A technology expo in Iran has gone viral worldwide after visitors discovered that the advanced artificial intelligence robots on display were not machines at all, but human performers wearing costumes. The incident occurred at the Kish Inox Tech Expo, an event promoted as a platform to showcase innovation, future technologies, and Iran’s growing role in the global tech space.
Videos from the expo quickly spread across social media, drawing millions of views and sparking widespread discussion. What initially appeared to be humanoid robots showcasing artificial intelligence capabilities turned out to be actors dressed in white bodysuits decorated with ones and zeroes, a visual reference to computer code.
At one of the booths, two performers, a man and a woman, were presented as advanced humanoid robots. They wore matching futuristic outfits, tinted glasses, and makeup designed to give them a robotic appearance. Their movements were slow and mechanical, and they responded to visitors with short, scripted lines filled with technical language about data, artificial intelligence, and digital systems.
🔴 Hilarious!
The Islamist regime in Iran showcased humans in cheap robot costumes with flimsy makeup as “humanoid robots” at its Tech Expo, and it immediately became the subject of ridicule on social media.
At the 2025 Kish Inox Tech Expo, human performers in low-quality… pic.twitter.com/igGpjv6o5Q
— Shayan News (@ShayanNews) November 13, 2025In several videos, the performers introduced themselves as intelligent entities made of shared data codes and claimed to have AI-like abilities. At first glance, many visitors believed they were seeing early-stage humanoid robots or experimental AI assistants.
Social media users quickly pointed out details that did not match real robotics. Viewers noticed natural skin tones, acne scars, blinking eyes, normal breathing, and subtle facial expressions. In one widely shared clip, a performer was seen casually adjusting her gloves, a gesture that further fueled skepticism.
“These robots blink, breathe, and make eye contact,” one user wrote. Another joked that the display looked more like a stage play than a technology demonstration.
Within hours, the story turned into a viral sensation. Memes, jokes, and critical comments flooded the internet, with many calling the incident embarrassing and misleading.
Following the online backlash, expo officials and Iranian media issued clarifications. Representatives stated that the performers were part of a short theatrical presentation created by a private exhibitor, not the official organizers of the Kish Inox Tech Expo.
Hossein Afshin, a senior Iranian official for Science, Technology, and the Knowledge-Based Economy, addressed the controversy on the sidelines of a government meeting. He explained that the decision was made by one company for advertising purposes and was not part of the expo’s official plan.
“This was not an idea of the exhibition or its policymakers,” he said, adding that the company involved must take responsibility for the confusion caused.
Iranian outlets also denied claims that the country was attempting to pass humans off as real robots, stressing that there was no official statement claiming the performers were actual machines.
According to later explanations, the performance was intended as a creative marketing display designed to attract attention to the booth. However, critics argue that the lack of a clear explanation misled visitors and damaged the event’s credibility.
Some attendees said they felt disappointed. One visitor shared that he initially believed he was seeing a prototype humanoid assistant. “The moment she made eye contact, I realized something was wrong,” he said. Another attendee described the experience as “entertaining, but confusing.”
Experts say tech expos carry a responsibility to be transparent, especially as public interest in AI continues to rise. Overpromising or using theatrical displays without a clear context can weaken trust in genuine technological progress.
