London newspaper revives legendary art critic with AI

AI resurrection of renowned art critic: The Evening Standard, a historic London newspaper, is planning to revive the late Brian Sewell, one of Britain’s most feared and revered art critics, using artificial intelligence.

• Sources indicate that AI Sewell has been assigned to review The National Gallery’s new Vincent van Gogh exhibition, “Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers.”
• The initiative was reportedly discussed at the highest levels of the Standard, including consultation with Lord Lebedev, the newspaper’s proprietor.
• Dylan Jones, editor-in-chief of the Standard, did not respond to requests for comment on the matter.

Newspaper’s digital transformation: The AI revival of Sewell is part of a broader attempt to reinvent the Evening Standard, a 197-year-old institution, as it transitions from daily to weekly publication.

• The Standard ceased daily printing last week and will now produce weekly editions starting on Thursdays.
• This shift to a weekly format has been accompanied by significant staff reductions, with approximately 150 layoffs, including 70 editorial roles.
• The newspaper’s embrace of AI technology has raised concerns among remaining staff members, given the recent job cuts.

Brian Sewell’s legacy: Sewell, who passed away in 2015 at the age of 84, was a prominent figure in British art criticism and media for over three decades.

• He worked for the Evening Standard for more than 30 years, earning a reputation for his sharp and often controversial critiques.
• Sewell was known as “Britain’s poshest art critic” and was famous for his uncompromising views on art and artists.
• His critiques were often scathing, describing a Damien Hirst exhibition as “detestable” and suggesting that Banksy should have been “put down at birth.”
• Sewell was also known for his controversial statements about gender in art, claiming that there had “never been a first-rank woman artist” and that “only men are capable of aesthetic greatness.”

Media presence beyond print: Sewell’s influence extended beyond his written critiques, making him a recognizable figure in British television.

• He fronted several documentaries, including “Brian Sewell’s Grand Tour” for Channel 5 in 2005, which followed his journey through Italy.
• Sewell also appeared in Channel 4’s “Dirty Dalí: A Private View” and was a guest on the BBC’s popular topical comedy show “Have I Got News for You” twice.

Ethical considerations: The plan to resurrect Sewell’s critical voice through AI raises important questions about the use of technology in journalism and the arts.

• The project blurs the lines between preserving a critic’s legacy and potentially misrepresenting their views in a contemporary context.
• It also highlights the ongoing debate about the role of AI in creative and critical fields, where human judgment and experience have traditionally been paramount.
• The use of AI to replicate Sewell’s distinctive style and opinions may be seen as both innovative and controversial within the art world and journalism communities.

Broader implications for art criticism: The potential AI revival of Brian Sewell signals a significant shift in how art criticism may be approached in the digital age.

• This move could open the door for other publications to consider similar AI-driven revivals of notable critics or writers.
• It raises questions about the authenticity and value of AI-generated criticism compared to that produced by living, contemporary critics.
• The art world may need to grapple with how to receive and interpret criticism that comes from an AI model based on a deceased critic’s work and persona.