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Christie's AI Art Auction 'Augmented Intelligence': Thousands of Artists Call It 'Mass Theft'

Mar 07, 2025 - techtimes.com
Since AI became legal for use in art creation, its integration has sparked significant controversy, particularly following Christie's first AI-specialized auction. The event drew backlash from over 5,600 artists who signed an open letter urging Christie's to cancel the sale, accusing AI models of using copyrighted material without permission. The letter condemned the auction as a reward for corporations involved in mass copyright infringement, expressing fears about the future of human-created art.

Despite the protests, Christie's proceeded with the auction, defending AI-generated art as part of artistic evolution and a catalyst for discussion. The auction, named Augmented Intelligence, was a commercial success, generating $728,784 in sales and attracting a younger demographic of buyers. Notable sales included Refik Anadol's Machine Hallucinations — ISS Dreams — A and Holly Herndon and Mat Dryhurst's Embedding Study 1 & 2. The debate over AI's role in art continues, with ongoing concerns about copyright, ownership, and artistic integrity.

Key takeaways:

  • Christie's held its first-ever AI-specialized auction, sparking backlash from artists who argue AI art uses their work without permission or pay.
  • Over 5,600 artists signed an open letter urging Christie's to cancel the auction, accusing AI models of being trained on copyrighted material without a license.
  • Despite protests, the auction was a commercial success, with total sales of $728,784 and a significant number of new, younger bidders.
  • The debate over AI-generated art continues, with concerns about copyright, ownership, and artistic integrity becoming more prominent.
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