“First Painting by Humanoid Robot Sold for One Million Dollars at Auction”
Who would want a painting made by a robot? I don’t know, but whoever wanted it just spent an incredible amount to buy it.
“AI God” is a painting that represents the famous cryptanalyst Alan Turing and was created by Ai-Da. The artwork, which sold at Sotheby’s auction house in New York for over a million dollars this week, has a striking appearance:
But How Is This Possible?
You might be wondering how a robot can create a painting. According to their website, Ai-Da is “able to draw and paint using cameras in her eyes, AI algorithms, and her robotic arm.”
Ai-Da is the creation of Aidan Meller, who is described as a “specialist in modern and contemporary art.” Meller states that he created Ai-Da with the goal of sparking a dialogue about “the current obsession with technology and its evolving legacy.” It is unclear who will receive the profits from the sale of “AI God,” Ai-Da or Meller.
Sotheby’s auction house released a statement, as quoted by Barron’s, acknowledging the sale: “Today’s record price for the first work of art by a humanoid robot artist to come to auction marks a watershed moment in the history of modern and contemporary art, and reflects the growing intersection between AI technology and the global art market.”
The Future Arrived Long Ago…
“The portrait of Turing created by Ai-Da not only honors his legacy but also explores the transformative impact of technology on human identity, creativity, and autonomy, making her work a significant milestone in both art and AI,” according to Sotheby’s website. Earlier this year, Ai-Da exhibited “AI God” as part of a five-panel polyptych at the United Nations during a summit in Geneva.
After the piece was sold, Ai-Da stated: “The key value of my work is its ability to serve as a catalyst for dialogue on emerging technologies.”
