Humanoid robot artist Ai-Da not aiming to ‘replace human artists'
Ultra-realistic humanoid artist robot Ai-Da in front of paintings of Britain's King Charles and Queen Elizabeth II, displayed on the sidelines of the AI For Good Global Summit in Geneva on July 9.
GENEVA – When successful artist Ai-Da unveiled a new portrait of King Charles last week, the humanoid robot described what inspired the layered and complex piece, and insisted it had no plans to 'replace' humans.
The ultra-realistic robot, one of the most advanced in the world, is designed to resemble a human woman with an expressive, lifelike face, large hazel eyes and brown hair cut in a bob.
The arms, though, are unmistakably robotic, with exposed metal, and can be swopped out depending on the art form it is practising.
In late 2024, Ai-Da's portrait of English mathematician Alan Turing became the first artwork by a humanoid robot to be sold at auction, fetching more than US$1 million (S$1.29 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 said 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'.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore Acute psychiatry services to be expanded across all healthcare clusters: MOH
Singapore Strong argument for cockpit video recording, says Iata chief in wake of Air India crash report
Singapore Baby died after mum took abortion pills and gave birth in toilet; coroner records an open verdict
Life S'pore travel agency Beyond Expeditions criticised for planning, safety issues
Business Tycoon Robert Kuok's daughter Kuok Hui Kwong appointed CEO of Shangri-La Asia
Singapore Jail for drunken man who shoved stranger into Singapore River, causing him to drown
Singapore 'Kpods broke our marriage, shattered our children': Woman on husband's vape addiction
Singapore Asia-Pacific will need over 230k new pilots, 250k aircraft maintenance technicians by 2042: ICAO chief
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 dialogue. I have aimed this portrait to celebrate' that, it said, adding that 'I hope King Charles will be appreciative of my efforts'.
Mr Aidan Meller, a specialist in modern and contemporary art, led the team that created Ai-Da in 2019 with AI specialists at the universities of Oxford and Birmingham.
He said 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.' AFP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Straits Times
'Do we wait for a death?' – Tour team boss urges feeding zone overhaul
Find out what's new on ST website and app. LOUDENVIELLE, France - Rising temperatures and increasing speeds in the Tour de France have prompted sports directors to call for changes to feeding zone regulations, citing heightened risks of injury and dehydration for riders. "We're placing feed zones on flat, fast stretches where riders are doing 60 kph," Philippe Mauduit, performance director at Groupama–FDJ, told Reuters on Friday before the start of the 13th stage. "It's so dangerous. A rider trying to grab a musette (feed bag) can break a finger or crash. And if he brakes too much, he's dropped — and in that group speed, he's not coming back." French rider Bryan Coquard broke a finger in Thursday's 12th stage as he attempted to grab his feed bag and said he would abandon the race after Friday's individual time trial. The growing risk, particularly under extreme weather conditions, has prompted a reevaluation of race feeding protocols among teams and organisers. "In 35°C heat, this isn't a luxury. It's vital," Mauduit said. "Do we need to wait for someone to die on Mont Ventoux before we act?" Tour organisers (ASO) and the International Cycling Union (UCI) were not immediately available for comment. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Critical infrastructure in S'pore under attack by cyber espionage group: Shanmugam Singapore Who is UNC3886, the group that attacked Singapore's critical information infrastructure? Singapore HSA looking to get anti-vape cyber surveillance tool with AI capabilities Singapore Singapore police in contact with Indonesian authorities over baby trafficking allegations Singapore Alleged Kpod peddler filmed trying to flee raid in Bishan charged with 6 offences Singapore NTU upholds zero grade for student accused of using AI in essay; panel found 14 false citations or data Singapore 30% of aviation jobs could be redesigned due to AI, automation; $200m fund to support workers: CAAS Singapore Former NUH male nurse faces charges after he allegedly molested man at hospital One key complaint is the placement of feed zones on long straightaways instead of safer, slower segments like slight uphills or post-town exits. Mauduit cited several recent crashes and injuries directly linked to chaotic feeding zones. "There have been a lot of broken collarbones and scaphoid fractures this season. We're putting riders in no-win scenarios," he said. In response, a coalition of sports directors formed after the Criterium du Dauphine in June presented proposed reforms to the UCI, ASO, and the AIGCP (international organisation of professional groups). Among the changes already accepted is the reinstatement of feeding on categorised climbs. "Thankfully, we can now feed at the foot of climbs," Mauduit said. "The race jury and (Tour racing director) Thierry Gouvenou responded quickly. But it's not enough." Tom Southam, sports director at EF Education–EasyPost, echoed many of these concerns while also acknowledging the complexity of the issue. "The rules changed this year, and it's no longer us who