Christie's is set to host the first auction dedicated exclusively to art created with artificial intelligence, known as the Augmented Intelligence sale, from late February to early March 2025.
Among the diverse offerings are paintings, sculptures, and interactive experiences, with only 26% of the lots being digitally native works like NFTs.
A standout feature of the auction will be a live painting robot created by Alexander Reben, which will produce artwork in real-time based on bidding activity.
Pindar Van Arman will present a series of nine unique canvases from his 'Emerging Faces' project, estimated to sell for between $180,000 and $250,000.
Overall, the auction reflects the increasing complexity and variety in the field of AI art, as well as collectors' interest in its historical context and future potential.
Despite the excitement, critics have raised concerns about copyright issues, as many generative AI tools have been developed using existing artists' works without consent.
The announcement of the auction has sparked mixed reactions, particularly regarding the ethical implications of AI-generated art and its impact on traditional artistic practices.
Christie's anticipates that the auction will generate at least $600,000 in sales, with cryptocurrency payments accepted for 93% of the lots.
The growing interest in AI art is evidenced by past sales, such as Sotheby’s auctioning a painting by Ai-Da for over $1 million, reflecting a significant shift in the art market.
Nicole Sales Giles, Christie's VP and digital art director, highlights that this auction showcases how A.I. can enhance artistic creativity while still requiring human involvement.
The auction will feature over 20 works from notable digital artists, including pieces by AI pioneers like Refik Anadol, Harold Cohen, and Claire Silver, exploring the intersection of automation and human creativity.
Innovative works such as Refik Anadol's 'Machine Hallucinations - ISS Dreams' are also included, with an estimated value of $150,000 to $200,000.
