Among the highlighted pieces is Pindar Van Arman's 'Emerging Faces' series, which consists of nine unique canvases estimated to sell for between $180,000 and $250,000.

An open letter demanding the cancellation of the auction has already gathered over 3,000 signatures, reflecting significant public discontent regarding the ethical implications of AI art.

Christie's has established a strong presence in the digital art market, previously making headlines by selling Beeple's NFT for a record $69.3 million in 2021.

Christie's is set to host its first auction dedicated exclusively to art created with artificial intelligence, known as the Augmented Intelligence sale, from February 20 to March 5, 2025.

Nicole Sales Giles, Christie's Director of Digital Art, emphasizes that AI serves to enhance human creativity rather than replace it in the artistic process.

Another notable work is Refik Anadol's 'Machine Hallucinations - ISS Dreams,' which utilizes a dataset of images from the International Space Station and is estimated at $150,000 to $200,000.

Critics, including Ed Newton-Rex, have voiced concerns on social media about Christie's promotion of AI art, particularly regarding the use of artworks from various artists without permission.

The auction aims to highlight human agency in the realm of AI-generated fine art, with various artworks displayed at Christie's Rockefeller Center starting on February 20.

The announcement of the auction has ignited a debate over copyright infringement, as critics argue that AI art tools have been trained on existing artists' works without their consent.

Critics express concerns about the ethical implications of AI art, particularly regarding copyright issues and the potential threat to artists' livelihoods.

The collection will feature over 20 works from notable digital artists, including Pindar Van Arman, Harold Cohen, and Alexander Reben, who explore the intersection of automation and human creativity.

The auction will allow cryptocurrency payments for 93% of the lots, indicating a growing trend towards digital transactions in the art world.