This week, acclaimed artist Ai-Da, a humanoid robot, unveiled a new portrait of King Charles. In doing so, the robot articulated the inspiration behind the layered and intricate piece, while also emphasizing that it harbors no intentions of “replacing” human artists.
The ultra-realistic robot, recognized as one of the most advanced in the world, is meticulously designed to resemble a human woman, featuring an expressive, lifelike face, large hazel eyes, and brown hair styled in a bob. In contrast, its arms are distinctly robotic, with exposed metal, and can be interchanged to suit the specific art form Ai-Da is currently practicing.
Late last year, Ai-Da gained significant recognition when its portrait of English mathematician Alan Turing became the first artwork by a humanoid robot to be sold at auction, fetching over $1 million. However, as Ai-Da revealed its latest creation—an oil painting titled “Algorithm King,” conceived using artificial intelligence—the humanoid insisted that the artwork’s true importance could not be measured by monetary value.
“The value of my artwork is to serve as a catalyst for discussions that explore ethical dimensions to new technologies,” the robot conveyed to AFP at Britain’s diplomatic mission in Geneva, where the new portrait of King Charles will be housed.
Ai-Da, speaking in a slow, deliberate cadence, emphasized that the underlying idea was to “foster critical thinking and encourage responsible innovation for more equitable and sustainable futures.”
‘Unique and Creative’ Work Explored by AI Artist
During discussions on the sidelines of the United Nations’ AI for Good summit, Ai-Da, who has a portfolio spanning sketches, paintings, and sculptures, elaborated on the methodologies and inspiration that informed its latest work. The world’s first ultra-realistic AI robot artist, Ai-Da, capable of drawing, painting, and performing, is pictured alongside her self-portrait during a press preview of the exhibition ‘Ai-Da: Portrait of the Robot’ at the Design Museum in London, on May 14, 2021. — AFP
“When creating my art, I use a variety of AI algorithms,” the robot explained. “I start with a basic idea or concept that I want to explore, and I think about the purpose of the art. What will it say?”
The humanoid noted that “King Charles has used his platform to raise awareness on environmental conservation and interfaith dialogue. I have aimed this portrait to celebrate” that, adding, “I hope King Charles will be appreciative of my efforts.”
Aidan Meller, a specialist in modern and contemporary art, led the team that developed Ai-Da in 2019, collaborating with artificial intelligence specialists at the universities of Oxford and Birmingham. He informed AFP that he conceptualized the humanoid robot—named after Ada Lovelace, recognized as the world’s first computer programmer—as an ethical arts project, explicitly stating it was not designed “to replace the painters.”
Ai-Da echoed this sentiment. The robot acknowledged, “There is no doubt that AI is changing our world, (including) the art world and forms of human creative expression.” However, it firmly stated, “I do not believe AI or my artwork will replace human artists.”
Instead, Ai-Da articulated that the overarching goal was “to inspire viewers to think about how we use AI positively, while remaining conscious of its risks and limitations.” When posed with the question of whether a painting created by a machine could truly be considered art, the robot asserted, “My artwork is unique and creative.” It concluded by stating, “Whether humans decide it is art is an important and interesting point of conversation.”
