What’s the story
In a historic first, renowned auction house Sotheby’s will sell its first artwork created by an artificial intelligence (AI) humanoid robot.
The piece, titled “A.I. God. Portrait of Alan Turing (2024),” has been created by Ai-Da Robot, an artist robot conceived by British gallerist Aidan Meller.
The event marks a major milestone in the intersection of art and technology.
Ai-Da’s art reflects societal changes
Meller, speaking to CNN‘s Anna Stewart, stressed that Ai-Da’s art is a reflection of society’s relationship with technology.
He said, “All the greatest artists, if you look in the past, are those that really resonate with the changes and shifts in society and explore that through their artwork.”
This view highlights the role of art as a mirror to societal evolution.
Portrait of Alan Turing: A tribute to an AI pioneer
The artwork to be auctioned at Sotheby’s is a portrait of Alan Turing, an English mathematician and World War II cryptanalyst. Turing is widely recognized as a trailblazer in the fields of AI and computer science.
The portrait was exhibited earlier this year in Geneva at a United Nations global summit on AI, further emphasizing its significance in the tech world.
Sotheby’s estimates and acceptance of cryptocurrency
Sotheby’s has estimated the painting will go for anywhere between $120,000 and $180,000 at the auction on October 31.
In a nod to modern technology trends, the auction house will also accept cryptocurrency for the transaction.
Meller has revealed plans to reinvest his share of the proceeds back into further development of the Ai-Da project.
Ai-Da: A unique artist challenging traditional art perceptions
Meller has likened his creation, Ai-Da, to Marcel Duchamp’s revolutionary impact on art.
He said just like Duchamp changed how we perceive art, Ai-Da is changing our view of the artist and humanity.
The robot creates art using cameras in her eyes and robotic arms.
This innovative approach challenges traditional notions of what it means to be an artist and reflects the evolving definition of human identity in a technologically advanced society.