**A.I.-Powered Robot's Painting of Alan Turing Sells for $1.1 Million**

A groundbreaking art piece created by a humanoid robot has fetched almost $1.1 million at auction, attracting considerable attention for its unique origins. This portrait of Alan Turing, the renowned British mathematician, was crafted by Ai-Da, a robot named after Ada Lovelace, the 19th-century pioneer of computer programming.

Aidan Meller, a former gallerist from Oxford, England, spearheaded this innovative endeavor with the help of a team of nearly 30 people. Ai-Da, which resembles a woman with a bob haircut, has been developed to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and creativity.

The work, titled "A.I. God. Portrait of Alan Turing," portrays Turing as the deity of artificial intelligence. It was featured in Sotheby's digital art sale, initially estimated to sell for between $120,000 and $180,000. However, the piece far surpassed expectations, with more than 27 bids pushing its final price close to $1.1 million. An anonymous buyer from the United States ultimately secured the painting.

Meller, reflecting on the auction's conclusion, described the moment as "slightly surreal" and a testament to the growing acceptance of AI's role in the art world. The proceeds from this notable sale are intended to fund further advancements in Ai-Da's design.