Hassan Khan
The recent Iran Tech Expo had an unexpected plot twist that turned it into the week’s most talked-about tech story. What many visitors believed were “Advanced AI robots” proudly showcased at the event were, in reality, just people wearing white bodysuits printed with ones and zeroes. No robotics, no fancy engineering just actors doing their best robot impressions.
The buzz started when visitors began recording the so-called robots. At first glance, the performers looked convincing: tinted visors, stiff movements, and short pre-planned responses. But things quickly fell apart when viewers online noticed details that didn’t match real robotics natural facial expressions, quick gestures, and even one actor casually adjusting her gloves mid-conversation. Within a few hours, the videos spread across social media, and the expo unintentionally became the subject of jokes, memes, and heated debates.
Expo officials later clarified that the “Robots” were not part of the official showcase. The idea came from a private exhibitor trying to attract attention to their booth. According to the organizers, the company didn’t properly explain that the characters were actors, which led visitors to think they were witnessing actual robot prototypes.
People reacted in mixed ways. Some found it hilarious, saying the whole thing felt like a low-budget sci-fi movie scene. Others felt misled, arguing that tech events should be more transparent especially at a time when AI and robotics already face a lot of exaggerated marketing.
One attendee shared that he initially believed he was looking at an early version of a humanoid assistant. “But the moment she made eye contact, I knew something was off,” he said. Another joked that the performance was “more theater than technology.”
Despite the confusion, the story added an amusing chapter to the ongoing conversation about tech hype. It’s a reminder that in today’s world where AI is evolving fast sometimes the line between innovation and performance becomes surprisingly thin.
