• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

‘Take time in quiet’: Melinda French Gates says to spend at least 10 minutes a day on self-care

2

Harry and Meghan's homecoming comes with a multimillion-dollar tax catch—waiting four years could have shielded their $60 million fortune

3

Current price of oil as of August 21, 2026

1

‘Take time in quiet’: Melinda French Gates says to spend at least 10 minutes a day on self-care

2

Harry and Meghan's homecoming comes with a multimillion-dollar tax catch—waiting four years could have shielded their $60 million fortune

3

Current price of oil as of August 21, 2026
TechAI

Art made by humanoid robot sells for $1 million at auction

By
Chris Morris
Chris Morris
Former Contributing Writer
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Chris Morris
Chris Morris
Former Contributing Writer
Down Arrow Button Icon
November 11, 2024, 11:43 AM ET
"A.I. God. Portrait of Alan Turing" was made by a robot artist called Ai-da.
"A.I. God. Portrait of Alan Turing" was made by a robot artist called Ai-da.Getty Images
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Artists might still be wary and skeptical of artwork by artificial intelligence, but art collectors are seemingly on board.

Sotheby’s recently held an auction for the first artwork made by a humanoid robot. And while the company was expecting the sale to fall between $120,000 and $180,000, the piece ultimately went for over $1 million, after a fierce round that saw 27 bids.

The art, entitled A.I. God. Portrait of Alan Turing, was made by a robot artist called Ai-da (a hat tip to computer programmer Ada Lovelace). The robot project is headed by Aidan Meller, who has over 25 years’ worth of experience in the art world. Meller says part of Ai-da’s purpose is to blur human/machine relations.

“The greatest artists in history grappled with their period of time, and both celebrated and questioned society’s shifts,” he told AI for Good. “Ai-Da Robot as technology, is the perfect artist today to discuss the current obsession with technology and its unfolding legacy. Is the so called ‘progress’ in technology something we really want, and if so, how should it manifest?”

As for the work itself, Sotheby’s said it was “inspired by Pablo Picasso’s Guernica and Doris Salcedo’s Atrabiliarios, works that portray human suffering through splintered, distorted aesthetics.” It also said the style was similar to Edvard Munch, whose most famous work is The Scream.

The work was exhibited at the AI for Good Global Summit at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland earlier this year before going up for bids.

The Ai-da robot uses a combination of cameras in its eyes and an AI algorithm to control its robotic arm. All of that machinery is held within a body dressed as a woman with a bobbed haircut, dressed in overalls.

About the Author
By Chris MorrisFormer Contributing Writer

Chris Morris is a former contributing writer at Fortune, covering everything from general business news to the video game and theme park industries.

See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Tech


Most Popular

Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • TikTok icon
  • YouTube icon

    Latest in Tech


    Most Popular

    © 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
    FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.