In a groundbreaking moment for art and technology, Ai-Da, the world’s first humanoid AI artist, is making history. Her abstract portrait, titled “AI God”, is slated for auction at Sotheby’s with bids starting at an impressive $120,000. The piece, which pays tribute to Alan Turing, one of the pioneers of artificial intelligence, marks the first time a major auction house has sold a painting created by a robot.
Ai-Da, developed by Aidan Meller in collaboration with researchers from Oxford University and Engineered Arts, uses cameras and AI algorithms to capture and process visual inputs, translating them into generative art. The robot’s bionic arms then recreate the designs using paint, producing abstract works that merge human and machine creativity. “AI God”, which depicts Turing’s disjointed face, was previously displayed at the United Nations as part of the AI for Global Good Summit.
Ai-Da’s portrait explores themes central to Turing’s legacy, particularly the ethical questions surrounding AI. Turing famously predicted in the 1950s that machines would eventually rival human intelligence, a prophecy that continues to shape debates today. By immortalizing him in “AI God,” Ai-Da invites reflection on how far AI has come and where it is headed.
With the auction set to run from October 31 to November 7, “AI God” is poised to become a symbol of the ongoing fusion of technology and art. Ai-Da’s work, inspired by feminist and transhumanist philosophies, offers a profound commentary on the evolving relationship between humans and machines, echoing the writings of Donna Haraway in her Cyborg Manifesto
As this unique creation goes under the hammer, all eyes will be on the sale that could redefine the future of both the art world and artificial intelligence.
