A British-made artist robot has been released from Egyptian customs after 10 days, just hours before she was due to appear at the opening of an art exhibition at the Pyramids of Giza on Thursday.
Ai-da and her sculpture were detained because of concerns about her modem, a device that connects her to the internet, and cameras mounted in her eyes.
Both were released late on Wednesday after the British ambassador intervened.
“The embassy is glad to see that Ai-da the artist robot has now been cleared through customs,” the British embassy in Cairo said in a statement to The National.
“Customs clearance procedures can be lengthy, and are required before importation of any artworks or IT equipment. We’re glad to see that this particular case has now been resolved,” it said.
The Egyptian Customs Authority did not respond to a request for comment.
Ai-da was due to participate as a special guest in the Forever is Now exhibition at the pyramids. The show, which runs until November 7, features 10 international contemporary artists and is organised by Art d’Egypte in partnership with the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
UK-based gallery owner Aidan Meller, the creator of Ai-Da, told The Guardian that the situation was “really stressful” and thanked the British embassy and Art d’Egypte for securing her release.
He said he was willing to “ditch the modems” but “can’t really gouge her eyes out”.
Named after the 19th-century British computing pioneer Ada Lovelace, Ai-Da was built two years ago by a team of programmers, roboticists, art experts and psychologists.
Two Egyptian engineers, Salah El Abd and Ziad Abbas, were part of the development team, according to Art d’Egypte.
Ai-Da, the world’s first ultra-realistic artist robot, draws using cameras in her eyes, AI algorithms and her robotic arm. Her work has been displayed at the University of Oxford, London’s Design Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Her 2 x 2.5-metre sculpture for the Pyramids exhibition plays on an ancient riddle of the Sphinx: “What goes on four feet in the morning, two feet at noon, and three feet in the evening?”
The answer is a human – referring to toddlers who crawl, adults who walk and the elderly who need a cane to support themselves.
Ai-Da will have a solo exhibition at the Cairo International Art District, organised by Art d’Egypte in parallel with the Forever is Now show, starting on Sunday until October 27.
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
The five pillars of Islam
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Zayed Sustainability Prize
MATCH INFO
Group B
Bayern Munich v Tottenham, midnight (Thursday)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shantanu Maheshwari, Jimmy Shergill, Saiee Manjrekar
Director: Neeraj Pandey
Rating: 2.5/5
The specs
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Credit Score explained
What is a credit score?
In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.
Why is it important?
Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.
How is it calculated?
The AECB collects information on your payment behaviour from banks as well as utilitiy and telecoms providers.
How can I improve my score?
By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.
How do I know if my score is low or high?
By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.
How much does it cost?
A credit report costs Dh100 while a report with the score included costs Dh150. Those only wanting the credit score pay Dh60. VAT is payable on top.
