AI God: 2.2-Meter Portrait Set for Auction at Sotheby’s

A 2.2-meter-tall portrait titled ‘AI God’ could sell for up to €180,000 at the AI-powered robot artwork auction. The robot artist Ai-Da, a humanoid powered by artificial intelligence, will be the first AI-powered robot to have its artwork sold by a major auction house, as organizers announced.

Introduction to the Auction

Sotheby’s will auction the piece in November in London. They described it as a “haunted” portrait of English mathematician Alan Turing, who is considered the father of modern computing. The portrait, titled “AI God,” could sell for between £100,000 and £150,000 (between €120,000 and €180,000). Moreover, the online auction, which includes a range of digital art forms, will explore the intersection of art and technology, as stated by Sotheby’s.

The Robot Artist Ai-Da

The ultra-realistic robot resembles a woman with large eyes and a brown wig. Ai-Da is among the most advanced robots in the world. She runs on artificial intelligence algorithms, uses cameras in her eyes, and has bionic hands. Therefore, she can create art in a way that blurs the line between human and machine creativity.

Creation and Development of Ai-Da

Aidan Meller, gallery owner and founder of the Ai-Da Robot studio, led the team that created Ai-Da. He collaborated with artificial intelligence experts from Oxford and Birmingham universities in the UK. As a result, they developed one of the most sophisticated robotic artists. Consequently, Ai-Da’s abilities have impressed both the art and technology communities.

Turing’s Early AI Warnings

Meller noted that mathematician and computer scientist Turing, famous for breaking World War II codes, raised concerns about the use of artificial intelligence as far back as the 1950s. Consequently, his warnings remain relevant today.

“The muted tones and fragmented facial contours of the artwork reflect struggles over the control of artificial intelligence, which Turing warned about,” Meller said.

The Impact of Ai-Da’s Work

Ai-Da’s works are described as “ethereal and haunting.” Furthermore, they continue to raise questions about where the power of artificial intelligence and the global race to harness it will lead us, Meller added. As a result, her art serves as a powerful commentary on the impact of technology on human life.

Ai-Da’s Recent Projects

In 2022, Ai-Da created portraits of performers who appeared at Glastonbury, including Billie Eilish, Diana Ross, Kendrick Lamar, and Paul McCartney. These projects have brought significant attention to her capabilities. Moreover, they demonstrate the potential of artificial intelligence in creating culturally relevant art.

The Future of AI and Art

As technology advances, the collaboration between AI and art will likely become even more prominent. Artists and technologists are beginning to understand the vast potential of combining human creativity with machine intelligence. Thus, projects like Ai-Da’s help to bridge the gap between these two worlds, showing us new possibilities. Therefore, the future of art may be redefined by the fusion of human and artificial intelligence.