A 'CREEPILY' realistic robot spent an afternoon with Oxford schoolgirls as they learnt about huge advances in artificial intelligence.

Ai-Da, the world’s first ultra-realistic robot artist, paid a visit to Headington School as pupils scrutinised the potential and limitations of machine-led intelligence.

The independent school asked girls to question the relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and issues such as authorship, ethics, creativity, empathy and learning.

Ai-Da was created by Aidan Meller, a parent of one of Headington School's pupils, and has attracted widespread interest in the scientific and artistic community.

One girl who met the robot said: "I was slightly creeped out when I first saw Ai-Da, however by the time I left, I really liked Ai-Da.

"The questions that were raised in the different activities challenged me."

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Headington School's director of art, Lacey Davies, said: "Headington School is acutely aware of the shifting tide in education.

"Digital technologies and the rise of artificial intelligence are already transforming the world of work for future generations and as such, it is also beginning to shape the landscape of education."

In summer the school broke ground on its new creativity and innovation centre, called the Hive, which is due to open in September 2021.

Ai-Da's visit last month was a headline event in the school’s wider creative thinking initiative.

The robot was displayed at an inaugural exhibition called Unsecured Futures, held at St John's College in Oxford in June and July.

Mrs Davies said Headington School had 'seized the challenge' of keeping up with the rapid changes.

She added: "It is positioning itself to capitalise on this movement in education, by developing the next level of creative thinking, adaptability and independence, preparing our students for the skills of tomorrow.”