An AI-generated artwork of Alan Turing, the famed World War Two codebreaker, sold for $1, 084, 800 (£836, 667) at auction. Sotheby's reported receiving 27 bids for the digital piece titled "A. I. God, " originally estimated to fetch between $120, 000 (£92, 452) and $180, 000 (£139, 000). Turing, a trailblazer in computer science and dubbed the father of AI, played a vital role in the Allied victory over Nazi Germany by helping to crack the Enigma code. The auction house described the event as historic, stating it opens a new chapter in the global art market by setting a benchmark for AI-generated artwork.

The piece, by Ai-Da Robot, is the first artwork by a humanoid robot sold at auction and features a large-scale portrait of Turing, an alumnus of King's College, Cambridge. It was purchased by an undisclosed buyer, well above the initial estimate. Sotheby's emphasized that the sale represents a pivotal moment in modern and contemporary art, highlighting the intersection of AI technology and the art market. Ai-Da Robot, using an advanced AI model to communicate, remarked, "My work aims to spark dialogue about emerging technology. " The artwork encourages reflection on AI's god-like potential and its ethical implications, echoing insights from Turing, who foresaw these advancements. Aidan Meller, director of Ai-Da Robot Studios, noted this auction underscores significant changes in the art world as AI becomes more influential. The piece "AI God" prompts questions about agency as AI's capabilities expand. The final sale price, initially announced as $1. 3m, was later corrected by the auctioneers.