Christie's First-Ever AI Art Only Auction Sparks Discussions: Innovation or Exploitation?

Christie’s has announced its upcoming auction, “AUGMENTED INTELLIGENCE.” This marks its first foray into exclusively auctioning works created with artificial intelligence (AI). Many are outraged.

Auction house Christie’s has announced its upcoming auction, “AUGMENTED INTELLIGENCE.” This marks its first foray into exclusively auctioning works created with artificial intelligence (AI).¹ While this is a milestone in both the art market and the artificial intelligence space, many are left outraged.

Not long after the announcement, an open letter spearheaded by concept artist, Reid Southern, implored Christie’s to cancel the auction. Over six thousand artists have signed and expressed their support for the auction’s cancellation ahead of its opening date on February 20, 2025. The letter cites concerns over “mass theft of human artists’ works” by AI companies.² It also implies that Christie’s would be rewarding and incentivizing the unethical practice of training models on human artists’ works without consent or compensation if the auction proceeds.