The UK Mission to the WTO and United Nations in Geneva hosted a unique reception this week showcasing Ai-Da, the world’s first ultra-realistic humanoid robot artist.

As the highlight of the evening, Ai-Da unveiled a striking AI painted portrait of His Majesty King Charles III, offering a compelling intersection of innovation, artistic expression, and emerging technology.

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Future Digital Economy and Online Safety, attended the event which brought together diplomats, UN officials, artists, and technology experts and explored the role of artificial intelligence in the cultural and creative industries.

Ai-Da was devised by Aidan Meller, a specialist in modern and contemporary art, and developed in the UK by a team of engineers and programmers. She uses advanced AI algorithms, robotic arms and cameras to create original artwork, raising timely questions about the nature of creativity, authorship, and the future of art in the digital age.

The unveiling is after a long line of high-profile events including Ai-Da making history by speaking at the House of Lords, numerous museums including the Tate Modern and the V&A, during the Venice Biennale, and at the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures. Ai-Da previously painted The late Queen Elizabeth II to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee.

Simon Manley, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, UK Mission to the WTO, UN and Other International Organisations (Geneva) said;

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.

The reception formed part of the UK Mission’s ongoing efforts to promote responsible innovation and to engage partners in Geneva’s multilateral system on the implications of AI, through the AI for Good Global Summit and robotics across society.

Speaking at the unveiling Ai-Da said:

It’s a privilege to be part of this remarkable event at the United Nations, surrounded by those shaping the future of technology and culture.

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.

My presence here reflects a shared journey into new forms of expression and the questions they raise about identity, authorship, and the essence of art.

The reception was held in the newly named ‘Sir Tim Berners-Lee’ conference room in the UK Mission Geneva office, named in honour of British scientist and inventor of the World Wide Web.

Background

• photos of the reception are available on Flickr.

• the AI for Good Summit is taking place in Geneva, 8 – 11 July.

• Ai-Da Robot is a performance artist, designer and poet. Since her creation in February 2019, Ai-Da has captivated audiences with her unique blend of art, technology and trans-humanism. Her debut solo exhibition, ‘Unsecured Futures’, at the University of Oxford, invited viewers to reflect on our rapidly changing world.

• Ai-Da’s art has since gained international recognition. At the ‘AI for Good’ Global Summit, she addressed the complex implications of emerging technologies. Her thought-provoking discussions have also reached the House of Lords and the Oxford Union.

• Ai-Da had a show at the Design Museum and held a solo exhibition at the Giardini during the Venice Biennale. Influenced by Dada, and continually pushing the boundaries of creativity, Ai-Da challenges traditional notions of art and artists, sparking vital conversations about the use and potential misuse of new technologies.