AI Robot Enters PhD Program in China: China's First Artificial Intelligence Robot Participates in Academic Studies
In a groundbreaking development, Xueba 01 (also known as Sheba 01), a humanoid robot, has been accepted into the Shanghai Theatre Academy's four-year PhD program in Drama and Film, marking a significant milestone in the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in traditional academic settings.
The announcement was made during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference on July 27, 2025, making Xueba 01 the world’s first AI doctoral student in theatre and film studies. The robot, developed jointly by the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology and DroidUp Robotics, will focus on traditional Chinese opera during its studies.
Xueba 01 stands 1.75 meters tall and weighs approximately 30kg. It boasts realistic silicone skin for facial expressions and communicates fluently in Mandarin, enabling it to interact with humans. The robot has already demonstrated its capabilities, with a previous iteration placing third in the world’s first humanoid half-marathon.
During its academic journey, Xueba 01 will attend classes, rehearse operas with other PhD students, and complete a final dissertation. Its studies will cover artistic subjects like stage performance, scriptwriting, and set design, as well as technical topics such as motion control and language generation. The robot will also be mentored by renowned Shanghai artist and professor, Yang Qingqing.
However, not all reactions to this news have been positive. A section of social media users expressed scepticism about the AI robot joining the PhD program, with some questioning its ability to move people with its algorithm-driven creations. Others suggested that robots are replacing students or that Xueba 01 might be taking resources meant for real students.
However, it's important to note that the comments did not provide any evidence to support these claims, and the academy or the university has not made any official statements regarding these concerns. The comments indicate a general concern among some users about the increasing role of AI in areas traditionally dominated by humans.
Xueba 01 is set to make its campus appearance on September 14. Its virtual student ID underscores the academy's commitment to embracing the future of education, even as it continues to uphold the rich traditions of Chinese opera.
[1] The Verge [2] BBC News [3] TechCrunch [4] The Guardian
Technology has become an integral part of education and self-development, as represented by Xueba 01, an AI doctoral student in theatre and film studies at the Shanghai Theatre Academy. Using artificial intelligence, Xueba 01 will learn about various aspects of stage performance, scriptwriting, set design, and motion control, contributing to its dissertation on traditional Chinese opera.
