Ai-Da

For decades the idea of computer-created art has been discussed or predicted or even heralded as having arrived. There are computer programs that generate colored images, based on programming of course. Some of those programs actually produce physical paintings when coupled to another machine. Now, of course, we have robots, artificial intelligence, and a great deal more technical expertise than even five years ago.  

Ai-Da and self portrait

Now we have Ai-Da, a robot that is said (on its website) to be "...the world’s first ultra-realistic artist robot." Originally publicized in 2019, Ai-Da has made a portrait of Queen Elizabeth in honor of her 70 years on the UK throne. Ai-Da is named after Ada Lovelace a 19th century woman who is often called the first computer programmer. Ai-Da is equipped with a female human appearance but underneath is an artificial intelligence, camera eyes, and the ability to draw, paint and sculpt with a mechanical arm. This is a machine that can make original images based on what it records via the cameras. 

So the question becomes, are the images made by Ai-Da art? There are likely to multiple answers, of course. A number of art critics deny the images are art, even if they seem artful since the machine is neither a person, nor self-aware. Ai-Da cannot be an artist because although its machine eyes record what is before them, the program doesn't "see" in the sense that humans do. Perhaps so. But Ai-Da has already had shows, a featured website and a great deal of publicity.  

Ai-Da "Algorithm Queen"

For me, the AI behind the rubber face hasn't quite gotten there yet. Instead Algorithm Queen and the self portrait above are both more like digitally manipulated photos than drawings or paintings. There are quite a few, though, who are hailing this as the beginning of true independent computer artists. 

Perhaps.

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More:

Ai-Da the Robot 

But Is It Art?