Presented by María José Martabit, CEO, Theodora AI and Laura Bardier, Director, ESTE ARTE.
We are thrilled to announce that ESTE ARTE and THEODORA AI have partnered to launch the Premio Theodora, a groundbreaking commission award promoting the ethical integration of Artificial Intelligence in arts.
In Spanish, without translation.
Open to the public.
ESTE | Theodora Prize for Ethical AI Artwork Production
Presented by Theodora AI and ESTE ARTE, this groundbreaking initiative invites artists from across South America to explore the intersection of art and technology, emphasizing the importance of ethics. The prize: $20,000 USD to produce the most outstanding artwork that integrates AI in an ethical manner.
“This is the world’s first competition promoting the ethical integration of artificial intelligence in art,” says Sofía Arrigoni, partner and director of the tech firm.
Theodora AI, a company specializing in detecting biases through artificial intelligence, announced that, together with Uruguay's leading art fair ESTE ARTE, they will award $20,000 USD to the artist who creates and presents an original AI-based artwork in an ethical way. The competition, called “Theodora Prize: Ethical AI in Art,” will officially launch during ESTE ARTE’s 11th edition, taking place January 4–7, 2025, when the rules and guidelines will also be shared.
“This is the first contest in the world to promote the ethical integration of AI in art; for Theodora, it is an honor to do so alongside one of the most important art fairs in the region. This initiative is part of our collaboration with ESTE ARTE, where we aim to push the boundaries of technology and ethics,” says Sofía Arrigoni, partner and director of Theodora AI. Arrigoni, a lawyer and executive responsible for the international expansion of the company, added that the competition will be open for submissions from January to May 2025 and welcomes artists from around the world.
María José Martabit, CEO of Theodora AI, highlighted the ethical dimension: “Just as we have addressed biases in other industries, it is equally important to promote responsible use of AI in art. Combining art and technology opens up new possibilities for expression and engagement, where innovation and conscious creation are key. The world needs more connections like this: where innovation, technology, and art converge to leave a meaningful mark,” added Martabit.
“ESTE ARTE has profoundly transformed the cultural scene in the region, creating a market that did not previously exist. Today, it is an unmissable and exclusive cultural summit; we constantly work towards a more respectful and sustainable world. In this sense, the Theodora Prize aligns perfectly with our core values,” says Bardier.
The selection committee for the Theodora Prize will be composed of distinguished curators and scientists. The winning artwork will be showcased at the 12th edition of ESTE ARTE in January 2026.
The Theodora Prize is an award for the commission of a new AI-based artwork, with a focus on ethical practices.
About ESTE ARTE
ESTE ARTE is an annual event in Uruguay, established as a key platform in the Latin American art circuit. Since its inception, ESTE ARTE has stood out as a meeting point for galleries, artists, collectors, curators, and the general public, offering a space for discovery, reflection, and cultural exchange. With a rigorous curatorial focus, the fair features a selection of prestigious international galleries showcasing works by both established and emerging artists. ESTE ARTE not only emphasizes art as a commercial entity but also as a tool for understanding and transforming the world we inhabit. Each edition includes talks, panels, and educational activities aimed at fostering dialogue and enriching visitor experiences. Committed to social, economic, and ecological sustainability, ESTE ARTE champions responsible practices within the art ecosystem. Additionally, it has become a crucial bridge connecting the vibrant Latin American art scene with the rest of the world, fostering cultural exchange and showcasing the richness of regional art. ESTE ARTE is more than an art fair: it is a gateway to new ideas, sensibilities, and artistic horizons.
About Theodora AI
Theodora AI is a company that develops disruptive technology using artificial intelligence tools to protect organizations’ reputations by detecting, correcting, and measuring biases in communications and algorithms. By analyzing texts and phrases, Theodora’s technology identifies and mitigates biases in documents and social media posts, detecting gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic, and personal biases. It creates metrics and diagnoses reputational risk based on the predominant biases within an organization. Theodora educates users about unconscious biases, which are often invisible to those who possess them. Its revolutionary AI technology addresses these hidden biases, the cornerstone of discrimination.
The company’s name, Theodora, honors Empress Theodora, wife of Justinian, who achieved equal power but whose role was minimized due to the biases of her time. Inspired by her legacy, Theodora AI’s mission is to eliminate discrimination and build a more inclusive, bias-free society.