AI Robot's Painting Could Fetch Big Bucks at Auction

This month, Sotheby's is putting up an unusual piece of art for sale: a portrait created by an AI robot named Ai-Da. The painting, called "A. I. God. Portrait of Alan Turing (2024), " is expected to sell for between $120, 000 and $180, 000. Ai-Da, who was created by British gallerist Aidan Meller, uses cameras in her eyes and robotic arms to create art. She's not just a pretty face, though. Ai-Da has even spoken at the UK's House of Lords about her unique perspective on art and technology.

Meller believes Ai-Da's work highlights society's relationship with technology and reflects how art can mirror societal changes. The portrait of Alan Turing, a pioneer in AI and computer science, was displayed at a UN global summit on AI earlier this year. It's the first time a work by a robot of this type is up for auction, and Sotheby's will accept cryptocurrency for the sale. Critics have praised Ai-Da's appearance, but Meller argues her value lies in sparking conversations about emerging technologies. Ai-Da herself says her work serves as a dialogue about these technologies and draws inspiration from respectful portrayals of the human form in art. Sotheby's will be the first to test the value of AI-created art at auction. They've secured a third-party guarantee for the lot to be safe.

Actions