Comment | AI can't beat my art detective skills yet—but if it does I have a plan B
Google Lens couldn't identify my recently acquired 17th-century portrait this time—but if the machines do take over, there are some art jobs it surely can't replace
Art historian Bendor Grosvenor reflects on the role of artificial intelligence in the art world. He believes that while AI may become increasingly developed, it has yet to prove capable of handling priceless artworks. Grosvenor, already well-qualified in this area, explains how he can move art securely himself, using just cardboard and bubble wrap.
He notes that loan exhibitions, which have traditionally been vital for museums, have become scarce due to the high costs and complexities involved in moving art. A recent example is a mid-17th-century portrait of Dorothy Hobart, which Grosvenor used as a teaching aid at the Royal Academy. Despite using artificial intelligence tools, he was the only one who correctly identified the artist as John Michael Wright.
This incident highlights the limitations of AI in the field of connoisseurship, as it often fails to provide accurate results. Grosvenor suggests that AI still has a long way to go before it can replace human expertise in art authentication and handling.
Written by urgent.news from The Art Newspaper's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
