Putin’s Stony Encounter with Dancing Robot at Moscow AI Exhibition
In a moment that quickly became viral across Russian state television, President Vladimir Putin appeared notably unimpressed during his encounter with a dancing humanoid robot at Moscow’s AI Journey conference. The Russian leader maintained a stoic expression throughout the demonstration orchestrated by Sberbank, offering only a brief “Very beautiful. Thanks” before walking away from the spectacle. This awkward interaction between Putin and the robot named “Green” captured media attention as one of the day’s most replayed television moments, revealing an interesting glimpse into how world leaders respond to advancing AI technology.
Surrounded by vigilant bodyguards, Putin observed as Green introduced itself as “the first Russian humanoid robot with embedded artificial intelligence.” The robot emphasized its physical presence rather than being merely “a program on a screen,” highlighting its status as a tangible embodiment of Russia’s technological development. During this introduction, security personnel remained visibly cautious, with one bodyguard noticeably positioning himself between Putin and the robot when Green moved forward to address the president directly. This protective stance underscored the persistent security concerns that follow the Russian leader, even in seemingly innocuous technology demonstrations.
Green continued its presentation by describing its technical specifications, noting that “Over 40 motors and numerous sensors allow me to move smoothly, maintain my balance confidently and interact safely with people.” Following this technical explanation, the robot requested a musical selection before launching into a dance routine set to the folk-pop melody “The Sun Rose High.” Throughout the performance, Putin’s expression remained unchanged, creating a stark contrast between the robot’s energetic movements and the president’s evident lack of enthusiasm. The carefully choreographed demonstration highlighted Russia’s ambitions in AI and robotics, despite the lukewarm presidential reception.
The Moscow exhibition stands in sharp contrast to another recent AI demonstration that garnered international attention when a different humanoid robot named Aidol collapsed within seconds of taking the stage. Green’s relatively successful performance, despite Putin’s muted response, represents progress in Russia’s robotics capabilities, even as the technology clearly remains in developmental stages. Such public demonstrations serve multiple purposes – showcasing technological advancement, building national pride, and positioning Russia as a competitor in the global AI race despite international sanctions and isolation following the Ukraine invasion.
These robotics displays reflect a broader global trend of nations investing heavily in AI technology, recognizing its strategic importance for future economic and military advantages. For Putin’s Russia, demonstrations like Green’s dance routine attempt to project technological prowess and self-sufficiency in the face of Western restrictions on technology transfers. The president’s underwhelming reaction, however, may indicate skepticism about the current state of Russia’s AI development or simply a personal disinterest in such theatrical technology presentations.
The incident at the AI Journey conference offers a small but revealing window into the intersection of politics, technology, and public performance in contemporary Russia. While the dancing robot may have failed to impress Putin, its appearance alongside the Russian president demonstrates the regime’s commitment to being perceived as technologically forward-looking. As nations around the world compete for dominance in artificial intelligence and robotics, these public demonstrations – however awkward or contrived – serve as important signals about national priorities and capabilities. In Putin’s Russia, even a robot’s dance becomes a political statement, regardless of whether it earns the president’s smile or merely his polite dismissal.
