Christie's Launches AI Art Auction Amidst Controversy Over Copyright

Christie's has launched its first auction dedicated to AI-generated art, titled 'Augmented Intelligence,' featuring about 20 pieces available online until March 5. This move, while marking a milestone for AI in the art world, has sparked controversy. The auction includes works like Charles Csuri's 1966 computer art and Pindar Van Arman's 'Emerging Faces,' created through AI 'conversations.' A petition against the auction has garnered over 6,300 signatures, citing concerns over the use of copyrighted material in AI training models. Artists have filed lawsuits against AI platforms like Midjourney and Stability AI, alleging intellectual property violations. While some artists defend the use of AI, others argue it constitutes theft from human artists.