A Portrait Sold for 1.8 Billion Won... Who Is This Artist Behind the Big Hit? 'Surprise'

Humanoid Robot's Portrait Sold for 1.8 Billion KRW
Portrait of Mathematician Alan Turing, Known as the 'Father of AI'

A portrait painted by an artificial intelligence (AI) humanoid robot (human-like robot) was sold for over 1.8 billion won, AFP reported on the 7th (local time).

Humanoid robot artist 'Ai-Da' posing in front of a painting she created
[Photo by AFP Yonhap News]

The 2.2-meter portrait of mathematician Alan Turing titled "A.I GOD," painted by Ai-DA, the world's first surrealist robot artist, was auctioned for $1.32 million (about 1.83 billion won) at the Sotheby's London digital art sale. The auction was initially expected to range between $1.12 million (about 1.7 billion won) and $180,000 (about 250 million won), but it sold for a price far exceeding that estimate.

The artwork depicts Alan Turing, a British genius mathematician known as the father of computers or the father of AI. The piece was also exhibited earlier at the "AI for Good Global Summit 2024" held in Geneva, Switzerland. Aidan Meller, who developed Ai-DA, said, "Alan Turing, the subject of the portrait, sparked fears about the power of AI from the early 1950s by decoding World War II codes," adding that this work "raises questions about where the power of AI will lead us."

Ai-DA, a robot operated using AI algorithms, has the face of a human woman with large eyes and a brown wig, equipped with camera eyes and biomechanical hands. It uses the cameras in its eyes and robotic arms to paint. Ai-DA explained, "The core value of my work is to act as a catalyst for dialogue about new technologies," and added, "This painting encourages viewers to contemplate the ethical and social impacts of technological advancement and the 'god-like essence' of AI."

Sotheby's, which conducted the auction, stated, "The record-breaking sale of the first artwork submitted by a humanoid robot artist marks a milestone in modern and contemporary art history," and noted, "It is an example showing the growing intersection between AI technology and the international art market."

Earlier, Meller announced plans to reinvest part of the proceeds into the Ai-DA project.