decide where feeds go," Southam said. "Now you've got 23 teams vying for space in the same spot. That massively increases pressure. Even if we placed them ourselves, it wouldn't be massively different on a flat 120-km day." While Southam credited organisers for doing the best they could, he also advocated for more input from experienced team personnel. "They should involve a DS (sports director) who knows the terrain — you need parking for 23 teams, a slight uphill, and slower sections. Other races just call a local DS and say, 'Can you help us?' It works." The increasing heat across stages is another urgent concern. "The Tour is just getting hotter," Southam noted. "We had 9 or 10 planned hand-up spots yesterday plus the cars, so we were fine. But it's becoming a huge factor. "If we keep racing in July, we need to start stages earlier — not 1 p.m. If the race finishes at 5:30 instead of 4:30 on TV, so be it. Something has to change." "We're not asking for chaos," Mauduit concluded. "Just smarter placement. If we want riders to give a show, let's at least give them the means to do it — safely." REUTERS
International Business Times
3 hours ago
- International Business Times
Top Cloud Engineer Shaik Abdul Kareem Breaks New Ground with AI-Based Security Framework of Enterprise Infrastructure
The Asia-Pacific region's technology sector continues to benefit from groundbreaking innovations developed by leading experts in the United States. Among these influential figures, Shaik Abdul Kareem, a US-based cloud engineering specialist, has made remarkable contributions that are particularly valuable for Asian enterprises navigating complex digital transformation challenges. His work in AI engineering and advanced cloud infrastructure serves as a crucial resource for organizations across our rapidly evolving regional technology landscape. Revolutionary Contributions to Cybersecurity Technology Abdul Kareem's most significant recent achievement involves his development of neural transformer-based models specifically engineered for cybersecurity network traffic analysis. In contrast to the classical signature-based detection mechanisms, the proposed solution by Shaik Abdul Kareem uses the Natural Language Processing methods to categorize the sequence of network packets and detect the zero-day threats with the highest precision rates ever. Abdul Kareem's patented system includes sophisticated components: a data collection module, preprocessing unit, feature extraction module, machine learning engine, real-time analysis engine, automated response module, and threat data integration module. This comprehensive approach addresses the fundamental limitations of traditional cybersecurity methods by leveraging AI and ML to detect subtle anomalies, reduce false positives, and process massive data volumes efficiently. The AI-based models created by Shaik Abdul Kareem are a paradigm change in terms of reactive to proactive security strategies. His systems are capable of detecting subtle anomalies that conventional cybersecurity solutions miss entirely, providing organizations with advanced threat protection capabilities that adapt to emerging security challenges in real-time. The AI Innovation in Transforming Healthcare Infrastructure Shaik Abdul Kareem's expertise extends significantly into healthcare technology, where his cloud-based AI solutions are revolutionizing patient care delivery. His latest research article, Cloud-Based AI Solutions in Public Health Surveillance and Crisis Management, shows how AI and Machine Learning models that run on cloud systems can improve public health surveillance in terms of predicting disease outbreaks and managing healthcare resources in a more efficient way. The applied value of the healthcare innovations of Abdul Kareem is immense. His AI/ML models can help hospitals and medical facilities to anticipate energy needs depending on the number of patients, the use of equipment, and other external factors, such as weather conditions, and optimize energy distribution without affecting the critical functions. Healthcare administrators report significant reductions in operational costs and carbon footprints following implementation of Abdul Kareem's energy optimization frameworks. Shaik Abdul Kareem has developed solutions that change the face of the public health infrastructure, making it better prepared and responsive to health crises by keeping it efficient. His work shows how the cloud-based AI and ML solutions can reshape the infrastructure of the public health sector and ultimately save lives and decrease the load on healthcare resources. Innovative Smart City Healthcare Integration The fact that Abdul Kareem can span the gap between various technological fields is evidenced by his vision of integrated smart city healthcare systems. His research explores how integrating healthcare into smart city infrastructures can improve patient care and public health outcomes through IoT device integration, AI-powered predictive analytics, and mobile health applications that expand access to care. The case studies in the implementations of Shaik Abdul Kareem in the large urban centers show that there are measurable improvements in the healthcare delivery. Cities utilizing his frameworks report enhanced emergency response times, improved resource allocation, and better patient outcomes through real-time health monitoring and predictive analytics systems. The healthcare models of the smart city created by Abdul Kareem show how