• Ai-Da, the world's first ultra-realistic robot artist, right, has made a new portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, titled 'Algorithm Queen', in celebration of the British monarch’s platinum jubilee. Photo: Midas
    Ai-Da, the world's first ultra-realistic robot artist, right, has made a new portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, titled 'Algorithm Queen', in celebration of the British monarch’s platinum jubilee. Photo: Midas
  • Ai-Da may be the first robot to create a portrait of the monarch, but she certainly isn't the first artist. Here American Pop artist Andy Warhol holds a silkscreen print of Queen Elizabeth in his studio, the Factory, in New York, 1985. Getty Images
    Ai-Da may be the first robot to create a portrait of the monarch, but she certainly isn't the first artist. Here American Pop artist Andy Warhol holds a silkscreen print of Queen Elizabeth in his studio, the Factory, in New York, 1985. Getty Images
  • A portrait of Queen Elizabeth by Lucian Freud hangs during an exhibition at Windsor Castle in 2012. Getty Images
    A portrait of Queen Elizabeth by Lucian Freud hangs during an exhibition at Windsor Castle in 2012. Getty Images
  • A preliminary sketch of Queen Elizabeth for the first banknote to carry a portrait of the monarch, issued on March 17, 1960, is seen in the Bank of England Museum in 2010. Getty Images
    A preliminary sketch of Queen Elizabeth for the first banknote to carry a portrait of the monarch, issued on March 17, 1960, is seen in the Bank of England Museum in 2010. Getty Images
  • A portrait by artist Chris Levine depicting Queen Elizabeth is displayed at Asprey in London in 2012. The portrait incorporates a diadem, which was created by the jewellers Asprey in conjunction with the artist as part of the diamond jubilee celebrations. Getty Images
    A portrait by artist Chris Levine depicting Queen Elizabeth is displayed at Asprey in London in 2012. The portrait incorporates a diadem, which was created by the jewellers Asprey in conjunction with the artist as part of the diamond jubilee celebrations. Getty Images
  • A portrait of the queen by artist Darren Baker is unveiled at Church House, Westminster, in 2011. Getty Images
    A portrait of the queen by artist Darren Baker is unveiled at Church House, Westminster, in 2011. Getty Images
  • A Royal Mint engraver looks at the new coinage portrait, centre, of Queen Elizabeth at The National Portrait Gallery in London, 2015. Getty Images
    A Royal Mint engraver looks at the new coinage portrait, centre, of Queen Elizabeth at The National Portrait Gallery in London, 2015. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth unveils a portrait of herself by artist Colin Davidson at Crosby Hall, London, in 2016. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth unveils a portrait of herself by artist Colin Davidson at Crosby Hall, London, in 2016. Getty Images
  • The 1963 plaster cast known as the 'Dressed Head' by Arnold Machin, which provided the portrait of Queen Elizabeth to be used on British stamps from 1967, on display at the Postal Museum, London, in 2017. Getty Images
    The 1963 plaster cast known as the 'Dressed Head' by Arnold Machin, which provided the portrait of Queen Elizabeth to be used on British stamps from 1967, on display at the Postal Museum, London, in 2017. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth views a portrait of herself by British artist Henry Ward, marking six decades of patronage to the British Red Cross, after it was unveiled at Windsor Castle in 2016. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth views a portrait of herself by British artist Henry Ward, marking six decades of patronage to the British Red Cross, after it was unveiled at Windsor Castle in 2016. Getty Images
  • A woman photographs a painting by artist Justin Mortimer, entitled 'The Queen', in the National Portrait Gallery, London, in 2012. Getty Images
    A woman photographs a painting by artist Justin Mortimer, entitled 'The Queen', in the National Portrait Gallery, London, in 2012. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth looks at a new painting by BP Portrait Award 2017 winner, Benjamin Sullivan. The portrait was commissioned to celebrate 100 years of the RAF Club, in 2018. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth looks at a new painting by BP Portrait Award 2017 winner, Benjamin Sullivan. The portrait was commissioned to celebrate 100 years of the RAF Club, in 2018. Getty Images
  • Conservators conduct a condition report on a portrait of the queen before it is placed inside the Chapter House at Westminster Abbey, in 2013. Getty Images
    Conservators conduct a condition report on a portrait of the queen before it is placed inside the Chapter House at Westminster Abbey, in 2013. Getty Images
  • Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge inspects a portrait of Queen Elizabeth painted by New Zealand artist Nick Cuthell and unveiled during a state reception in Wellington, in 2014. Getty Images
    Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge inspects a portrait of Queen Elizabeth painted by New Zealand artist Nick Cuthell and unveiled during a state reception in Wellington, in 2014. Getty Images
  • Canadian artist Phil Richards and Canada's then-prime minister, Stephen Harper, stand with Queen Elizabeth as she unveils a portrait of herself in the White Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace, in 2012. Getty Images
    Canadian artist Phil Richards and Canada's then-prime minister, Stephen Harper, stand with Queen Elizabeth as she unveils a portrait of herself in the White Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace, in 2012. Getty Images
  • Rob Munday unveils a never seen before portrait of Queen Elizabeth at 45 Park Lane in London in May this year. Getty Images
    Rob Munday unveils a never seen before portrait of Queen Elizabeth at 45 Park Lane in London in May this year. Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II portrait by robot Ai-Da unveiled for platinum jubilee


Paul Carey
  • English
  • Arabic

A portrait of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II painted by Ai-Da — an artificial intelligence robot artist — has been unveiled before the platinum jubilee.

Titled Algorithm Queen, the painting features the queen dressed in blue with a feather in her hat and wearing a pearl necklace.

The ultra-realistic humanoid robot artist — named after 19th-century mathematician and scientist Ada Lovelace — was built in 2019 and creates drawings, paintings and sculptures.

