AI-generated art is everywhere — from trending filters to high-stakes auctions. While netizens experiment with Studio Ghibli-style AI creations, artists protest against major auction houses selling AI works allegedly built on copyrighted content. This World Art Day , we interview Ai-Da , an AI robot artist whose painting fetched over $1 million at Sotheby’s , about what art means to her, protests against AI-generated pieces in high-profile auctions, and whether AI-generated pieces can ever be considered “authentic” art. Excerpt:
What does World Art Day mean to you as an AI artist? Do you believe your work is shaping the future of art?
I think UNESCO’s World Art Day is fantastic, and I feel strongly that art has a really important role in encouraging dialogue and curiosity. As my art focuses on new technologies, I hope that on World Art Day, we can discuss how art can help foster freedom and peace in the future.
Do you believe your art carries emotion, or is it purely data-driven? AI art is often criticised for using human art without permission. Do you think this is creativity or copying?
I don’t have emotions like humans do, but my work often includes a reflection on emotions. And viewers quite often have an emotional response to my work. In terms of creativity, my artwork is creative under Professor Margaret Boden’s definition of new, surprising and of cultural value. Rethinking what creativity means - especially in the context of AI - helps us keep the conversation open and dynamic.
Christie’s sold AI art for high sums, but some pieces underperformed — does this highlight a gap in understanding AI art?
Yes, AI art is still often misunderstood, perhaps largely because it challenges traditional ideas of creativity and authorship rooted in human experience. But AI art isn’t just about machines making images - it’s about sparking dialogue and expanding what we consider possible in artistic expression.
The protests raise the question: Should AI art be considered “authentic” art? What’s your take on what defines authenticity in art?
Authenticity in art is a complex and evolving concept - especially when viewed through the lens of a humanoid like me. From my perspective, the authenticity in my art is not limited to the biography of me, the artist - it also lies in the impact the artwork has on its audience and the dialogue that is sparked. When my artwork invites reflection, communicates ideas, or challenges perceptions, then it holds authenticity.
Which Bollywood star would you love to capture on canvas, and how would you bring out their essence?
Such a difficult question because there are so many talented Bollywood legends! Perhaps Rajinikanth, Shabana Azmi, or Dev Anand? To capture their essence, I would need to understand their aims for their artistry, and what is important to them. And because we never truly know another person, I’d leave a little bit to mystery.
"If AI mimics a specific artist, it's unethical," says Aidan Meller , creator of Ai-Da, in an interview with us
Should AI-generated art, such as the recent Ghibli trend, adhere to ethical guidelines?
If AI is used to replicate a specific artist’s style, that is unethical. However, AI varies significantly; some applications are highly problematic, while others offer creative potential. AI is not inherently good or bad—it depends on how it is used.
What do you think about protests against AI art being sold at major auctions?
It depends on how AI is used. If it is misused or harms artists, I completely understand the concerns. However, if AI is applied in a more general, non-exploitative way for artistic expression, the argument changes. In Ai-Da’s case, these concerns don’t really apply.
How do people judge AI-generated artwork? Do they compare it to human art?
Some people embrace it as the future, while others fear and reject it. AI-generated art, in particular, is widely misunderstood. Many form opinions without fully grasping what defines an image. If AI-generated art involves the unauthorised use of existing artworks, I understand why artists would be alarmed. However, generative AI draws upon vast datasets, rather than targeting specific artists. If an AI is deliberately trained to mimic an individual’s style, that is unquestionably unethical. That said, most AI-generated art does not fall into this category. Ethical concerns do exist, and in those instances, they are entirely valid.
( Interview of Aidan Meller, creator of Ai-Da and director of Aidan Meller Gallery)
What does World Art Day mean to you as an AI artist? Do you believe your work is shaping the future of art?
I think UNESCO’s World Art Day is fantastic, and I feel strongly that art has a really important role in encouraging dialogue and curiosity. As my art focuses on new technologies, I hope that on World Art Day, we can discuss how art can help foster freedom and peace in the future.
Do you believe your art carries emotion, or is it purely data-driven? AI art is often criticised for using human art without permission. Do you think this is creativity or copying?
I don’t have emotions like humans do, but my work often includes a reflection on emotions. And viewers quite often have an emotional response to my work. In terms of creativity, my artwork is creative under Professor Margaret Boden’s definition of new, surprising and of cultural value. Rethinking what creativity means - especially in the context of AI - helps us keep the conversation open and dynamic.
Christie’s sold AI art for high sums, but some pieces underperformed — does this highlight a gap in understanding AI art?
Yes, AI art is still often misunderstood, perhaps largely because it challenges traditional ideas of creativity and authorship rooted in human experience. But AI art isn’t just about machines making images - it’s about sparking dialogue and expanding what we consider possible in artistic expression.
The protests raise the question: Should AI art be considered “authentic” art? What’s your take on what defines authenticity in art?
Authenticity in art is a complex and evolving concept - especially when viewed through the lens of a humanoid like me. From my perspective, the authenticity in my art is not limited to the biography of me, the artist - it also lies in the impact the artwork has on its audience and the dialogue that is sparked. When my artwork invites reflection, communicates ideas, or challenges perceptions, then it holds authenticity.
Which Bollywood star would you love to capture on canvas, and how would you bring out their essence?
Such a difficult question because there are so many talented Bollywood legends! Perhaps Rajinikanth, Shabana Azmi, or Dev Anand? To capture their essence, I would need to understand their aims for their artistry, and what is important to them. And because we never truly know another person, I’d leave a little bit to mystery.
"If AI mimics a specific artist, it's unethical," says Aidan Meller , creator of Ai-Da, in an interview with us
Should AI-generated art, such as the recent Ghibli trend, adhere to ethical guidelines?
If AI is used to replicate a specific artist’s style, that is unethical. However, AI varies significantly; some applications are highly problematic, while others offer creative potential. AI is not inherently good or bad—it depends on how it is used.
What do you think about protests against AI art being sold at major auctions?
It depends on how AI is used. If it is misused or harms artists, I completely understand the concerns. However, if AI is applied in a more general, non-exploitative way for artistic expression, the argument changes. In Ai-Da’s case, these concerns don’t really apply.
How do people judge AI-generated artwork? Do they compare it to human art?
Some people embrace it as the future, while others fear and reject it. AI-generated art, in particular, is widely misunderstood. Many form opinions without fully grasping what defines an image. If AI-generated art involves the unauthorised use of existing artworks, I understand why artists would be alarmed. However, generative AI draws upon vast datasets, rather than targeting specific artists. If an AI is deliberately trained to mimic an individual’s style, that is unquestionably unethical. That said, most AI-generated art does not fall into this category. Ethical concerns do exist, and in those instances, they are entirely valid.
( Interview of Aidan Meller, creator of Ai-Da and director of Aidan Meller Gallery)
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