An AI robot's depiction of Alan Turing, the pioneer of modern computing, has achieved a historic milestone by selling for an astonishing $1.3 million (€1.22 million) at auction. Sotheby's reported that the digital artwork, titled A.I. God, garnered 27 bids and significantly surpassed initial estimates.

Initially anticipated to fetch between $120,000 (€113,000) and $180,000 (€169,000), the piece, crafted by Ai-Da—the world's first lifelike humanoid robot artist—marks a significant breakthrough as the first artwork by a humanoid robot to be auctioned. The auction house asserts that the sale "opens a new chapter in the global art market, setting the auction standard for works by humanoid robots."

Prior to the auction, Euronews Culture engaged in an online video call with Ai-Da and her creator, Aidan Meller: "Alan Turing was an exceptionally talented mathematician and innovative thinker. I'm pleased that this artwork, showcased at the United Nations in Geneva, highlights his contributions," stated the humanoid robot. Ai-Da, developed in 2019, employs high-tech cameras in her eyes, sophisticated AI algorithms, and a specially-designed robotic arm to draw and paint. Her work has garnered international acclaim, exhibited at renowned venues such as the Venice Biennale, Oxford's Ashmolean Museum, and headlining a solo show at London's Design Museum in 2021.

Ai-Da cannot create art independently; each piece begins with an initial conversation using her AI language model, such as suggesting Alan Turing for a portrait. After viewing a photograph of Turing, she produces a series of preliminary sketches and paintings on A3 canvases, which are then merged to form the final artwork. Aidan Meller, Ai-Da's creator, elucidated the significance behind the portrait's title: "This portrait is aptly named 'AI God'. The title symbolizes a significant transformation: decisions are transitioning from human control, where individuals have full agency, to algorithms increasingly dictating our choices. There is a shift in decision-making authority, and with AI's immense potential, we may be approaching godlike capabilities that could influence vast populations."

He further added: "The aspiration is that this painting will spark profound ethical inquiries as we continue to leverage AI in novel ways. How do we ethically and responsibly utilize this technology? And how can we ensure it benefits the planet and humanity, given its immense power?"

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