The "Augmented Intelligence" auction, scheduled to run from February 20 to March 5, 2025, features 20 lots priced between $10,000 and $250,000, including works from prominent AI artists like Refik Anadol and the late Harold Cohen12. Critics argue that at least nine of the works were created using AI tools trained on artists' work without consent3. The open letter protesting the auction has garnered over 3,700 signatures, citing concerns that AI models used to create the artworks were trained on copyrighted material without licenses or permission14. This controversy highlights the growing tension between traditional artists and AI technology in the art world, potentially setting a significant precedent for how the art market handles AI-generated works in the future.

The protest against Christie's AI art auction has been spearheaded by several prominent artists, including Karla Ortiz and Kelly McKernan, who are currently involved in lawsuits against AI companies for allegedly using their work without permission to train image-generation models12. These artists, along with thousands of others, have signed the open letter calling for the cancellation of the auction.

• Ed Newton-Rex, CEO of Fairly Trained, a non-profit certifying AI companies for fairer data sourcing, has been vocal in criticizing Christie's decision3.

• The protest has united artists from various disciplines, including illustrators, photographers, and other creatives1.

• The signatories argue that AI models used to create the auctioned works exploit human artists by using their copyrighted work without permission or compensation42.

In response to the mounting criticism, Christie's has defended its decision to proceed with the "Augmented Intelligence" auction. The auction house asserts that the featured artists have "strong, existing multidisciplinary art practices" and are using AI to "enhance their bodies of work" rather than replace human creativity1. Christie's also claims that the technology is employed in a "controlled manner, with data trained on the artists' own inputs"2. This stance has done little to quell the concerns of protesters, who argue that the auction legitimizes and incentivizes what they consider "mass theft" of human artists' work34.

The controversy surrounding Christie's AI art auction underscores the profound impact of artificial intelligence on the art world. This emerging technology has sparked debates about creativity, originality, and the very nature of art itself. Critics argue that AI-generated art threatens the livelihoods of human artists by potentially flooding the market with computer-generated works12. Conversely, proponents view AI as a tool that can enhance artistic expression and open new avenues for creativity. The auction has become a flashpoint in this ongoing discussion, highlighting the need for clearer guidelines and ethical standards in the rapidly evolving intersection of AI and art34.