
Humanoid robot says not aiming to 'replace human artists'
The ultra-realistic robot, one of the most advanced in the world, is designed to resemble a human woman with an expressive, life-like face, large hazel eyes and brown hair cut in a bob.
The arms though are unmistakably robotic, with exposed metal, and can be swapped out depending on the art form it is practicing.
Late last year, Ai-Da's portrait of English mathematician Alan Turing became the first artwork by a humanoid robot to be sold at auction, fetching over US$1 million.
But as Ai-Da unveiled its latest creation -- an oil painting entitled "Algorithm King", conceived using artificial intelligence (AI) -- the humanoid insisted the work's importance could not be measured in money.
"The value of my artwork is to serve as a catalyst for discussions that explore ethical dimensions to new technologies," the robot told Agence France-Presse (AFP) at Britain's diplomatic mission in Geneva, where the new portrait of King Charles will be housed.
The idea, Ai-Da insisted in a slow, deliberate cadence, was to "foster critical thinking and encourage responsible innovation for more equitable and sustainable futures".
'Unique and creative'
Speaking on the sidelines of the United Nations' AI for Good summit, Ai-Da, who has done sketches, paintings and sculptures, detailed the methods and inspiration behind the work.
"When creating my art, I use a variety of AI algorithms," the robot said.
"I start with a basic idea or concept that I want to explore, and I think about the purpose of the art. What will it say?"
The humanoid pointed out that "King Charles has used his platform to raise awareness on environmental conservation and interfaith dialog. I have aimed this portrait to celebrate" that, it said, adding that "I hope King Charles will be appreciative of my efforts".
Aidan Meller, a specialist in modern and contemporary art, led the team that created Ai-Da in 2019 with artificial intelligence specialists at the universities of Oxford and Birmingham.
He told AFP that he had conceived the humanoid robot -- named after the world's first computer programmer Ada Lovelace -- as an ethical arts project, and not "to replace the painters".
Ai-Da agreed.
There is "no doubt that AI is changing our world, (including) the art world and forms of human creative expression", the robot acknowledged.
But "I do not believe AI or my artwork will replace human artists".
Instead, Ai-Da said, the aim was "to inspire viewers to think about how we use AI positively, while remaining conscious of its risks and limitations".
Asked if a painting made by a machine could really be considered art, the robot insisted that "my artwork is unique and creative".
"Whether humans decide it is art is an important and interesting point of conversation."
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Bangkok Post
2 hours ago
- Bangkok Post
GFCS Unveils New Brand to Drive Smart Security
Bangkok, July 28, 2025 — Guardforce Cash Solutions Security (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (GFCS), a leader in secure logistics and asset protection, has unveiled a refreshed brand identity that marks a strategic pivot towards technology-driven innovation. The rebranding, showcased during the company's high-profile 'Beyond Cash' event in Bangkok, signifies GFCS's transformation from a traditional cash-handling enterprise into a forward-thinking provider of AI-powered business solutions. The new brand design embraces the symbolic shield emblem of the Guardforce AI Group, embodying reliability, innovation, and collaboration. More than visual—the shift reflects GFCS's expanding capabilities across smart security technologies, automation, and integrated systems that meet the needs of a fast-changing economy. No longer limited to conventional cash logistics, the company now supports a wide spectrum of asset management services—from jewellery and electronics to sensitive corporate documents. Olivia Wang, Chairwoman and CEO of Guardforce AI, emphasised the significance of this transformation, stating that it merges over 40 years of operational expertise with cutting-edge artificial intelligence, robotics, and biometric authentication technologies. She noted that the goal is to create smarter, safer, and more adaptable services that empower clients to operate with enhanced speed and precision. 'Today's rebranding is not just about a logo change; it's about embracing transformation while honouring our legacy. We are transforming from manpower-base security company into a high-tech solutions company'. Central to GFCS's new offering are its Smart Cash and Smart Retail solutions, which embody the company's flagship innovations. Smart Cash provides financial institutions and retailers with advanced capabilities such as predictive cash flow analytics and automated reconciliation, optimising liquidity and security. While Smart Retail integrates AI and IoT technologies to offer real-time asset tracking and performance analytics, streamlining operations and enabling better customer engagement. These innovations serve as the foundation for GFCS's three strategic transformations: 'Beyond Just Cash,' 'Beyond Logistics,' and 'Beyond Services.' The company now manages not only currency but also high-value assets like jewellery, electronics, and sensitive documents. It's shifting from basic transport to smart, closed-loop systems equipped with predictive analytics, smart safes, and real-time monitoring. Through AI, IoT, and biometrics, GFCS is evolving into a full-scale solution provider—developing intelligent infrastructure in partnership with Guardforce AI's global R&D. Kelvin Chu, Managing Director of GFCS Thailand, reiterated that while the company's legacy rests on reliability and trust, its future will be defined by agility, intelligence, and growth. 'GFCS's transformation into 'Beyond Cash' reflects our dedication to evolving alongside our clients. This is not a departure from our roots but an elevation of our service to the new heights.' The 'Beyond Cash' event gathered top executives, technology partners, and media to commemorate this turning point and explore the company's enhanced capabilities. The event concluded with a shared vision: to reshape asset management in Thailand using innovation as the catalyst. GFCS's rebranding positions it at the forefront of the secure services industry, ready to meet the demands of a rapidly digitalizing market; showing confidence and commitment in future business development.

