Hollywood Divided Over AI Actress Tilly Norwood
A heated debate has erupted in Hollywood following the debut of Tilly Norwood, an AI-generated actress. Created by Eline Van der Velden of Xicoia, Norwood's potential representation by talent agencies has sparked outrage among actors and unions, raising concerns about the future of human artistry in the entertainment industry.
The Rise of Tilly Norwood
Tilly Norwood is the brainchild of Eline Van der Velden, a Dutch actor and comedian who founded Particle6 Productions and its spin-off AI talent studio, Xicoia. Van der Velden unveiled Norwood at the Zurich Summit during the Zurich Film Festival in late September, stating that talent agencies had expressed interest in representing her. Norwood has a social media presence, including an Instagram account with over 33,000 followers, where she posts photos and AI-generated content.
Hollywood's Backlash
The announcement was met with immediate and strong opposition from actors and the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). Many prominent actors voiced their concerns about the implications of AI-generated performers. Emily Blunt called the creation "very, very scary," while Natasha Lyonne suggested a boycott of any agency representing Norwood.
"Any talent agency that engages in this should be boycotted by all guilds," - Natasha Lyonne.
SAG-AFTRA issued a statement emphasizing that "creativity is, and should remain, human-centered." The union argued that Tilly Norwood "is not an actor; it's a character generated by a computer program that was trained on the work of countless professional performers — without permission or compensation."
The Creator's Response
Eline Van der Velden defended her creation, stating that Tilly Norwood "is not a replacement for a human being, but a creative work — a piece of art." She compared AI to other tools used in the entertainment industry, like animation and CGI. Van der Velden envisions Norwood as "the next Scarlett Johansson or Natalie Portman," aiming to establish AI actors as a distinct genre of performer.
"AI characters should be judged as part of their own genre, on their own merits, rather than compared directly to human actors." - Eline Van der Velden
Broader Implications for the Entertainment Industry
The controversy surrounding Tilly Norwood highlights the ongoing debate about the role of AI in the entertainment industry. The use of AI was a key point of contention during the 2023 Hollywood strikes, where actors and writers sought protections against the unauthorized use of their likenesses and performances. The emergence of AI actors raises questions about job security, intellectual property rights, and the very definition of acting and artistry.
The situation is evolving, and the future of AI in entertainment remains uncertain. The Tilly Norwood case serves as a critical test for how the industry will balance technological innovation with the protection of human creativity and labor.
