Portrait of The Queen painted by a robot is revealed
The painting Algorithm Queen was created by robot artist Ai-Da Robot
Last updated 27th May 2022
A portrait of the Queen painted by a robot artist has been revealed ahead of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
The painting was made by Ai-Da Robot, an ultra-realistic humanoid and artificial intelligence robot built in 2019 that creates drawings, painting, and sculptures.
Its work has been titled ‘Algorithm Queen’.
How does Ai-Da Robot create art?
To begin, Ai-Da Robot uses cameras in its eyes and its computer memory, then uses a variety of unique algorithms to paint, draw and abstract images.
Its robotic arm lets it turn its digital formations into physical drawings and paintings.
Ai-Da Robot, named after 18th century mathematician and scientist Ada Lovelace, is also able to converse using a specially designed language model.
Robot artist painting of The Queen
Algorithm Queen was layered and scaled to produce the final multi-dimensional portrait of the monarch.
The machine's artistic process was designed to reflect the different aspects of technological change that have taken place during the Queen's 70-year reign.
Celebrating Her Majesty The Queen’s Jubilee
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."
Where was Ai-Da Robot built?
Ai-Da Robot was devised in Oxford by Aidan Meller, a specialist in modern and contemporary art, before being built in Cornwall by 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: "Thank you to the Queen for her 70 years of service, we are excited Ai-Da Robot has made history just in time for the Queen's Jubilee.
"The Queen has been a stable and strong leader in a period of extraordinary change and development in history. 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."
Algorithm Queen will be exhibited publicly in London later this year and revealed on the Ai-Da Robot artist website at 10am on May 27.
The Queen's Platinum Jubilee programme
Thursday 2nd June: Trooping the Colour
To mark the Queen's official birthday, over 1400 soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians are coming together in what the official Royal Family website describes as "a great display of military precision, horsemanship and fanfare". The event will consist of a musical parade where soldiers will salute the Queen. The traditional march then closes with a fly-past by the Royal Air Force, which the Royal Family typically watch from the Buckingham Palace balcony.
Thursday 2nd June: Platinum Jubilee Beacons
At Buckingham Palace, the Principal Beacon (which traditionally has been lit to mark the Queen's jubilee), will be 'lit' on Thursday. This jubilee beacon however is set to be a little different to previous jubilee celebrations, as a large living tree sculpture by British designer Thomas Heatherwick is being used. The lighting installation within this structure will act as the lighting of the principal beacon to reflect the Royal Family's commitment to environmental causes. A Palace spokeswoman has said on the sculpture: "It's 21 metres high – that's the height of three giraffes." Throughout the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories, other beacons are being lit in celebration.
Friday 3rd June: Service of Thanksgiving
A Service of Thanksgiving for the Queen's reign will be held at St Paul's Cathedral. This is in keeping with tradition as ever since 1897, the cathedral has hosted Jubilee services. St Paul's are also hosting an exhibition exploring the history of Jubilee celebrations at the cathedral across three centuries. This has been open to the public since May 25th.
Saturday 4th June: Platinum Party at the Palace
On Saturday, big names Diana Ross and George Ezra are set to perform at a concert at Buckingham Palace to celebrate the most significant moments from the Queen's reign. Live coverage will be broadcast on BBC One and will be hosted by Kirsty Young and Roman Kemp and co-presented by Huw Edwards, Clare Balding, AJ Odudu and Anita Rani.
Sunday 5th June: Big Jubilee Lunch
Street parties are being planned across the UK and neighbours are expected to join together for food and fun to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee. This will mark the end of the bank holiday. It is also the day that pubs stop opening until 1am, giving everyone a reason to relax and have an early night.
Sunday 5th June: Platinum Jubilee Pageant
Performers will come together in London to tell the story of the Queen's reign through a pageant. This will include a "River of Hope" section made up of 200 silk flags that will make its way through The Mall, appearing like a moving river. In 2012, there was a similar parade of 670 boats on the Tideway of the River Thames in London as part of the celebrations for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
July: The Royal Collection Trust
Three displays marking the Queen's accession to the throne, the Coronation and Jubilees will be put on at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
12th-15th May: Platinum Jubilee Celebration Performance
In celebration of the Queen's 70 years on the throne, more than 500 horses and 1,000 performers took part in a 90-minute show taking the Windsor Castle audience through history right from Elizabeth I to the present day.
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