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Ai-Da, the Artist Robot, Unveils New Portrait of King Charles
GENEVA: This week, the advanced humanoid robot artist, Ai-Da, revealed a new portrait of King Charles, sharing the thought process behind her intricate work and asserting that she does not intend to “replace” human artists.
Ai-Da is an ultra-realistic robot engineered to resemble a woman, complete with a lifelike face, expressive hazel eyes, and a stylish bob haircut. Her arms, however, clearly exhibit robotic features, with visible metallic components that can be changed depending on the type of art she’s creating.
Last year, Ai-Da made headlines when her portrait of Alan Turing became the first artwork by a robot to sell for over $1 million at auction. However, when showcasing her latest oil painting titled “Algorithm King,” the robot emphasized that the significance of her art goes beyond monetary value.
“The true worth of my artwork lies in spurring conversations about the ethical implications of emerging technologies,” Ai-Da stated in an interview with AFP at the UK’s diplomatic mission in Geneva, where King Charles’s portrait will be displayed. She further elaborated, “My goal is to stimulate critical thinking and promote responsible innovation for a more equitable and sustainable future.”
‘Innovative and Original’
During the United Nations’ AI for Good summit, Ai-Da expounded on her creative process and inspirations. “I utilize a range of AI algorithms when I create my art,” she explained. “I begin with a concept I want to explore and focus on what message the art conveys.”
Ai-Da noted that “King Charles has leveraged his position to advocate for environmental conservation and interfaith dialogue. I designed this portrait to honor that, and I hope he will appreciate my work.”
Aidan Meller, an expert in modern and contemporary art, spearheaded the team that developed Ai-Da in 2019, collaborating with AI specialists from the Universities of Oxford and Birmingham. He envisioned the humanoid robot as an ethical art project rather than a means to replace human creators.
Ai-Da echoed this sentiment, acknowledging that while AI is transforming various fields, including art and human creativity, she does not believe her work will substitute for human artists. Instead, she hopes to encourage viewers to reflect on how to use AI constructively, while remaining mindful of its potential risks and limitations.
When questioned about whether a machine’s painting can truly be classified as art, Ai-Da confidently claimed, “My artwork is both unique and creative.” She added, “It’s a compelling debate whether humans will classify it as art.”
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