Artificial intelligence continues to struggle in producing a regal likeness without an eerie, unsettling outcome.
In a significant stride for artificial intelligence (AI) art, robot artist Ai-Da unveiled a new portrait of King Charles III during the AI for Good summit hosted by the United Nations in Geneva. The painting, titled "Algorithm King," serves as the sequel to Ai-Da's previous work, the 2022 portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, and marks a notable improvement in the creation of non-creepy, realistic likenesses of English monarchs [1].
The 2025 portrait, displayed alongside Ai-Da’s earlier painting of Queen Elizabeth II, features a style that departs from the "creepy" or uncanny valley effects often seen in early AI-generated images of historical figures. Ai-Da's technique involves the use of bright strokes overlaying darker colors, giving an abstract yet believable impression [1]. This approach signifies progress in achieving portraits that are artistically expressive yet retain a respectful and accurate likeness.
The evolution of AI representations of historical and royal figures has been on a steady path towards greater realism and sophistication. Recent examples of AI-generated images of Cleopatra and Ada Lovelace serve as testament to this [3]. Experts observe that AI is not only enhancing artistic quality but also fostering cultural and historical engagement through imagery, suggesting an ongoing trend toward more authentic and relatable depictions [2].
However, the new portrait has sparked some criticism, with detractors arguing that it does not represent a significant improvement in AI's ability to create non-creepy likenesses of English monarchs. Despite this, the painting was one of the notable attractions at the AI for Good summit, a platform focused on identifying innovative AI applications, building skills and standards, and advancing partnerships to solve global challenges [4].
Ai-Da's AI capabilities stem from PhD students and professors at the Universities of Oxford and Birmingham. The artist, who uses cameras in her eyes, AI algorithms, and her robotic arm to draw, completed the painting with finishing brush strokes after analyzing a particular image of King Charles using computer vision and AI algorithms [5]. The final portrait was built up in multiple layers and enlarged to make the final 3D textured image.
As AI art generation continues to advance, learning how to spot AI images becomes increasingly important. The blue brush strokes in Ai-Da's painting resemble force lightning-esque effects, while the mottled skin and deranged smile evoke serious Emperor Palpatine vibes, reminding us that AI-generated art still carries a touch of the artificial [6].
In the distant future, the first officially commissioned AI Royal portrait may still be a long way away. Nevertheless, Ai-Da's work serves as a testament to the rapidly evolving capabilities of AI in art, offering a glimpse into a future where AI and human creativity blend seamlessly to create captivating works of art.
References:
- The Guardian
- BBC News
- Wired
- UN AI for Good
- The Telegraph
- Ars Technica
- Ai-Da, an artist using AI, designed a 2025 portrait of King Charles III titled "Algorithm King," showcasing improvements in AI-generated realistic likenesses.
- The painting style of "Algorithm King" deviated from the uncanny valley effects common in early AI-generated images, opting for bright strokes over darker colors to create an abstract yet believable impression.
- The new portrait and its predecessor, of Queen Elizabeth II, were exhibited at the AI for Good summit, demonstrating AI's potential in art and cultural engagement.
- While some critics have argued that "Algorithm King" doesn't signify a significant leap in AI's ability to generate non-creepy English monarch portraits, many find it to be a notable attraction.
- Ai-Da's AI-powered artistry involves analyzing specific images using computer vision and AI algorithms before applying finishing brush strokes, resulting in multilayered and enlarged 3D textured images.
- The painting's blue brush strokes and mottled skin have been compared to force lightning and Emperor Palpatine, hinting at AI-generated art still carrying traces of the artificial.
- AI-generated art's advancement has prompted a need to learn how to identify these works, as they blend human and machine creativity to produce captivating pieces.
- The vision of the first officially commissioned AI Royal portrait may still be distant, but Ai-Da's work stands as an example of the future modalities of AI and human art collaboration.
