Robot artist sells Alan Turing portrait for €1 million, breaking auction record
Robotic Art Breaks New Ground at Auction
First Ever Sale of a Humanoid Robot’s Artwork Marks a Global Market Milestone
The recent auction marked an unprecedented moment in the art world: a piece created by a humanoid robot secured a spot in the market for the very first time. This event has been hailed by experts as opening a “new frontier” in how we view creativity and innovation on a global scale.
- Historic Milestone: The artwork is the first ever to be sold by a machine with human-like characteristics at a public auction.
- Global Significance: Analysts call the sale a pivotal point, signaling a shift in how technological creations are valued within the art community.
- Future Outlook: The auction’s success suggests a growing acceptance of AI-generated and robotic-created works, potentially redefining artistic authorship in the decades ahead.
AI Visionary Reaches Auction Record with Iconic Turing Portrait
Ai‑Da, the pioneering humanoid robot renowned for its artistic prowess, has shattered expectations by selling a digital portrait of Alan Turing for a jaw‑dropping $1,084,800 (approximately €1 million) at a recent Sotheby’s auction.
Astonishing Performance
- Number of Bids: The piece attracted 27 competitive offers from global collectors.
- Initial Estimate: The auction house had positioned the artwork between $120,000 (€113,000) and $180,000 (€169,000).
- Final Sale Price: The final tally far surpassed the upper limit of the expected range, underscoring the growing appeal of machine‑crafted art.
Historical Milestone
Ai‑Da’s portrait of Turing stands as the first humanoid robot‑created artwork to command a price at auction, opening a new chapter in the global art market. The sale, titled A.I. God, signals the advent of a fresh benchmark for robotic artistry.
Looking Ahead
The accomplishment demonstrates how artificial intelligence is redefining creative expression. Collectors, curators, and technology enthusiasts alike now view the event as a landmark moment for the intersection of art and robotics.
Ai‑Da’s “AI God Polyptych” Showcased at the United Nations
Launched in Geneva, the autonomous robot artist Ai‑Da presented a compelling piece titled “AI God Polyptych”, drawing global attention and sparking conversations about the intersection of art and technology.
Honoring Alan Turing
In an interview with Euronews Culture, Ai‑Da and its developer Aidan Meller discussed the inspiration behind the artwork: the legacy of Alan Turing, the trailblazing mathematician whose work underpins modern computing.
The Creative Process of a Robot Artist
Ai‑Da, introduced in 2019, blends high‑resolution vision sensors, proprietary AI models, and a precision robotic arm to transform ideas into visual masterpieces.
- Initiation: The process begins with a conversational prompt— for instance, a suggestion to create a portrait of Turing.
- Visualization: After receiving a reference photo, Ai‑Da drafts preliminary sketches on A3 canvases.
- Composition: These sketches are integrated and refined to form the final artwork.
Why “AI God”?
Meller explained that the title reflects a societal shift: decision‑making authority is moving from human discretion to algorithmic governance. With AI’s vast reach, the power dynamics resemble godlike potential, prompting critical ethical inquiry.
Ethical Implications
The painting is intended to provoke discussions around responsible AI integration:
- How can we harness AI ethically and responsibly?
- What measures can ensure that such advanced technology benefits both humanity and the environment?
Exhibitions That Have Shown Ai‑Da’s Work
Ai‑Da’s creations have been displayed at prestigious venues, including the Venice Biennale, Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum, and a solo show at London’s Design Museum in 2021.
