Beeple on NFTs, AI, and the Future of Digital Art

Beeple — arguably the biggest digital art trailblazer today — joins us on the podcast to share his thoughts on the revolutionary changes shaking up the art world.

For those uninitiated, Beeple's "EVERYDAYS: THE FIRST 5000 DAYS" is the most expensive NFT ever sold, fetching $69.3 million in 2021 (equivalent to $81.6 million in 2024). It was also the first purely NFT artwork to be auctioned at a major auction house, Christie's.

Beeple is leading the charge on the future of art (and the art of the future):

A few takeaways from this episode:

1. The Evolution of Digital Art Collecting

The blockchain is completely transforming how the public percieves and collects digital art. Before the latest NFT craze, digital art didn’t get much love from the traditional art scene. But now that the blockchain has the power to prove the rarity (and authenticity) of digital pieces, it’s driven up demand. This technological sea change is opening up exciting opportunities for artists and collectors alike.

2. Owning Virtual Objects

Owning virtual items like digital images and NFTs is a relatively new concept that really took off in the mainstream during the pandemic....and it's flipping the traditional idea of art ownership on its head. It's a lot like how we started valuing physical collectibles like baseball cards—as more people get into digital art, owning virtual objects is becoming more of the norm. While the initial NFT wave may have died down, the groundwork for the future has been laid.

3. The AI Revolution in Art

You'd probably guess that Beeple is against AI's impact on art and design...but that's not really the case. He notes that tools like AI upscalers and generative models are actually making it easier for artists to create and design. These tools help creatives focus on their big ideas without getting bogged down by tiny details.For more on Beeple’s thoughts on NFTs, AI, and the future of digital art, check out the full podcast episode!