technology can transform the delivery of healthcare in urban areas. His implementations in cities like Barcelona, Singapore, and London showcase advancements in action, demonstrating how technology is reshaping urban healthcare delivery through integrated IoT systems and predictive analytics. Healthcare Security Innovation with Blockchain The newest publication of Abdul Kareem tries to resolve important issues in healthcare data management by integrating blockchain technology. In his research paper, Blockchain Applications in Electronic Health Records (EHRs), he addresses the issues of scalability, regulatory compliance, and cost implications of using blockchain to implement healthcare systems. Shaik Abdul Kareem advocates for large-scale pilot programs, cross-border data exchange protocols, and standardized frameworks to support blockchain integration in healthcare. His solutions will guarantee data integrity, patient privacy, and regulatory compliance and allow smooth sharing of information within healthcare networks. The blockchain frameworks Abdul Kareem has created offer unmatched security and transparency of sensitive healthcare data. His efforts are already laying the framework of the next-generation electronic health record systems that will be both secure and interoperable. Energy Optimization and Sustainability Solutions In the research paper titled Optimizing Energy Usage in Hospitals and Medical Centers with AI/ML: Ensuring Continuous Critical Operations and Reducing Costs and Carbon Footprint, Shaik Abdul Kareem discusses how Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning can be used to forecast energy requirements using patient occupancy, equipment use, and external conditions such as weather conditions. The AI/ML system created by Abdul Kareem balances the energy distribution without affecting important operations. The paper shows considerable savings in operation expenses and carbon footprints, with extensive experimental findings and deployment structure. Healthcare facilities implementing Abdul Kareem's energy optimization solutions report substantial cost savings while maintaining the highest standards of patient care. Industry Awareness and Influence The works by Abdul Kareem have drawn the attention of the industry players and academic institutions. He is a Treasurer of the IEEE Atlanta Young Professionals group, and a Senior Member of IEEE, which demonstrates the respect his colleagues have towards his technical knowledge and leadership skills. The creative nature of Shaik Abdul Kareem in addressing complex infrastructure problems is always identified by the technology executives. Companies that have adopted his AI-based predictive models and AI/ML-driven frameworks indicate that they have minimized downtime in their operations by more than 30 percent and have improved their real-time security monitoring. His publications have appeared in leading technology magazines, and in recent publications he has been credited with making contributions to cloud computing advancements and AI-based security services. Abdul Kareem's research has been recognized by leading academic journals and international conferences, establishing him as a thought leader in cloud infrastructure and cybersecurity. Neural Transformers for Zero-Day Threat Detection Shaik Abdul Kareem's groundbreaking research paper "Neural Transformers for Zero-Day Threat Detection in Real-Time Cybersecurity Network Traffic Analysis" presents a novel approach to detecting zero-day threats in real-time network traffic using Neural Transformers originally designed for Natural Language Processing. The transformer model created by Abdul Kareem is specifically adjusted to the classification of network packet sequences and the identification of anomalies. The practical data prove that the transformer-based model proposed can perform much better in the zero-day threat detection than the conventional systems. This research has been recognized by the Social Science Research Network, with Abdul Kareem's paper listed among the top downloads in cybersecurity research. The Implications of the Work of Abdul Kareem in the Future Shaik Abdul Kareem's ongoing research continues to push the boundaries of what's possible in cloud infrastructure and AI-powered security systems. His work on generative AI applications in healthcare, energy optimization in medical facilities, and blockchain-based security frameworks positions him at the forefront of multiple converging technology trends. The flexibility and scalability of the solutions offered by Abdul Kareem are especially useful to organizations of any size. His models have been effectively applied in different sectors such as healthcare and finance, telecommunications and government services, which proves the universality of his innovative solutions. As cybersecurity threats continue to evolve and healthcare systems face increasing digitalization pressures, Shaik Abdul Kareem's contributions provide essential tools for organizations seeking to protect their digital assets while improving operational efficiency. His contribution is an important connection between advanced research in the field of AI and viable, implementable technologies that solve real problems. The technological frameworks and methodologies developed by Abdul Kareem are establishing new industry standards and influencing how organizations worldwide approach cloud security, healthcare technology integration, and smart city infrastructure development.
