Christie's Augmented Intelligence auction has faced global backlash from artists who argue that it legitimizes copyright infringement and is ‘art theft’.
The Augmented Intelligence auction is a first of its kind event in the art world. It marks the first time a major auction house has
The online exclusive auction will run from February 20th to March 5th, 2025. A simultaneous exhibition will be held at Christie's Rockefeller Center galleries in New York City.
Read: Is AI Art Copyrighted? How AI Images Redefine Fair Use
Christie's is a world-renowned auction house that was founded in London in 1766. It is a global leader in the art world, , facilitating the sale of some of the most famous and valuable works of art including Leonardo da Vinci's "Salvator Mundi," which sold for a record-breaking $450 million.
The Augmented Intelligence Auction will sell a variety of AI-generated artworks. Mediums will not just be digital art as may be expected and instead range from sculpture, painting, prints, works on paper, digitally native works, screens, interactive works, to light boxes.
A press release from Christie’s claims that the Augmented Intelligence Auction ‘redefines the relationship between art and technology, showing collectors human agency in the age of AI in Fine Art.’
“Serious Concern” Over AI Art
Many disagree not only with this specific auction but the entire premise of AI ‘art’. A letter calling for the auction to be cancelled has received over 3000 signatures
The letter, addressed to Nicole Sales Giles, VP & Director of Digital Art Sales and Sebastian Sanchez, Manager of Digital Art Sales at Christies expresses ‘serious concern’ over the AI art auction.
Signees agree that the artworks were ‘created using AI models that are known to be trained on copyrighted work without a license.’
The letter goes on to state that the use of these models ‘exploit human artists, using their work without permission or payment to build commercial AI products that compete with them.’
They claim that Christie's support of AI art legitimizes the field, saying that it ‘further incentivizes AI companies’ mass theft of human artists’ work.’
Ending on a direct note they ask ‘if you have any respect for human artists, you cancel the auction.’
Christie's Augmented Intelligence auction controversy is just the latest controversy surrounding the implementation of artificial intelligence and art. Earlier this year Academy Award Nominee The Brutalist sparked controversy just days ahead of the nomination ceremony, after editor Dávid Jancsó confirmed AI was used to enhance accents in the film.
