Artificial intelligence is rapidly finding its way into almost every industry, and the art market is no exception. Over the past few months, I've noticed an increasing number of companies promoting AI-powered valuation services, promising collectors an instant, up-to-date estimate of what their artwork is worth.
On the face of it, it sounds appealing. Enter a few details, wait a few seconds, and receive a valuation generated from thousands of auction results and market statistics.
But I can't help asking a simple question: is that really what serious collectors are looking for?
For lower-value works or someone who simply wants a rough indication, AI undoubtedly has its place. It's fast, accessible and capable of processing huge amounts of data in seconds. As a research tool, it's genuinely impressive.
However, once you're dealing with significant works of art, I believe the conversation changes completely.
Collectors don't simply want to know what a painting sold for at auction six months ago. They want to understand why values are moving, whether now is the right time to sell, who the most likely buyers are, whether a private sale would outperform an auction, and how wider market conditions might influence the outcome.
Those questions aren't answered by statistics alone.
The art market has always been built on relationships, trust and experience. Two works by the same artist can have dramatically different values because of provenance, exhibition history, condition, colour, subject matter, rarity or simply changing collector demand. Understanding those subtleties comes from years spent looking at works, speaking to collectors, negotiating sales and watching markets evolve.
Equally important is the strategy behind a valuation.
Knowing an artwork is worth £250,000 is one thing. Knowing how to achieve £250,000—and whether it's even the right time to try—is something entirely different. Sometimes the best advice is not to sell at all. Sometimes the ideal buyer isn't actively searching today but will be six months from now. Sometimes introducing a work quietly through trusted relationships produces a significantly better result than placing it in a public auction.
Those decisions rely on judgement, not algorithms.
None of this is to dismiss artificial intelligence. In fact, I use AI myself. It's an incredibly powerful tool for analysing information, identifying trends, organising research and improving efficiency. It allows professionals to spend less time processing data and more time focusing on the people they work with.
Perhaps that's where the real opportunity lies.
Rather than replacing expertise, AI should enhance it.
As our industry embraces new technology, I hope we don't lose sight of what has always made the art market unique. Collecting art isn't simply a financial transaction; it's an emotional, deeply personal experience. The conversations, the stories, the shared excitement of discovering the right piece, and the confidence that comes from trusted advice are all things that no software can truly replicate.
Technology will undoubtedly continue to reshape the art world, and that's something to welcome. But when it comes to understanding not just what an artwork is worth, but what it means and what should happen next, I still believe the human touch remains invaluable.