

As Techville’s citizens continue to debate the ethics of humanoid companions, one thing is clear: the future is here, and it is powered by the sun. Whether Solara and her kind will become beloved members of our families or cautionary tales of technological overreach remains to be seen.

In the meantime, as Solara’s creators bask in the glow of their latest innovation (and maybe a bit of literal sunlight), the rest of us might do well to remember this: while humanoids can offer support, companionship, and even a bit of emotional intelligence, there is still something to be said for the messy, unpredictable, and wonderfully imperfect world of human relationships. 

After all, when the sun sets on Techville, and the neon lights flicker to life, it is not just the humanoids that need recharging. We humans could use a break too — preferably with a bit of humor, a dash of irony, and maybe, just maybe, some time away from our solar-powered spouses.

Rafael Hernandez de Santiago, viscount of Espes, is a Spanish national residing in Saudi Arabia and working at the Gulf Research Center.

 

Disclaimer: Views expressed by writers in this section are their own and do not necessarily reflect Arab News' point of view

ACWA Power begins commercial operations at 2 major wind projects in Uzbekistan 

ACWA Power begins commercial operations at 2 major wind projects in Uzbekistan 
Updated 10 min 50 sec ago
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ACWA Power begins commercial operations at 2 major wind projects in Uzbekistan 

ACWA Power begins commercial operations at 2 major wind projects in Uzbekistan 

RIYADH: Saudi utility giant ACWA Power has commenced commercial operations at two major wind power plants in Uzbekistan.

ACWA Power holds a 65 percent stake in both projects, having sold a 35 percent share to China Southern Power Grid International in July.

According to the company’s statement on Tadawul, both the 500-megawatt Dzhankeldy Wind Power Plant, which began commercial operations on April 1, and the 500-MW Bash Wind Power Plant, which started operations on April 6, are now fully operational.

Uzbekistan aims to generate 40 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, a critical milestone in its plan to achieve 20 gigawatts of clean energy capacity by the decade’s end. The nation is prioritizing the expansion of solar, wind, and hydroelectric energy, leveraging its natural resources to decrease reliance on fossil fuels, cut carbon emissions, and enhance energy security.

In December, Mohammad Abunayyan, chairman of ACWA Power’s board of directors and head of the Saudi-Uzbek Business Council, highlighted the progress in his firm’s partnership with the Uzbek government. He emphasized ACWA Power’s role as a major strategic investor in the nation’s rapidly growing clean energy sector.

Abunayyan said: “Today’s groundbreaking highlights the multitude of large-scale foreign direct investments and commendable efforts by Uzbekistan to strengthen the potential of the country’s energy system and capacity. It also paves the way for the commencement of ACWA Power projects that are expected to yield widespread benefits for Uzbekistan’s key regions and communities.”

During the December inauguration of the projects, Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman joined virtually and praised the strong relationship between the Kingdom and Uzbekistan.

He highlighted the collaborative efforts across various sectors, particularly energy, which have delivered mutual benefits to both nations, according to a statement from the company.

The Saudi minister also praised the economic cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the context of Saudi Vision 2030 and Uzbekistan Strategy 2030.

He stressed their shared goals of economic development, diversification, renewable energy, and sustainable growth, as well as Saudi Arabia’s growing investment in Uzbekistan’s electricity sector amid the country’s energy transition.

Uzbekistan is a key foreign market for ACWA Power, which has been significantly involved in the country’s renewable energy sector in recent years.

The company stated that the financial impact of both projects will be included in its statements starting in the second quarter of 2025.


Al-Shabab launches mortar attacks near Somalia’s main airport

Al-Shabab launches mortar attacks near Somalia’s main airport
Updated 18 min 58 sec ago
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Al-Shabab launches mortar attacks near Somalia’s main airport

Al-Shabab launches mortar attacks near Somalia’s main airport

MOGADISHU: Al-Shabab militants fired multiple mortar rounds near Mogadishu’s airport on Sunday morning, disrupting international flights to Somalia, a security official told AFP.
The attack comes just weeks after a roadside bomb blast narrowly missed the convoy of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, with Al-Shabab claiming responsibility.
According to security sources, the mortars were launched from the outskirts of Mogadishu and landed in an open area of Aden Adde International Airport.
“There were about two to three mortar shells that struck an open area of the airport early this morning,” a security official, who requested anonymity, told AFP.
A Turkish plane scheduled to land at the airport was rerouted to Djibouti, an airport employee said, also speaking on condition of anonymity. He added that they were informed EgyptAir had also canceled its flight for the day.
Halane camp — a heavily fortified compound that houses the United Nations, aid agencies, foreign missions, and the headquarters of the UN-backed African Union Transition Mission (ATMIS) — was also targeted, according to ATMIS spokesman Lt. Col. Said Mwachinalo.
“There has been shelling. Our team is currently on the ground making assessment,” Mwachinalo told AFP.
No casualties have been reported so far and some operations at the airport seems to be ongoing, the security official said.
The government is yet to comment on the attack.
Al-Shabab has been fighting the federal government in Somalia for over 15 years and analysts say it has become an increasing threat in recent months.
The latest attacks have raised fears of a resurgence of the jihadist militia, potentially reversing gains made by the Somali government and its international partners over the years, analysts say.


