“AI God: Robot-Painted Portrait of Alan Turing to be Auctioned at Sotheby’s”

The world of art is about to be revolutionized with the upcoming auction of ‘AI God,’ a painting created by the humanoid robot Ai-Da. This groundbreaking piece, depicting computer pioneer Alan Turing, is set to go under the hammer at Sotheby’s from October 31–November 7, with an estimated price tag of over $120,000.

Ai-Da, the first of its kind robot built by an Oxford-based research group, uses cameras to capture visual inputs which are then processed by onboard graphics algorithms to create generative images. With some human guidance and adjustments, these digital designs are brought to life on paper using paint brushes controlled by Ai-Da’s two bionic arms.

The team behind Ai-Da, including gallerist Aidan Meller, Oxford University researchers, and robotics company Engineered Arts, have been pushing the boundaries of what is possible with robotic artistry. Dressing Ai-Da in various outfits and even jewelry, they have showcased its talents at prestigious events such as TED Talks and in front of the UK’s House of Lords.

The philosophy driving this project is rooted in Donna Haraway’s 1985 Cyborg Manifesto, which challenges the traditional boundaries between humans, animals, and machines. As Ai-Da’s artwork gains recognition and is displayed globally, the question arises – is robotic painting a passing fad or a lasting trend?

With the art world constantly evolving, the rise of AI in creative endeavors raises questions about copyright, payment structures, and the future of art itself. Perhaps, as one artist claimed, “art is dead,” but with Ai-Da and other AI artists on the rise, it seems that art is simply taking on a new form in the digital age.