A coalition of 4,000 artists has demanded Christie's cancel its upcoming "Augmented Intelligence" auction, which features artworks created using artificial intelligence tools. The sale, scheduled for February 20 to March 5, marks Christie's first dedicated auction of AI-influenced art.
The sale comprises 20 lots estimated at $600,000 total. It spans several decades of technological art development, from early computer art pioneer Harold Cohen to current digital creators like Refik Anadol, Pindar Van Arman, Sasha Stiles, and the collaborative duo Holly Herndon and Mat Dryhurst.
In their open letter to Christie's digital art specialists, the protesting artists argue that AI art tools are built by training on artists' works without consent or compensation. Among the letter's signatories are Karla Ortiz and Kelly McKernan, who are currently pursuing a class-action lawsuit against AI companies over copyright infringement.
"By promoting AI-generated art, Christie's is legitimizing the unauthorized use of artists' work", the letter states. "These companies have harvested millions of artworks to create commercial products that directly compete with human artists in the marketplace."
The auction house defended its position through a statement to The Art Newspaper, emphasizing that the featured artists have established careers and museum presence. "These creators use AI as one tool among many in their artistic practice," the spokesperson said.
The controversy follows Sotheby's recent sale of the AI artwork "A.I. God: Portrait of Alan Turing" for $1 million in November. Featured artist Refik Anadol responded to the protests on X, stating that most participants in the auction use their own data sets and models. "This reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of the art ecosystem," he wrote, dismissing the concerns as "doomsday hysteria".
The debate highlights the growing tension between traditional artists and those embracing AI tools, as galleries and institutions begin to recognize computer-assisted artwork. The sale's results may influence how the art market approaches AI-created works in the future.
Legal experts note that copyright law regarding AI-generated art remains largely untested, with several cases pending in U.S. courts. The outcome of these lawsuits could reshape how artists, technology companies, and auction houses approach AI art in coming years.
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Andrea Darren
Born in Manchester, from a young age, she was passionate about art and design. She studied at the University of the Arts in London, where she developed her skills in these fields. Today, Andrea works as an editor for a renowned publishing house, combining her love for art and design with her editorial expertise.