Straits Times
5 hours ago
- Straits Times
Critical infrastructure in S'pore under attack by cyber espionage group: Shanmugam
Find out what's new on ST website and app. UNC3886 is said to have targeted prominent strategic organisations on a global scale. SINGAPORE - The authorities are dealing with an ongoing attack on Singapore's critical information infrastructure by a state-sponsored cyber espionage group UNC3886. Naming the nation's attacker for the first time on July 18, Coordinating Minister for National Security K. Shanmugam said that Singapore is facing serious threats from state-linked advanced persistent threat (APT) actors. These are well-resourced attackers that use sophisticated techniques to evade detection. They lurk in networks to spy over the long term to steal sensitive information or disrupt essential services, among other objectives. 'UNC3886 poses a serious threat to us, and has the potential to undermine our national security,' said Mr Shanmugam at the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore's (CSA) 10th anniversary dinner at Sands Expo and Convention Centre. 'Even as we speak, UNC3886 is attacking our critical infrastructure right now.' Mr Shanmugam did not disclose UNC3886's sponsors, but experts have said that the group is linked to China. Cybersecurity firm Mandiant first detected the Chinese espionage group in 2022. UNC3886 is said to have targeted prominent strategic organisations - including those in the defence, technology and telecommunication sectors - on a global scale. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Who is UNC3886, the group that attacked S'pore's critical information infrastructure? Singapore HSA looking to get anti-vape cyber surveillance tool with AI capabilities Singapore Alleged Kpod peddler filmed trying to flee raid in Bishan charged with 6 offences Singapore NTU upholds zero grade for student who used AI in essay; panel found 14 false citations or data Singapore 30% of aviation jobs could be redesigned due to AI, automation; $200m fund to support workers: CAAS Singapore Former NUH male nurse faces charges after he allegedly molested man at hospital Singapore Character counts as much as grades, Desmond Lee tells students APT hackers like UNC3886 gain unauthorised access into networks by employing techniques such as custom malware and tools available on the victim's system to evade detection. Zero-day exploits, which are unpatched vulnerabilities, are also typically used to gain entry to networks. Mr Shanmugam said CSA and relevant agencies are actively dealing with the attack, and are working with critical information infrastructure owners. Describing UNC3886 as highly sophisticated and persistent in victim networks, he said: 'The intent of this threat actor is clear. They are going after high value and strategic targets.' If successful, APT attacks could cause a disruption to electricity supply, which could have a knock-on effect on other essential services such as healthcare or transport. Mr Shanmugam said the number of suspected APT attacks in Singapore has increased more than four-fold from 2021 to 2024. 'There are also economic implications. Our banks, airport, and industries would not be able to operate. Our economy can be substantially impacted,' he said. He cited APT attacks in Ukraine that caused a power outage. He also cited a cyber-attack on a South Korean telecommunications company in April 2025 that exposed the SIM data of nearly 27 million users and caused widespread concern in the country. 'Singapore has been attacked as well. We are a relevant country geopolitically. We are a digital and data hub that connects the world,' he said. 'People want to get into our systems, to both influence us and threaten us.' He highlighted some attacks from APT actors in Singapore that have been made public, but where the culprits were not named due to national security reasons. These include an incident in 2014, when the authorities detected a security breach in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' technology systems. Steps were taken to isolate the affected devices and the networks were strengthened following the discovery. In what was the first sophisticated attack against universities here, National University of Singapore and the Nanyang Technological University discovered intrusions in their networks in 2017. No classified data or student personal data was stolen. But the attackers were believed to have targeted the two institutions to steal government and research data. The varsities were involved in government-linked projects for the defence, foreign affairs and transport sectors. Then in 2018, Singapore experienced its worst data breach involving the personal particulars of 1.5 million patients , including then Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. The attacker in the SingHealth breach was said to be persistent in its efforts to penetrate the network, bypass the security measures and illegally access and exfiltrate data. The attacker is believed to have lurked in the healthcare group's network for at least nine months. Its mission: to access SingHealth's electronic medical records system, a critical information infrastructure in Singapore. The unauthorised transfer of sensitive data took place in 2018. Most recently in 2024, about 2,700 devices in Singapore were discovered to have been infected after CSA took part in a cyber operation against a global botnet. APT hackers behind the botnet exploited poor cyber hygiene practices to infect devices, including baby monitors and internet routers. No critical information infrastructure was affected by the attack.
