First AI art auction

Christie’s upcoming auction will explore the role of human intervention in the AI era by tracing the evolution of art and technology over several decades. The sale, featuring 20 AI-generated artworks, is expected to fetch around $600,000. Among the highlights are pieces by Harold Cohen, a pioneer of AI-assisted art, as well as works by contemporary artists Refik Anadol, Pindar Van Arman, Sasha Stiles, Holly Herndon, and Mat Dryhurst, all of whom are known for their experimentation with emerging technologies.

However, the event has sparked outrage among artists, leading to thousands of protest letters demanding its cancellation. An open letter addressed to Christie's digital art specialists has already gathered over 4,000 signatures, including from prominent artists like Karla Ortiz and Kelly McKernan, who have also filed a class-action lawsuit against major tech companies for copyright infringement.

The main concern of artists opposing artificial intelligence is the preservation of copyright and protection against the unauthorized use of existing artworks.