First Artwork by Humanoid Robot: In a groundbreaking moment for both the art world and artificial intelligence, Ai-Da, the world’s first ultra-realistic robot artist, has sold her first artwork at auction for a staggering $1.32 million. The portrait, titled “A.I. God,” depicts renowned English mathematician and computer scientist Alan Turing and was auctioned at Sotheby’s Digital Art Sale on Thursday, far surpassing pre-sale expectations of $180,000.
The 2.2-meter-tall portrait created by Ai-Da robot, named after Ada Lovelace—the first computer programmer—was the first artwork ever sold at auction by a humanoid robot. The auction house hailed the sale as a historic moment in modern and contemporary art, reflecting the growing intersection between AI technology and the global art market.
Ai-Da, a robot designed to resemble a human woman with large eyes, a face, and a brown wig, uses artificial intelligence to create artworks. Her ability to generate ideas comes from conversations with human studio members, with her latest piece being inspired by a discussion about “A.I. for good.” She used her advanced cameras to study a picture of Turing and then began the process of creating the portrait.
The portrait’s “muted tones and broken facial planes” were interpreted by the team as a reflection of the struggles Turing predicted in managing AI and its societal impacts. Turing, known for his work in cracking codes during World War II, was also a pioneer in computer science who raised early concerns about the ethical use of AI in the 1950s.
The artwork, described as “ethereal and haunting,” continues Ai-Da’s mission to provoke dialogue about the role of AI in society, its potential, and the ethical considerations it raises. Ai-Da herself commented on the value of her work, stating that it serves as a catalyst for important conversations about emerging technologies.
Ai-Da’s debut auction sale marks an unprecedented step in the fusion of technology and art, and with the art market continuing to embrace digital creations, her future contributions to contemporary art are bound to challenge and inspire new discussions about the role of AI in creative industries.
