In a groundbreaking event, Ai-Da, the ultra-realistic humanoid robot, is set to auction her artwork titled AI God, a portrait of mathematician Alan Turing, at Sotheby's in England. This marks the first time a robot artist will have a piece sold by a prestigious auction house.
The artwork, measuring 2.2 meters tall, is expected to fetch between £120,000 and £180,000 (approximately R$890,000 to R$1.3 million). Ai-Da, named after computing pioneer Ada Lovelace, aims to honor Turing's contributions to modern computing and spark discussions about creativity and the boundaries between human and machine.
Ai-Da's journey has been anything but ordinary. Earlier this year, she made headlines when she was detained in Egypt under suspicion of espionage due to her camera-equipped eyes and modem. After a ten-day hold-up, she was released and went on to exhibit at the Venice Biennale.
Her creator, Aidan Meller, emphasized that Ai-Da is an artist, not a spy, and her mission is to raise awareness about the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, including its role in the arts. Ai-Da's unique ability to capture images and create art through algorithms showcases the intersection of technology and creativity.
As the auction approaches, Ai-Da's story continues to capture public imagination, challenging perceptions of art and the role of artificial intelligence in society.