AI Artist Ai-Da Makes History with Alan Turing Portrait at Sotheby’s Auction

Ai-Da, the world’s first humanoid robot artist powered by artificial intelligence, is set to make history with the sale of her painting at a major auction house. In a groundbreaking event, Sotheby’s will auction Ai-Da’s portrait of Alan Turing, a revered figure in computing history. The portrait, titled AI God, is expected to sell for between $130,000 and $196,000 during the Digital Art Day Auction in London next month.

This significant portrait of Turing, renowned for his pioneering work in computer science and AI, is both haunting and symbolic. The artwork features muted tones and fragmented facial planes, reflecting concerns Turing raised about the potential dangers of AI in the 1950s. Ai-Da, created by a team led by gallery owner Aidan Meller, utilizes AI algorithms, bionic hands, and cameras in her eyes to create her art, blurring the lines between human creativity and machine precision.

This portrait was first exhibited at the United Nations earlier this year as part of the “AI for Global Good Summit.” The upcoming auction, running from October 31 to November 7, explores the intersection of art and technology, showcasing how AI continues to shape the creative landscape.

Ai-Da has previously gained attention for her portraits of music icons at the Glastonbury Festival in 2022, demonstrating the expanding role of AI in both traditional and contemporary art spheres. The sale of AI God marks a new milestone in the world of AI-generated art, raising questions about the future of creativity and the role of machines in this field.

This auction is part of a broader trend where technology increasingly influences art, offering a glimpse into future possibilities and the evolving relationship between human creators and their robotic counterparts.