Artistic Collaboration Unfolds: A humanoid AI creates a portrait of King Charles, showcasing its skills.
In a groundbreaking move, the world's first ultra-realistic robot artist, Ai-Da, has created portraits of King Charles III and the late Queen Elizabeth II, generating new conversations about technology, creativity, and culture in portrait art.
Ai-Da, named after Ada Lovelace, the first computer programmer, uses advanced AI algorithms, high-tech cameras in her eyes, and a robotic arm to draw and paint. She processes visual data through AI models and translates these decisions into brushstrokes with her robotic arm.
The portrait of King Charles III, titled "Algorithm King," was unveiled at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva during the AI for Good Global Summit in July 2025. For this portrait, Ai-Da was shown multiple images of King Charles and used AI to select and interpret textures and abstraction before producing the final painting.
The portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, titled "Algorithm Queen," was created to mark her Platinum Jubilee in 2022. Ai-Da's artwork has been exhibited worldwide, including at the Tate Modern, V&A, Somerset House, Design Museum in Britain, Pyramids in Egypt, and the Venice Biennale.
The portraits of King Charles and Queen Elizabeth II were exhibited together at the AI For Good Summit hosted by the United Nations in Geneva. This exhibition was praised by Simon Manley, ambassador and permanent representative to the World Trade Organisation and UN in Geneva, who described Ai-Da as a cultural conversation starter and a showcase of British innovation.
Ai-Da has made history by becoming the first robot to ever paint a monarch. Her painting sold for $1m at Sotheby's in 2024. Ai-Da has also spoken at the UN and previously at the House of Lords, Number 10 Downing Street, and other notable venues.
In addition to Ai-Da’s robot-created works, AI-driven platforms like FluxAI.art offer users the ability to transform photos into regal-style portraits through customizable AI-generated art, although these are more consumer-oriented tools rather than official royal commissions.
The debate about the future of the UK Royal Family continues, but one thing is certain - technology is playing an increasingly significant role in art and culture, with Ai-Da leading the way as a pioneer in this exciting new era.
Artificial Intelligence, through Ai-Da, a robot artist named after the first computer programmer Ada Lovelace, has produced two portraits: "Algorithm King" of King Charles III and "Algorithm Queen" of the late Queen Elizabeth II. These paintings, showcased at the AI For Good Summit, demonstrate the growing influence of technology on art and culture.
