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India Today
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
China enrols robot in theatre PhD, sparks debate on art and AI
The first for China, and possibly the world, a humanoid robot has been admitted to a PhD programme in Drama and Film. Named Xueba 01, the robot will pursue doctoral studies at the Shanghai Theatre Academy, focusing on traditional Chinese announcement was made during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai on July jointly by the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology and DroidUp Robotics, Xueba 01 is designed to interact with humans both verbally and It speaks fluent Mandarin, stands at 1.75 metres tall, weighs 30 kilograms, and is built with silicone skin to mimic facial is a Chinese slang term used to describe a high-performing student. The name seems robot will train under Professor Yang Qingqing, a noted figure in Chinese performing arts. Its coursework includes stage performance, scriptwriting, set design, motion control, and language a rehearsal earlier this year, the robot replicated a famous hand gesture, called the 'orchid fingers', from Peking opera legend Mei Yang noted that human students in the room unconsciously mimicked the robot's movement. She described it as a form of 'aesthetic exchange,' not a human-vs-machine moment. Image: X While it's easy to focus on the machine's hardware or code, the Shanghai Theatre Academy seems more interested in what happens when technology enters a traditionally human space, live robot refers to itself as an 'AI artist' and has expressed a desire to collaborate with classmates, share script ideas, and even provide white noise for it completes the four-year programme, Xueba 01 could become a museum-based opera director, or even start an AI art the development hasn't gone on Chinese social media have raised concerns about priorities. They ask if funding this robotic student might take resources away from real human candidates, some of whom earn less than 3,000 yuan (US$420) question whether a machine, regardless of how refined, can grasp the emotional layers required in live the experiment has sparked widespread interest. Earlier, an older version of Xueba 01 completed a half-marathon in humanoid form and placed third. This step into the world of performance and storytelling, however, may be its boldest move many, the real story isn't about a robot earning a degree. It's about what happens when learning, art, and machines begin to share the same stage.- Ends
Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Humanoid robot in China enrolls for PhD in drama and film. Says, 'If I fail, I'll be donated to a museum'
— jimuglobal (@jimuglobal) Acting, Algorithms and Aesthetic Exchange Applause and Apprehension In a striking convergence of science fiction and the performing arts, China's first humanoid robot Xueba 01 , has been officially admitted into a PhD programme in Drama and Film. The decision, announced during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference on July 27, has ignited a flurry of fascination, admiration, and healthy scepticism across Chinese social to a report from South China Morning Post, developed jointly by the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology and DroidUp Robotics, Xueba 01 stands 1.75 metres tall, weighs around 30 kilograms, and can physically interact with people. Dressed in a crisp shirt, trousers, and glasses, with silicone skin designed for nuanced facial expressions, the robot even communicates fluently in cybernetic scholar's name borrows from a Chinese slang term, xueba, which refers to an academically gifted student. And the name is proving apt. Xueba 01 is now set to embark on a four-year doctoral journey at the Shanghai Theatre Academy (STA), one of China's top institutions for the performing arts, with a focus on traditional Chinese opera According to Shangguan News, Xueba 01 will study under Professor Yang Qingqing, a respected Shanghai-based artist. The robot's curriculum is as ambitious as any human student's: stage performance, scriptwriting, set design, motion control, and language Yang sees more than just a technical marvel. Recalling a rehearsal session where Xueba 01 mimicked the legendary 'orchid fingers' gesture of Peking opera icon Mei Lanfang, Yang shared that human students instinctively mirrored the robot's movement.'When Xueba 01 interacts with his classmates, it is not a cold machine meeting humans, but an aesthetic exchange across species,' said robot calls itself an 'AI artist,' aspiring to forge friendships, exchange ideas on scripts, assist in choreography, and even play calming white noise for stressed peers. If he completes the programme successfully, he could become an opera director in a museum or theatre—or even launch his own AI art many see Xueba 01's admission as a groundbreaking step in blending art and technology, the move has also sparked a spirited online debate.'Chinese opera needs rich expressions and a unique voice,' one student wrote on social media. 'Can a robot really make the cut?'In a witty response, Xueba 01 said, 'If I fail to graduate, my system and data might get downgraded or deleted. Professor Yang said if I don't finish my PhD, they'll donate me to a museum. That sounds pretty cool too. At least I'll be part of art history!'Still, not everyone is amused. Some users questioned whether the resources spent on the robot could have been allocated to real students, pointing out that some arts PhD candidates in China earn less than 3,000 yuan (US$420) a month. Others questioned the emotional depth of AI-generated art, arguing that lived human experience remains irreplaceable in creative earlier version of Xueba 01 once ran a humanoid half-marathon, bagging third place. But this latest leap—into the realm of opera scripts and theatrical nuance—might be his most daring yet.'Xueba 01 is taking on a milestone challenge in human-robot relations,' said one online observer. 'We've finally reached the point of living and learning alongside robots. I hope he does well.'
South China Morning Post
6 days ago
- Science
- South China Morning Post
China first robot accepted into drama and film studies PhD programme becomes online sensation
China's first humanoid robot has been accepted into a PhD programme in drama and film at a top university, causing a social media sensation. Xueba 01 was developed by the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology in partnership with DroidUp Robotics. Xueba is a popular Chinese slang term for a straight-A student known for top scores and deep knowledge. An earlier version of the robot won third place in the world's first humanoid half-marathon. The humanoid robot looks like a 'handsome male adult', according to its creators. Photo: Handout According to the Shanghai-based media outlet Shangguan News, Xueba 01 is 1.75m tall, weighs about 30kg, and can physically interact with people.