The artistic process was designed to reflect the different aspects of technological change that have taken place during the Queen’s 70-year reign.

Speaking to The National in April, its creator Aidan Meller, a gallerist and academic, described Ai-Da as an artist in her own right, able to express creativity through drawings, poetry, paintings and sculpture much as a human artist would. No two works of hers are the same.

Ai-Da at the Venice Art Biennale. EPA
Ai-Da at the Venice Art Biennale. EPA

To start, Ai-Da uses cameras in its eyes and its memory, before using a variety of algorithms to paint, draw and abstract images.

A robotic arm lets it turn its digital formations into physical drawings and paintings.

Algorithm Queen was layered and scaled to produce the final multi-dimensional portrait of the monarch.

Ai-Da is also able to converse using a specially designed language model.

It said: “I’d like to thank Her Majesty the Queen for her dedication, and for the service she gives to so many people.

“She is an outstanding, courageous woman who is utterly committed to public service.

“I think she’s an amazing human being, and I wish the queen a very happy platinum jubilee.”

A series of events are planned in the UK for the weekend of the jubilee, including street parties, pageants and a star-studded concert.

“We are in unprecedented technological times, and so we are pleased we can take a moment to think about all that has changed during the queen’s life." said creator Aidan Meller. AFP
“We are in unprecedented technological times, and so we are pleased we can take a moment to think about all that has changed during the queen’s life." said creator Aidan Meller. AFP

The queen, who has struggled with her health and mobility in recent months, was seen earlier this week using an electric buggy to visit Chelsea Flower Show. She missed the State Opening of Parliament and will not attend Trooping the Colour during the jubilee celebrations.

Ai-Da was devised in Oxford by Mr Meller, a specialist in modern and contemporary art, before being built in Cornwall by humanoid entertainment robot company Engineered Arts and programmed internationally.

The robot’s capabilities were developed by PhD students and professors at the universities of Oxford and Birmingham.

Mr Meller said: “We are in unprecedented technological times, and so we are pleased we can take a moment to think about all that has changed during the queen’s life.

Algorithm Queen by Ai-Da robot gives us a marker of how far things have come in her life, and a great way to acknowledge her faithful service.”

The artwork will be exhibited publicly in London later this year and revealed on the Ai-Da robot artist website on Friday.

The queen has posed for more than 200 portraits since the age of seven. Most were painted in a traditional style.

But Lucien Freud's in 2001 proved controversial: one critic said it made her look like one of her corgi dogs.

The queen in art

Meanwhile, portrayals of the queen by up to 52 established and emerging international artists will make up a celebratory exhibition to mark the platinum jubilee will take place at gallery@oxo on London’s South Bank next month.

Images of works from Art Save the Queen will be displayed on prominent London Underground poster sites at Victoria station before and during the exhibition. Selected pieces will be made into NFTs, with a scheduled drop date of June 2.

Organiser Dylan Roberts said the queen is “a true icon and an inspiration to people everywhere” and he has been overwhelmed by the work the artistic community is submitting.

Britain is marking the queen's diamond jubilee with four-day bank holiday weekend, from Thursday, June 2 to Sunday, June 6.

  • A young Queen Elizabeth II against a Union flag backdrop created by musician and graffiti artist Goldie. Portraits of the queen by up to 52 urban, graffiti and contemporary artists are going on show to mark her platinum jubilee. All photos: PA
    A young Queen Elizabeth II against a Union flag backdrop created by musician and graffiti artist Goldie. Portraits of the queen by up to 52 urban, graffiti and contemporary artists are going on show to mark her platinum jubilee. All photos: PA
  • A oil painting of a tattooed Queen Elizabeth by artist Will Teather.
    A oil painting of a tattooed Queen Elizabeth by artist Will Teather.
  • The Queen created by mixed media artist Louisa Tebbutt.
    The Queen created by mixed media artist Louisa Tebbutt.
  • A composed queen wearing the crown and cloak with a red Louis Vuitton pattern created by visual artist Karen Bystedt.
    A composed queen wearing the crown and cloak with a red Louis Vuitton pattern created by visual artist Karen Bystedt.
  • A portrait by contemporary artist Nasser Azam.
    A portrait by contemporary artist Nasser Azam.
  • Queen Elizabeth depicted in designer sunglasses as she stands in her regal Order of the Garter robesm created by ballpoint artist James Mylnes.
    Queen Elizabeth depicted in designer sunglasses as she stands in her regal Order of the Garter robesm created by ballpoint artist James Mylnes.
  • First Lady by Ernesto Romano. Photo: Ad Lib Gallery
    First Lady by Ernesto Romano. Photo: Ad Lib Gallery
  • 70 by Ben Riley. Photo: Ad Lib Gallery
    70 by Ben Riley. Photo: Ad Lib Gallery
  • The Queen by Andrew Gow. Photo: Ad Lib Gallery
    The Queen by Andrew Gow. Photo: Ad Lib Gallery
  • Multividuality by Elena Cecchinato. Photo: Ad Lib Gallery
    Multividuality by Elena Cecchinato. Photo: Ad Lib Gallery
  • Queen Elizabeth II by Will Teather. Photo: Ad Lib Gallery
    Queen Elizabeth II by Will Teather. Photo: Ad Lib Gallery
  • Double Faced Queen by Michal Cole. Photo: Ad Lib Gallery
    Double Faced Queen by Michal Cole. Photo: Ad Lib Gallery
  • Penny For Your Thoughts by James Vaulkhard. Photo: Ad Lib Gallery
    Penny For Your Thoughts by James Vaulkhard. Photo: Ad Lib Gallery

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Updated: May 27, 2022, 12:29 PM