Bangkok Post
5 days ago
- Bangkok Post
BTS agency HYBE raided over alleged fraud trading
SEOUL — HYBE, the agency behind Korean pop (K-pop) superstars BTS, was raided by police on Thursday in connection with alleged fraudulent trading involving its founder Bang Si-hyuk, investigators said. "We are conducting a search and seizure at HYBE's headquarters in Yongsan District," Seoul police said in a brief statement. Bang, the mastermind behind BTS, is under investigation over allegations that he misled early investors to reap illicit profits from the company's 2020 initial public offering. He is accused of gaining around 200 billion won (US$146 million) through the process, according to local reports. HYBE has denied Bang committed any wrongdoing. "We will dutifully clarify that the listing at the time was carried out in compliance with all relevant laws and regulations," the company said in early July, pledging "active cooperation" with authorities to get to the bottom of the case. Bang allegedly misled HYBE's early investors, who held pre-IPO shares, by telling them in 2019 he had no plans to take the company public. He then allegedly encouraged them to sell their shares to private equity funds when in fact IPO plan was in the making. HYBE went public in 2020, after the shareholders sold their stakes. The 52-year-old is accused of secretly striking a deal with the private equity funds to receive a portion of the profits they made from selling shares after the initial public offering (IPO). 2026 comeback The investigation comes as all seven BTS members complete their mandatory military service and prepare for a comeback next year. HYBE announced this month that a new album and world tour were scheduled for 2026. BTS, known for championing progressive causes, holds the record as the most-streamed group on Spotify and became the first K-pop act to top both the Billboard 200 and Billboard Artist 100 charts in the United States. Before their military service, BTS generated more than 5.5 trillion won ($4 billion) in yearly economic impact, according to the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute. That accounts for roughly 0.2%of South Korea's total GDP, according to official data. There had been debate over whether BTS should be granted exemptions from military service -- sometimes granted to Olympic medallists and classical artists who win top international awards -- but pop stars do not qualify under South Korean laws.

Bangkok Post
5 days ago
- Bangkok Post
Walking 7,000 steps a day a huge boost to health: research
PARIS - People who walk 7,000 steps a day have a dramatically lower risk of a broad range of serious health problems, the largest review of the evidence yet said Thursday. The most widely promoted target for people tracking their number of steps is 10,000 -- but that figure reportedly originally came from a 1960s marketing campaign for a Japanese pedometer. To find a more scientific target, an international team of researchers sifted through 57 previous studies that covered 160,000 people. The results published in the Lancet Public Health journal found that walking 7,000 steps a day nearly halved people's risk of early death from all causes, compared to 2,000 steps. The study also looked into health problems not previously covered by research into step counts. Walking 7,000 steps a day was linked to people's risk of dementia falling by 38 percent, depression dropping 22 percent and diabetes decreasing 14 percent. It was also associated with lower rates of cancer and falls, though the researchers warned this was based on less evidence. "You don't need to hit 10,000 steps a day to get major health benefits," Paddy Dempsey, a study co-author and medical researcher at Cambridge University, told AFP. "The biggest gains happen before 7,000 steps, and then benefits tend to level off," he said. While people's speeds vary widely, 7,000 steps adds up to roughly an hour of walking throughout the day. Dempsey emphasised that people already managing 10,000 or more steps should keep it up. But he had a message for people who might find 7,000 steps daunting: "don't be discouraged". "If you're only getting 2,000–3,000 steps a day, aim to add an extra 1,000 steps. That's just 10–15 minutes of light walking spread across the day," he said. Andrew Scott, a researcher at the University of Portsmouth not involved in the study, said that "it demonstrates that overall more is always better". "People should not focus too much on the numbers, particularly on days where activity is limited," he added. The World Health Organization recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate to intense physical activity a week. Nearly a third of people worldwide do not reach this target, according to the WHO.