Later this month, Sotheby’s will host its first-ever auction featuring artwork created by a humanoid robot, marking a significant moment in both the art world and the evolution of artificial intelligence. The robot, named Ai-Da, contributed a mixed-media portrait titled “AI God,” depicting Alan Turing, the renowned mathematician and computer scientist who laid the foundation for modern computing and artificial intelligence. Turing, famous for his work during World War II and for creating the Turing Test, which assesses whether a machine can exhibit human-like intelligence, is an apt subject for a portrait by Ai-Da, as his contributions resonate deeply with today’s technological advancements.
The portrait, measuring 64 by 90.5 inches and signed with the letter “A” by Ai-Da, is expected to fetch between $120,000 and $180,000 when it goes up for auction on October 31. Ai-Da, a project conceived by U.K. art dealer Aidan Meller, is considered the world’s first ultra-realistic humanoid robot artist. Ai-Da can physically draw and paint using a combination of cameras in her eyes, artificial intelligence algorithms, and a robotic arm, making her creations distinct from other AI-generated artworks, which often lack this direct physical component.
What makes Ai-Da’s art particularly notable, according to Meller, is the tangible presence of a robot creating the work. This, he says, marks a shift in how we perceive art, especially as the role of AI and robotics expands in society. “There is a lot of innovation happening—a huge number of robots are coming forward—and they will eventually do all sorts of different tasks,” Meller told CBS MoneyWatch. He believes that art serves as a medium through which society can explore the sweeping changes brought about by technological advancements, and Ai-Da’s portrait is part of that exploration. The proceeds from Ai-Da’s artwork will be reinvested into maintaining and further developing the robot, as powering such advanced technology comes at a significant cost.
The upcoming auction, which Sotheby’s is calling “Digital Art Day,” will feature a wide range of digital and AI-generated works, with Ai-Da’s portrait as a headlining piece. Michael Bouhanna, Sotheby’s Head of NFT and Digital Art, expressed enthusiasm for the event, stating that Ai-Da’s portrait pushes the boundaries of artistic creation in the 21st century. He added that the entire collection prompts viewers to reflect on how they appreciate and experience the rapidly evolving landscape of artmaking today. This auction reflects the broader digital art movement, which has been gaining momentum in recent years, particularly with the rise of NFTs and AI-assisted creativity.
Ai-Da’s artistic journey began before this auction announcement, having previously captured media attention for her work at the Glastonbury Music Festival in 2022, where she made portraits of prominent performers. However, this auction represents a new milestone as it is the first time a humanoid robot’s artwork of this caliber has been included in such a prestigious sale. The mixed-media portrait of Turing, first displayed at the United Nations in May of this year, is an especially fitting tribute to a figure whose work is foundational to the very technology that enabled Ai-Da to create art.
While the introduction of AI-generated art into the market is innovative, it also presents challenges, particularly when it comes to assigning value. Traditional art valuation relies on the artist’s reputation, technique, and historical significance, but AI art complicates this process. Works like Ai-Da’s blur the lines between human and machine creativity, raising questions about authorship, originality, and how much weight should be given to the role of the algorithm versus the human engineer behind the robot. This auction will likely spark ongoing debate about the future of art and the place of AI within it.
For Sotheby’s, the inclusion of Ai-Da’s work is not only a bid to showcase cutting-edge technology but also a statement about the future of art auctions. As digital art and AI-generated works continue to gain popularity, auction houses like Sotheby’s are positioning themselves at the forefront of this movement, offering collectors new ways to engage with the art world. Bouhanna pointed out that Ai-Da’s portrait will be part of a collection that includes other notable pieces from digital art collections like GRAILS: Property from an Iconic Collection and GRAILS: Starry Night, both of which represent a growing interest in digital and algorithmically-created works.
Meller, the creator of Ai-Da, believes that the intersection of robotics, AI, and art offers a unique opportunity to reflect on the broader societal impact of these technologies. As AI continues to transform various industries, from healthcare to manufacturing, its influence on creative fields is just beginning to be fully realized. Meller sees Ai-Da as part of a larger conversation about how technology is changing not only how we work and live but also how we express ourselves artistically. He views art as a powerful way to engage with these complex issues, and Ai-Da’s work invites viewers to consider the role of machines in human creativity.
Despite the excitement surrounding Ai-Da’s auction debut, there remains a degree of uncertainty about how the market will respond to her work. The art world can be notoriously difficult to predict, especially when it comes to new and untested mediums like AI-generated art. However, Meller is optimistic that Ai-Da’s unique approach—combining physical creation with digital innovation—will resonate with collectors and spark further interest in the possibilities of robotic art.
In summary, Sotheby’s upcoming auction featuring Ai-Da’s artwork marks a historic moment in the intersection of technology and art. As the first humanoid robot artist to have her work auctioned by a major house, Ai-Da’s “AI God” portrait of Alan Turing is a symbolic representation of both the past and future of artificial intelligence. The auction not only highlights the growing presence of AI in creative fields but also raises important questions about how we define art in the age of machines. With Ai-Da’s work, Sotheby’s is opening a new chapter in the art world, one that embraces the possibilities of 21st-century innovation while honouring the legacy of pioneers like Turing, whose contributions made such advancements possible.
