Latest news with #Xueba01
India Today
03-08-2025
- 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
NDTV
01-08-2025
- Science
- NDTV
'Robots Replacing Students?': China's First AI Robot Joins PhD Programme
Human-level artificial intelligence (AI), popularly referred to as Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) may or may not be near, but China's humanoid robots are not leaving anything to chance. Shanghai Theatre Academy (STA) has accepted an AI robot named Xueba 01 into its four-year PhD programme in Drama and Film, making it the first time a humanoid machine has been granted full doctoral-candidate status. The robot named Xueba 01 has been developed by the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology in partnership with DroidUp Robotics, according to a report in South China Morning Post. STA accepted the robot's application last Sunday (Jul 27) during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference. Xueba 01 will be pursuing a four-year doctorate in Drama and Film, focusing on traditional Chinese opera. It has already been given a virtual student ID, and his mentor will be renowned Shanghai artist and professor Yang Qingqing. The humanoid robot, having the face of a handsome adult male, with detailed facial expressions, owing to its silicone skin, is expected to make an appearance on the campus on September 14. After reporting to the college authorities, Xueba 01 will attend classes, rehearse operas with other PhD students, and complete a final dissertation. It will also study artistic subjects like stage performance, scriptwriting, and set design, as well as technical topics such as motion control and language generation. Standing 1.75m tall and weighing about 30kg, Xueba 01 can physically interact with people, with its previous iteration winning third place in the world's first humanoid half-marathon. 'AI can't move people' As the news of an AI robot joining the PhD programme went viral, a section of social media users expressed scepticism at the development. "Now robots are replacing students," wrote one user, while another added: "Art needs life experience. A robot's algorithm-driven creations cannot truly move people."
Time of India
01-08-2025
- 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.'
Economic Times
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Humanoid robot in China enrolls for PhD in drama and film. Says, 'If I fail, I'll be donated to a museum'
Synopsis Xueba 01, China's first humanoid robot, joins a Drama and Film PhD program. The robot will study at the Shanghai Theatre Academy. It will focus on traditional Chinese opera. Xueba 01 will learn stage performance and scriptwriting. The robot aims to exchange ideas and assist with choreography. This move sparks debate about AI's role in art. iStock In China, Xueba 01, a humanoid robot, joins a PhD program in Drama and Film. Developed by the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology and DroidUp Robotics, Xueba 01 will study at the Shanghai Theatre Academy. (Representational Image: iStock) 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 media. According 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 Mandarin. This 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. — jimuglobal (@jimuglobal) 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 generation. But 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 Yang. The 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 studio. While 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 expression. An 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.'
Hindustan Times
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
China's first robot joins PhD programme in drama and film to study traditional opera
In a groundbreaking move that blends artificial intelligence with the performing arts, China's first humanoid robot, Xueba 01, has been admitted to a doctoral programme in Drama and Film at the Shanghai Theatre Academy (STA). A humanoid robot was enrolled in a top Chinese university's PhD course in drama and film to explore traditional opera.(Representational image/Unsplash) According to a report by the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the robot was officially enrolled on July 27 during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference. Xueba 01, standing at 1.75 metres and weighing about 30 kilograms, was developed jointly by the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology and DroidUp Robotics. The robot resembles a handsome adult male, complete with silicone skin for realistic facial expressions and dressed in glasses, a shirt, and trousers. It communicates fluently in Mandarin and can physically interact with humans. (Also read: Gold rush in China: Locals hunt for jewellery worth ₹12 crore swept away in flood) From marathon runner to doctoral scholar The robot's journey to academia began with a debut in athletics, having secured third place in the world's first humanoid half-marathon. Now, Xueba 01 is set to pursue a four-year PhD focusing on traditional Chinese opera, one of the oldest and most revered forms of Chinese performance art. According to Shangguan News, cited by SCMP, the robot has been issued a virtual student ID and assigned a mentor — renowned Shanghai artist and professor Yang Qingqing. Tuition fees for the programme have not been disclosed. Learning the language of performance Professor Yang stated that the robot will study both artistic and technical disciplines, including stage performance, scriptwriting, set design, motion control, and language generation. Xueba 01 will attend regular classes, rehearse operas with fellow doctoral students, and is expected to submit a final dissertation to complete the programme. 'When Xueba 01 mimicked Mei Lanfang's iconic 'orchid fingers' gesture, students instinctively copied him,' said Yang, referring to the legendary Peking opera star known for his female roles. 'When Xueba 01 interacts with his classmates, it is not a cold machine meeting humans, but an aesthetic exchange across species.' Calling himself an 'AI artist,' Xueba 01 hopes to make friends, discuss scripts, help fine-tune dance sequences, and even play white noise to calm classmates. He aspires to one day become an AI opera director or launch a robotic art studio. However, scepticism remains. One STA student questioned online whether a robot could master the nuanced expressions and vocal depth required for Chinese opera. Xueba 01 replied with humour: 'If I fail to graduate, my system and data might get downgraded or deleted.' He added, '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.'
