Artificial intelligence currently lacks the capability to create a regal depiction devoid of an eerie, unsettling quality.
In the realm of art, the boundaries between human and machine continue to blur. This is particularly evident in the work of Ai-Da, an AI artist who recently unveiled a captivating portrait of King Charles III at the AI for Good summit hosted by the United Nations in Geneva.
The creation of "Algorithm King" involved a unique process. Ai-Da, equipped with cameras in her eyes, robotic arm, and AI algorithms, analysed multiple images of King Charles, sketched and prepared the painting, and then built up the image using her AI-powered tools. The final painting, a 3D textured image, is a sequel to Ai-Da's previous work, a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
Ai-Da's AI capabilities come from a team of PhD students and professors at the Universities of Oxford and Birmingham. The painting, with its mottled skin and deranged smile, has been compared to the character Emperor Palpatine from Star Wars, with the blue brush strokes resembling force lightning. Despite this unique style, "Algorithm King" was one of the most notable attractions at the AI for Good summit.
The advancement of AI art generation over the last few years is significant. Learning how to spot AI images is becoming necessary as AI art becomes more realistic and emotionally neutral. Compared to earlier, more distorted or uncanny results, newer AI art can produce much more convincing and positive likenesses. While there is no specific referenced evidence about Ai-Da’s recent portrait or a quantified improvement over the last three years specifically for English monarchs, the general trend in AI art supports this significant improvement.
It's worth noting that the first officially commissioned AI Royal portrait is unlikely to occur soon. However, the unveiling of "Algorithm King" marks a step forward in the exploration of AI's potential in the art world.
For those interested in design news, reviews, how-tos, and more, the Creative Bloq Newsletter is a valuable resource. Stay tuned for more updates on Ai-Da's future projects and the evolving world of AI art.
[1] As of 2025, Charles III is the current monarch of the United Kingdom, confirming the timeframe for such artwork is recent.
- The layout of Ai-Da's workspace inherently blends human creativity and AI technologies, as her tools include cameras, robotic arms, and AI algorithms.
- Ai-Da, the AI artist, demonstrated her 3D painting skills in creating the captivating portrait of King Charles III, using her artistic style reminiscent of Star Wars' Emperor Palpatine, highlighted by blue brush strokes that resemble force lightning.
- The design process behind Ai-Da's work involves analyzing multiple images, sketching, preparing paintings, and building up images using AI-powered tools.
- In the realm of art, artificial intelligence is prompting a new wave of creativity, with AI capabilities now outperforming earlier, more distorted or uncanny results, as demonstrated by Ai-Da's work.
- Photography plays a crucial role in Ai-Da's art, as she uses cameras integrated into her eyes to gather data for her paintings.
- The advancements in AI art generation, as seen in Ai-Da's work, have made it necessary for experts to learn how to spot AI images, as they become more realistic and emotionally neutral.
- The Creative Bloq Newsletter serves as a valuable resource for design enthusiasts, keeping them updated on the latest news, reviews, and how-to guides in the world of AI art, including potential future projects by Ai-Da.