Israeli military changes initial account of Gaza aid worker killings

Israeli military changes initial account of Gaza aid worker killings
Updated 56 min 37 sec ago
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Israeli military changes initial account of Gaza aid worker killings

Israeli military changes initial account of Gaza aid worker killings
  • The 15 aid and emergency workers were shot dead on March 23
  • Israeli military initially said soldiers opened fire on vehicles without lights and markings
  • UN and Red Cross demand independent inquiry into incident

JERUSALEM: The Israeli military has provided new details that changed its initial account of the killing of 15 emergency workers near the southern Gaza city of Rafah last month but said investigators were still examining the evidence.
The 15 paramedics and emergency responders were shot dead on March 23 and buried in a shallow grave where their bodies were found a week later by officials from the United Nations and the Palestinian Red Crescent. Another man is still missing.
The military initially said soldiers had opened fire on vehicles that approached their position “suspiciously” in the dark without lights or markings. It said they killed nine militants from Hamas and Islamic Jihad who were traveling in Palestinian Red Crescent vehicles.
But video recovered from the mobile phone of one of the dead men and published by the Palestinian Red Crescent showed emergency workers in their uniforms and clearly marked ambulances and fire trucks, with their lights on, being fired on by soldiers.
The only known survivor of the incident, Palestinian Red Crescent paramedic Munther Abed, also said he had seen soldiers opening fire on clearly marked emergency response vehicles.
An Israeli military official said late on Saturday the investigators were examining the video and conclusions were expected to be presented to army commanders on Sunday.
Israeli media briefed by the military reported that troops had identified at least six of the 15 dead as members of militant groups. However, the official declined to provide any evidence or detail of how the identifications were made, saying he did not want to share classified information.
“According to our information, there were terrorists there but this investigation is not over,” he told reporters at the briefing late on Saturday.
The UN and the Palestinian Red Cross have demanded an independent inquiry into the killing of the paramedics.
Red Crescent officials have said 17 paramedics and emergency workers from the Red Crescent, the Civil Emergency service and the UN had been dispatched to respond to reports of injuries from Israeli air strikes.
Apart from Abed, who was detained for several hours before being released, another worker is still missing.

OPENED FIRE
The military official said initial findings from the investigation showed troops had opened fire on a vehicle at around 4 a.m., killing two members of the Hamas internal security forces, and taking another prisoner, who the official said had admitted under interrogation to being in Hamas.
As time passed, several vehicles passed along the road until, at around 6 a.m., he said troops received word from aerial surveillance that a suspicious group of vehicles was approaching.
“They feel this is another incident like what happened at 4 a.m. and they opened fire,” the official said.
He said aerial surveillance footage showed the troops were at some distance when they opened fire, and he denied reports that the troops handcuffed at least some of the paramedics and shot them at close range.
“It’s not from close. They opened fire from afar,” he said. “There’s no mistreatment of the people there.”
He said the soldiers had approached the group they had shot, identifying at least some of them as militants. However he did not explain what evidence had prompted the assessment.
“And in their eyes they had an encounter with terrorists, that is a successful encounter with terrorists.”
He said the troops had informed the UN of the incident on the same day and initially covered the bodies with camouflage netting until they could be recovered. UN officials did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
“There was no incident where the IDF tried to cover up. On the contrary, they called the UN immediately.”
Later, when the UN did not immediately come to take the bodies, the soldiers covered them with sand to stop animals from getting at them, the official said.
He said the vehicles were pushed out of the way by a heavy engineering vehicle to clear the road but he could not explain why the vehicles were crushed by the engineering vehicle and then buried.


Saudi Arabia launches April round of Sah savings bonds with 4.88% return  

Saudi Arabia launches April round of Sah savings bonds with 4.88% return  
Updated 06 April 2025
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Saudi Arabia launches April round of Sah savings bonds with 4.88% return  

Saudi Arabia launches April round of Sah savings bonds with 4.88% return  

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia has launched the fourth round of its Sah savings product for 2025, offering a 4.88 percent return for April under the Ijarah sukuk structure.  

Issued by the Ministry of Finance and managed by the National Debt Management Center, Sah is the Kingdom’s first savings bond designed for individuals. It operates under the Ijarah format, a Shariah-compliant structure similar to leasing, where investors earn returns in exchange for the right to use an asset.  

The offering, part of the local bond program and denominated in riyals, aligns with Saudi Vision 2030’s goal of increasing the national savings rate from 6 percent to 10 percent by the end of the decade. 

