A portrait of Alan Turing, a foundational figure in artificial intelligence, fetched a record-breaking $1,084,800 at Sotheby’s Digital Art Sale.
The portrait, titled “A.I God,” was painted by Ai-Da, the world’s first humanoid robot artist, and soared far beyond its initial estimate of $180,000.
This significant sale highlights Turing’s legacy and the emergence of AI-driven creativity in the art world.
Ai-Da was created by British developer and art expert Aidan Meller and named after 19th-century computer pioneer Ada Lovelace, Representing a unique fusion of art and technology.
Developed in 2019 with a team of 30 experts, including AI researchers from Oxford and Birmingham, the humanoid artist is equipped with cameras in its eyes, an AI-powered robotic arm, and sophisticated algorithms that allow it to create intricate artworks. Ai-Da, with its lifelike features and bob haircut, represents the next step in digital art’s evolution.
According to The New York Times, the painting garnered 27 competitive bids before an anonymous American buyer secured it.
“A.I God” portrays Turing as a deity-like figure in AI, a fitting tribute to the mathematician who predicted the impact of intelligent machines in the 1950s.
Meller shared that he initially tasked Ai-Da with creating a piece for an AI conference organized by the United Nations, and the robot suggested Turing as its subject.
To create the portrait, Ai-Da analyzed a photograph of Turing, producing approximately 15 partial sketches of his face.
Three of these, along with a depiction of the decryption machine Turing used during World War II, were digitally combined using a 3D printer to produce the final artwork.
Studio assistants transferred the piece to canvas, while Ai-Da added finishing textures, giving the portrait a human touch.
Meller commented on the broader implications of Ai-Da’s work, noting, “It is about the transferral of agency onto these machines… We are entering an era where algorithms influence our choices in partners, careers, and even family planning.”
This sale not only commemorates Turing’s contributions but also marks a pivotal moment in the relationship between humanity and AI-driven creativity.
