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The art market is at a crossroads, grappling with the implications of artificial intelligence (A.I.). While interest in this technology is on the rise, practical applications remain sparse, and many industry-specific tools are still emerging. Art firms find themselves under pressure to explore these advancements cautiously, especially following the downturn in the NFT market in 2022. Although A.I. is not poised to revolutionize the art sphere overnight, those who adopt it thoughtfully—particularly in data management, discovery, and operations—could achieve a competitive advantage in the near future.
Going Mainstream?
Conflicting narratives frame A.I. as either over-hyped or a major game-changer, creating uncertainty about investment timing. In a field where trust and relationships prevail, initial attempts to implement art-centric A.I. tools have often been sidelined. For instance, after its launch in 2022, the Web3 marketplace LiveArt specifically tailored its A.I. analytics to appeal to novice investors rather than seasoned collectors.
Bonhams’ Bond Street HQ London. Photo: Hufton+Crow/View Pictures/Universal Images Group via Getty Images.
However, A.I. is beginning to make its mark on the mainstream. In March, Bonhams announced a collaboration with tech firm ARTDAI, recognized as a provider of advanced market analytics for fine art. Bonhams CEO Seth Johnson explained that this partnership enables the historic auction house to investigate how A.I. can assist specialists, particularly in identifying market trends and improving valuation processes.
A Size Issue
These B2B innovations could transform the landscape. During an A.I.-oriented course at Art Market Minds Academy this week, former Art Basel chief Marc Spiegler highlighted that the art industry’s relatively small scale has hindered its adaptation to previous technological advancements. Unlike sectors such as retail or real estate, there has been limited incentive for tech developers to create art-specific solutions. Only a select few mega-galleries could afford to invest heavily in tailored sales management systems.
Nevertheless, Spiegler anticipates a “significant shift” as A.I. makes high-performance technology accessible to smaller businesses and individuals for whom investment was previously unattainable. Companies like ARTDAI and the newly merged Artsy and Artnet prioritize equipping galleries with advanced A.I. capabilities.
Recently, ARTDAI has experienced heightened interest from art businesses of all sizes, with CEO Alican Arcasoy noting that the firm’s main focus remains on auction houses, such as Heritage Auctions and Strauss & Co., as well as insurance providers. A key service they offer involves restructuring complex datasets to prepare them for future deployment of A.I. technologies.
Two people work at a laptop while sitting in front of artworks by Argentine-Italian artist Lucio Fontana during Miart on April 3, 2025 in Milan. Photo: Emanuele Cremaschi/Getty Images.
Thinking Inventively
Currently, art firms can start leveraging A.I. in innovative ways. Across various sectors, A.I. is primarily employed for “discovery,” enabling personalized recommendations for buyers, which can lead to increased sales. Speaking at the Art Market Minds event, tech investor and collector Alan Lau challenged attendees to consider their visibility in the A.I. landscape. He emphasized the importance of optimizing content for A.I. chatbots, which have become essential research tools.
Lau also proposed an intriguing idea: using A.I. similarly to the character “Emily” from The Devil Wears Prada (2006), who possesses an exceptional memory of client relationships. This concept underpins First Thursday, a “collector intelligence” platform that utilizes algorithms to compile data, making it easy to query information about new clients or track long-term purchasing patterns among loyal customers.
Early adopters are already harnessing A.I. for sales techniques. “This isn’t futuristic; it’s not two years away,” Lau insisted. The time for action is now.
The Bottom Line
If art businesses have been understandably cautious about embracing A.I., the reasons for delaying are diminishing. Even smaller firms with limited resources can now access a range of increasingly sophisticated art-specific tools and services that maximize their data’s potential. The balance of risk and reward has never been more favorable.
