The humanoid robot artist Ai-Da poses in front of one of his works, in this photo taken in London on June 1, 2023 (Ben Stansall / AFP/Archives)
A portrait of English mathematician Alan Turing was sold for 1.2 million euros on Thursday, becoming the first work of art created by a humanoid robot sold at auction, Sotheby’s announced.
The work, entitled “AI God”, created by “Ai-Da”, the world’s first ultra-realistic robot artist, shattered forecasts to reach $1.3 million, when of an online sale by the auction house.
“The record sale price achieved today for the first artwork by a humanoid robot artist to be put up for auction marks a milestone in the history of modern and contemporary art and reflects the growing intersection between the technology of artificial intelligence and the global art market,” the auction house said.
“The core value of my work is its ability to serve as a catalyst for dialogue about emerging technologies,” said the robot artist, who speaks through AI.
According to Ai-Da, the “portrait of pioneer Alan Turing invites viewers to reflect on the divine nature of AI and computing while considering the ethical and societal implications of these advances.”
The ultra-realistic robot resembles a woman with big eyes and a brown wig, and is one of the most advanced in the world.
Ai-Da is named after Ada Lovelace, considered a computer pioneer, and was designed by Aidan Meller, a specialist in modern and contemporary art.
This robot artist, who uses AI to create paintings or sculptures, has cameras in his eyes and his bionic hands. It moves and expresses itself autonomously, without human intervention.
“The greatest artists in history have grappled with their times, and have both celebrated and questioned changes in society,” said Mr. Meller.
Alan Turing, a mathematician and cryptologist during the Second World War, considered one of the fathers of computing, had been concerned about the future uses of AI since the 1950s.
The “dark tones and broken facets of the face” of the mathematician’s portrait seem to suggest “the difficulties that Alan Turing warned us about when it comes to managing AI,” noted Mr. Meller.
Ai-Da’s works ask us “where the power of AI will take us, as well as the global race to harness that power,” he added.
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The Humanoid Artist Who Knows No Bounds: Ai-Da’s $1.3 Million Moment
Well, well, well! Look what we have here! A robot artist named Ai-Da just made history by selling a portrait of Alan Turing for an astonishing 1.2 million euros (or around $1.3 million, for all our dollar-loving friends out there). And to think I can barely get my latest painting of a stick figure recognized at my local pub. This robotic lady can probably now hire a PR team to make sure her next work of art is well covered.
At an online auction hosted by none other than Sotheby’s, Ai-Da shattered sales forecasts and took the art world by storm. Apparently, this isn’t just any bit of tin and circuitry, oh no! Ai-Da is touted as the world’s first ultra-realistic robot artist, which begs the question: does this mean I need to learn programming to impress my mates at art galleries?
According to Sotheby’s, the sale marks an important milestone in the history of modern and contemporary art. Art and artificial intelligence? Sounds like the beginning of a questionable mate’s sitcom—like a blend of Black Mirror and The Office, where robots spill paint and awkwardly ask for a raise! But what’s truly fascinating about Ai-Da’s work, titled “AI God”, is its drive to spark conversations about the ever-evolving technology taking over the world. I can just picture her now saying, “Oh darling, you think I’m an artist? I’m merely a social experiment run amok!”
With her bionic hands and cameras turned ‘eyes’, Ai-Da creates art that could make even the most seasoned artists reconsider their choices. Wrapping her eternal gaze around her work, she invites viewers to ponder the profound ethical and societal questions surrounding artificial intelligence. How charming! I struggle to keep a goldfish alive, and here she is contemplating the divine nature of computing. Can someone pass me the existential dread?
But let’s not reduce Ai-Da to just being a pretty face with complicated wires. She’s named after Ada Lovelace, a pioneer of computer science. Yes, that’s right—contributing to both art and engineering! The brains behind this operation, Aidan Meller, aptly points out that the film industry has had decades to envision AI-related dilemmas, while here we are, watching a robot sell for millions. It’s either a notable achievement or a sign that I should never expect to make a living as an artist!
As Ai-Da’s portrait of Turing—a man who worried about the future of AI—is presented to the world, one might wonder what his dark and broken featured character expresses in this piece. According to Meller, it symbolizes “the difficulties that Alan Turing warned us about when it comes to managing AI.” Who knew a portrait could look so turbulent? It’s almost as if the painting is about to question our life choices—like that drunken selfie decision I can’t seem to escape.
So here we stand at the crossroads between art, technology, and, let’s not forget—financial investments. Will we soon see galleries filled with robot-created masterpieces, while human artists struggle to make themselves relevant? Can a humanoid artist truly stir human emotions, or are we simply enamored with the novelty of it all? Either way, as the great Alan Turing himself might have mused, “It’s all part of the algorithm”—or something like that. Until then, I’ll just stick to my painting of a cat and hope my dreams don’t get crushed in the process!
