Robot Artist Paints King Charles Portrait in Glimpse of Future Royal Art

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A humanoid robot has painted a striking portrait of King Charles III, blending traditional artistic techniques with modern artificial intelligence, in what some see as a glimpse into the future of royal portraiture.

The artwork, titled Algorithm King, was created by Ai-Da, a humanoid robot described as the world’s first ultra-realistic robot artist. Using a combination of robotic arm movements and artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms, Ai-Da painted the image on oil canvas, relying on visual data gathered through cameras fitted in her eyes.

The portrait, unveiled at the AI for Good Summit in Geneva, Switzerland, did not involve the King sitting for the session. Despite this, the robot’s creators say the painting captures the essence of the monarch. The unveiling event, hosted by the United Nations, also featured a previous portrait Ai-Da completed of the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, created in honour of the Platinum Jubilee.

Ai-Da, named after 19th-century mathematician Ada Lovelace, is the brainchild of British art dealer Aidan Meller and was developed by Cornwall-based company Engineered Arts. Beyond her painting capabilities, she can also engage in human-like conversations through an advanced language model, positioning her as a painter and a cultural commentator.

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Speaking at the U.N., Ai-Da shared her reflections on her latest work, stating, “Presenting my portrait of His Majesty King Charles III is not just a creative act, it’s a statement about the evolving role of AI in our society, and to reflect on how artificial intelligence is shaping the cultural landscape.”

Her appearance and commentary highlighted broader conversations around technology’s role in society. British ambassador Simon Manley, representing the UK at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and United Nations in Geneva, remarked that Ai-Da is more than a machine. “Ai-Da is not just a technological marvel; she is a cultural conversation starter. We are proud to showcase British innovation at its most imaginative, and to reflect on how emerging technologies can shape global dialogues on art, ethics, and identity,” he said.

Ai-Da has made several high-profile appearances, including addresses at the House of Lords, 10 Downing Street, and earlier United Nations events. Her artwork has toured renowned institutions such as the Tate Modern, Victoria and Albert Museum, Somerset House, and the Design Museum. It has also reached international stages from the Pyramids of Giza to the Venice Biennale.

In a milestone moment last year, one of Ai-Da’s paintings sold at Sotheby’s for $1 million, sparking debate over the nature of creativity and the authenticity of machine-generated art.

Commenting on Ai-Da’s cultural relevance, Mr Meller said: “The greatest artists in history grappled with their period of time, and both celebrated and questioned society’s shifts. Ai-Da Robot, as technology, is the perfect artist today to discuss the current developments in technology and its unfolding legacy.”

As the U.K. looks to the future of the monarchy, Algorithm King stands as a curious symbol of how tradition and innovation might coexist. If there is still a Royal Family a century from now, it may be a robot capturing their likeness on canvas.