The art world is grappling with the integration of artificial intelligence, as some artists and galleries experiment with the technology while many institutions remain cautious or behind in adoption. Recent discussions, including those at The Academy’s “AI in the Art Market” course hosted by Art Market Minds, explored the potential for AI to transform roles within the industry—ranging from dealers replicating themselves to curators deploying virtual agents to organize exhibitions. Despite these futuristic concepts, the broader art market has yet to fully embrace AI beyond basic administrative tasks.

Several artists have actively incorporated AI into their creative processes. Rachel Maclean, who represented Scotland at the Venice Biennale in 2017, has developed AI models trained on her image and artistic style, describing the experience as a form of collaboration with another artist. Similarly, Turkish American artist Refik Anadol is opening Dataland, billed as the world’s first museum dedicated to AI art, in Los Angeles next month. These examples underscore an increasing openness among some creators toward AI’s disruptive possibilities, even as legal and ethical questions, especially surrounding copyright, remain unsettled.

Within galleries, however, AI’s role is largely operational rather than strategic. A survey of 103 galleries by startup First Thursday found that 84 percent of staff use AI tools daily, primarily for managing emails, research, and transcription, according to an Artsy study involving more than 300 art businesses. Jennifer Candelario, senior director of IT at Pace gallery, emphasized that the market needs to modernize its operational backbone, noting the potential for AI to move beyond isolated functions toward coordinated support across multiple systems.

Auction houses, as larger-scale players, are adopting AI more proactively. Sotheby’s acquired Artrac Genius, an image recognition and recommendation company, in 2018, while Christie’s Ventures invested in the valuation tool Artsignal last year. Smaller businesses also have access to emerging AI-enabled platforms like First Thursday, which analyzes client profiles and purchasing patterns to improve sales conversion—an area historically characterized by low rates from inquiry to purchase.

Nonetheless, the adoption of AI raises concerns across the art market. Resistance stems partly from the art world’s preference for in-person experiences and the subjective nature of artistic judgment, which some fear could be undermined by AI’s “perfection.” The proliferation of low-quality AI-generated content has been criticized within galleries and museums, sparking backlash on social media. Privacy and data security issues also pose risks, as many gallery staff use AI tools through personal accounts without institutional oversight. Aimée Scala, a partner at law firm Mazzola Lindstrom LLP, warns of vulnerabilities in handling sensitive client information.

Job displacement, especially among junior roles, is widely anticipated as AI adoption grows amid the industry’s financial pressures. However, some argue that knowledge-based roles in the art sector may be less affected than administrative functions.

Marc Spiegler, co-founder of The Academy and former global director of Art Basel, described the current phase as navigating “entirely new territory” amid rapid and unpredictable change. He urged art businesses to choose between leading innovation or becoming victims of technological disruption, framing AI as an unavoidable force reshaping the industry’s future.