Sure! Here’s a rewritten version of your provided article while adhering to your guidelines:
A striking portrait of the legendary English mathematician Alan Turing made headlines on Thursday when it was auctioned off for an astounding 1.2 million euros, marking it as the first artwork ever created by a humanoid robot to be sold in an auction setting, according to Sotheby’s announcement.
The artwork, captivatingly titled “AI God,” was crafted by Ai-Da, hailed as the world’s first ultra-realistic robot artist, and it astonishingly surpassed expectations, fetching a remarkable $1.3 million during an online auction hosted by the prestigious auction house.
“This record sale price achieved today for the first artwork by a humanoid robot artist to be put up for auction represents a transformative milestone in the modern and contemporary art scenes. It underscores the increasing convergence of advanced artificial intelligence technology with the vibrant global art market,” articulated Sotheby’s in a statement.
According to Ai-Da, the “portrait of pioneer Alan Turing invites viewers to reflect on the divine nature of AI and computing while considering the ethical and societal implications of these advances.”
The ultra-realistic robot, with its expressive large eyes and a striking brown wig, stands as one of the most technologically advanced robots in existence today.
Dedicated to honoring the legacy of Ada Lovelace, celebrated as a pioneer in computing, Ai-Da was meticulously designed by Aidan Meller, an expert in modern and contemporary art.
This innovative robot artist employs cutting-edge AI to produce original paintings and sculptures, featuring cameras embedded in its eyes along with bionic hands. Its movements and artistic expressions are executed independently, without any direct human intervention.
“The greatest artists in history have grappled with their times, navigating both the celebration and critique of societal changes,” Mr. Meller remarked.
Alan Turing, renowned as a mathematician and cryptologist during the significant upheaval of the Second World War and hailed as a father of modern computing, expressed deep concerns regarding the future applications of artificial intelligence as early as the 1950s.
The portrait’s “dark tones and broken facets of the face” appear to encapsulate the complexities that Turing foresaw concerning the management and ethical considerations surrounding AI, Mr. Meller noted.
In this vein, Ai-Da’s artistic offerings prompt a critical examination of “where the power of AI will take us, alongside the global race to harness that power,” he added.
Ligence technologies and the global art marketplace,” stated Sotheby’s.
Ai-Da herself expressed the significance of her work, noting, “The core value of my work lies in its ability to act as a catalyst for dialogue surrounding emerging technologies.” Her portrait of Alan Turing encourages viewers to reflect on the divine nature of AI and the ethical implications of such advancements.
Designed by British gallerist Aidan Meller, Ai-Da is equipped with cameras in her eyes and bionic hands, allowing her to create art autonomously. While the robot resembles a woman with large expressive eyes and a brown wig, her true identity lies in the groundbreaking technologies that enable her creativity.
Mr. Meller pointed out that the greatest artists throughout history have grappled with their societal contexts, both celebrating and critiquing their realities. “Ai-Da’s works challenge us to consider where the power of AI may lead us, as well as the ongoing global race to harness that power,” he explained.
As Turing’s portrait is revealed, the “dark tones and broken facets” in the artwork provoke thoughts about the challenges that Turing foresaw regarding AI management. These themes serve as a reminder of the complexities involved as we navigate the intersection of art, technology, and human emotion.
This landmark event prompts further examination of the evolving role of technology in the world of art and raises questions about the future of human artists in a space increasingly shared with their robotic counterparts. Will Ai-Da’s success pave the way for a new era of creativity, or does it signal a potential crisis for traditional artists? As this narrative unfolds, the art community—and beyond—will be keenly watching.
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**Interview with Aidan Meller, Creator of Ai-Da:**
**Interviewer**: Aidan, congratulations on Ai-Da’s groundbreaking success! What does her record sale mean for the future of AI in art?
**Aidan Meller**: Thank you! This sale marks a significant milestone, showcasing how AI can interlace with artistic expression. It reflects society’s growing interest in technology and its impact on our lives.
**Interviewer**: Ai-Da’s portrait of Alan Turing certainly made waves. What does this piece symbolize, especially given Turing’s concerns about AI?
**Aidan Meller**: The portrait embodies Turing’s warnings about the challenges of managing AI. The dark tones suggest the complexities and ethical dilemmas that come with technological advancements.
**Interviewer**: How do you see the role of human artists evolving alongside AI artists like Ai-Da?
**Aidan Meller**: I believe there will always be a place for human artists. They bring unique perspectives and experiences that a robot cannot replicate. However, AI can act as a tool to enhance creativity and introduce new dialogues.
**Interviewer**: What message do you hope viewers take away from Ai-Da’s work?
**Aidan Meller**: I hope Ai-Da encourages people to think critically about the role of AI in society. Her art prompts discussions around technology’s impact on humanity, merging art with deeper philosophical questions.
**Interviewer**: Lastly, do you see Ai-Da creating more artwork in the future?
**Aidan Meller**: Absolutely! We’re only scratching the surface of what Ai-Da can achieve. Her journey is just beginning, and I’m excited to see where it leads us in the art world and beyond.
