Christie’s first AI art auction hits $728K despite copyright controversy

Christie’s first dedicated AI art auction has sparked significant controversy while still achieving financial success, highlighting the complex intersection of AI-generated art and traditional art markets. The event raised important questions about copyright, artistic value, and the evolution of creative expression in the digital age, as evidenced by both the protest letter it received and the notable participation from younger collectors.

The big picture: Christie’s inaugural Augmented Intelligence auction totaled $728,784 (with fees), exceeding its pre-sale low estimate of $600,000 despite facing substantial opposition from nearly 6,500 artists and supporters who demanded its cancellation.

Behind the numbers: The auction attracted significant interest from younger and first-time Christie’s clients, with 48% of bidders coming from Millennial or Gen Z demographics and 37% of registered bidders being new to the auction house.

What critics are saying: An open letter circulated prior to the auction alleged that many of the artworks were “created using AI models that are known to be trained on copyrighted work without a license,” claiming these models exploit human artists “without permission or payment.”

Key sales highlights: Refik Anadol’s Machine Hallucinations – ISS Dreams – A (2021) emerged as the auction’s top performer, selling for $277,200.

• Other notable sales included Holly Herndon and Mat Dryhurst’s Embedding Study 1 & 2 at $94,500 and Charles Csuri’s 1966 piece Bspline Men at $50,400.
• The auction wasn’t without disappointments, as six lots failed to sell, including works by artists Robbie Barrat, Pindar Van Arman, and Jake Elwes.

Why it matters: The auction’s commercial success despite controversy signals institutional validation for AI-generated art while simultaneously highlighting unresolved ethical questions about copyright, creative attribution, and fair compensation in the emerging field.