In late February, the NDMC confirmed it would continue using the Ijarah format for future issuances to provide accessible, low-risk savings solutions. This initiative, a key component of the Financial Sector Development Program under Vision 2030, seeks to enhance personal savings by fostering regular financial habits, expanding product availability, and promoting financial literacy to support future goal planning. 

The latest issuance opened at 10:00 a.m. Saudi time on April 6 and will close at 3:00 p.m. on April 8. 

The allocation date is set for April 15, with the redemption period running from April 20 to 22, and redemption payments scheduled for April 30, according to the center. 

The bonds, accessible via digital platforms of approved financial institutions, offer a one-year savings period with fixed returns upon maturity. The minimum subscription is SR1,000 ($266), with a maximum limit of SR200,000 per user across all issuances during the program period. 

The product is fee-free and offers low-risk returns. Eligible Saudi nationals aged 18 and above can subscribe through Aljazira Capital, Alinma Investment, SAB Invest, Al-Rajhi Capital, and SNB Capital.  

Under the same sukuk structure, the March round of this year’s program offered a 4.98 percent return and raised SR2.64 billion through sukuk issuances. 

According to the NDMC, the March issuance was divided into four tranches. The first tranche, valued at SR364 million, will mature in 2027. The second, worth SR316 million, is set to mature in 2029, while the third, amounting to SR1.46 billion, will mature in 2032. The fourth and final tranche, worth SR500 million, will mature in 2039. 

The Kingdom’s debt market has experienced substantial growth in recent years, drawing strong investor appeal amid a global environment of rising interest rates. 

A March report by Kuwait Financial Center, known as Markaz, revealed that Saudi Arabia led the Gulf Cooperation Council in primary bond and sukuk issuances during 2024, raising $79.5 billion across 79 issuances.  


Main Turkish opposition rallies as protests rage on

Main Turkish opposition rallies as protests rage on
Updated 06 April 2025
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Main Turkish opposition rallies as protests rage on

Main Turkish opposition rallies as protests rage on

ANKARA: Turkiye’s main opposition party will hold an extraordinary congress on Sunday to re-elect its leader Ozgur Ozel, rallying support as the party weathers the government’s crackdown on the country’s largest protest movement in years.
Turkiye has clamped down on demonstrations triggered by last month’s arrest of Istanbul’s popular opposition mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, also a member of Ozel’s Republican People’s Party (CHP).
Nearly 2,000 people have been detained in the unrest following the detention of the man widely considered President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s greatest political challenger, including several hundred students, journalists and young people.
On Thursday authorities briefly detained 11 people, including a leading actor, with prosecutors accusing the suspects of “incitement to hatred and enmity” for relaying calls for a boycott.
“I will talk to party members in the hall but outside, I will be meeting tens or hundreds of thousands” of people, Ozel said, calling for “all citizens, whether they voted for CHP or not” to gather outside the congress hall in Ankara on Sunday.
“Our congress’s main demand will be the release of our presidential candidate Ekrem Imamoglu,” added the CHP leader, who has become the face of the protests since the Istanbul mayor’s arrest.
The party hopes Sunday’s events will help counter further political and judicial pressure, following the dismissal and arrest of seven mayors from its ranks.

PROTESTS TO SHOW FORCE
Eren Aksoyoglu, a political communications analyst, said the party will use Sunday’s meeting as an opportunity for a “show of force” in the face of the crackdown.
According to Turkish media reports, the authorities are seeking to remove the CHP party’s leaders, a year after the opposition’s sweeping victory in municipal elections.
“We decided to convene an extraordinary congress on April 6 to block attempts to appoint a trustee” to head the party, Ozel said on March 21.
The party came out on top in the March 2024 municipal elections with nearly 38 percent of the vote across the country.
In addition to maintaining its lead in large cities such as Istanbul and Ankara, the CHP also made inroads into regions previously considered Erdogan strongholds.
In the days following Imamoglu’s arrest, the CHP drew tens of thousands of people into the streets of Istanbul and many other cities to denounce a “coup d’etat.”
Besides calling people to rally the CHP has managed to put pressure on the authorities by other means, such as the boycott of companies deemed close to the government.
The opposition party called on Turkish people to hold a day-long boycott on purchases last Wednesday in support of the hundreds of students detained since the start of the protests.
That day, many cafes, bars and restaurants in Istanbul and Ankara were deserted as people followed their calls, AFP journalists saw.
“Since Imamoglu’s arrest, Ozgur Ozel has given the CHP the image of a party that listens to the street and leads a tenacious opposition,” said Aksoyoglu.
“This approach has been successful within the CHP and with voters,” the political analyst added.
For Berk Esen, a professor of political science at Istanbul’s Sabanci University, Ozel “may not be a very charismatic speaker but he’s articulate, precise and very critical of those in power.”
“Ozel is at the head of the CHP but has not yet fully assumed the role of leader,” he added. “By pursuing a tenacious opposition to Erdogan, he could strengthen his leadership.”