In a groundbreaking moment for AI and art, a portrait of English mathematician Alan Turing, created by humanoid robot artist Ai-Da, was sold at Sotheby’s for $1.08 million. The 2.2-meter painting, titled A.I. God. Portrait of Alan Turing, set a record as the first artwork by a robot to be auctioned, with bids far exceeding initial estimates of $120,000 to $180,000.
Sotheby’s hailed the sale as a significant event in the evolving relationship between AI and modern art. Ai-Da, designed to resemble a woman and named after early computing pioneer Ada Lovelace, created the artwork using cameras in her eyes to analyze an image of Turing. Her use of muted tones and broken facial planes subtly pays homage to Turing’s pioneering work and his early concerns about AI.
Aidan Meller, who led the team behind Ai-Da, emphasized that the work invites viewers to reflect on AI’s profound societal impact. Known for her ethereal and haunting pieces, Ai-Da noted, “The value of my work lies in sparking discussions on the ethics and power of emerging technologies.”