The Power of Technology at Christie’s

Written in collaboration with Marc Sands, Global CMO of Christie's

Image courtesy of Christie's Inc

Each of the world’s top four fine art auction houses has more than 220 years of service under their belt, and until a decade ago little had changed how they did business. Well, exactly how is new technology changing the auction world? Christie’s is the first major auction house that we’ll look at in order to answer this question.

“From top to bottom, inside and out,” said Marc Sands, Chief Marketing Officer at Christie’s. “I can’t think of an area in the company not impacted by new technology. This is a brick and mortar business coming to terms with the new world.”

While the 251-year-old auction house is looking at every aspect of its business, the main areas impacted so far by new technologies are: bidding, research, and relations with consignors and buyers.

Can Artificial Intelligence Become a Tool to Detect Art Forgeries?

Written in collaboration with Ahmed Elgammal, professor at Rutgers University

Learned art experts have long used the study of brushstrokes to help authenticate questionable paintings by the great masters. But acquiring a sufficient level of expertise took many years, if not an entire career. In the end, the few such sophisticated art scholars were only found in prominent art institutions and universities.

That’s all about to change.

Quite soon, almost anyone will be able to instantaneously access art knowledge and experience that previously took a lifetime to acquire.

On February 2 in New Orleans, the 32nd AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence will hear from Rutgers University Professor of Computer Science, Ahmed Elgammal, head of the Art and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory.

Art & AI: What Place for Human Artists in a Future Dominated by Artificial Intelligence

Written in collaboration with Ahmed Elgammal, professor at Rutgers University

Should intelligent machines someday have their own pavilion at the Venice Biennale? A decade ago that would have been a ridiculous and bizarre question. Today, however, following the latest developments in art and artificial intelligence (AI), it’s becoming relevant.

The creative professions have hitherto considered themselves immune to the rising onslaught of AI. That delusion is coming to an end. Like it or not, the age of Algorithmic art is here. While the art establishment is unlikely to embrace the new technology, (and probably will disparage it just like what happened when video art and performance art first appeared), the fact remains that this new technology and art form can’t be stopped.