In brief
An AI actor named Tilly Norwood has emerged from the Netherlands, creating a stir in Hollywood. Notable actors, including Emily Blunt and Whoopi Goldberg, have voiced their disapproval of what they see as a threat to the essence of acting. The Screen Actors Guild has also condemned the AI creation, emphasizing the potential risk to job security for human actors. As the technology gains attention, discussions about its place in the entertainment industry spark a fierce debate over authenticity and creativity.
An AI actor named Tilly Norwood has been causing a stir after its Dutch creators said the synthetic performer is in talks with talent agencies.
Norwood could be mistaken for a young, aspiring actress when one glances at its social media. The brunette poses for photos and showcases a fully AI-generated comedy sketch, where it is described as having girl next door vibes.
I may be AI, but I'm feeling very real emotions right now, Tilly's creators wrote on her page. I am so excited for what's coming next!
Hollywood is not rolling out the red carpet. Its powerful actors union has condemned the creation, along with A-list stars like Emily Blunt, Natasha Lyonne and Whoopi Goldberg.
Norwood is not an actor, it's a character generated by a computer program that was trained on the work of countless professional performers, the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, or SAG-AFTRA, said in a statement.
The AI actor was created by Dutch actor and comedian Eline Van der Velden, who reportedly wanted Norwood to become the next Scarlett Johansson. The BBC has reached out to Van der Velden and her company, Particle6.
Amid the anger and backlash in Hollywood, the Dutch creator posted on Tilly's Instagram page to say the creation is not a replacement for a human being, but a creative work – a piece of art.
AI has been a hotly contested technology in Hollywood and was a key sticking point during labor strikes that shut down the industry two years ago as writers and actors demanded protections from the technology.
In its statement on Norwood, SAG-AFTRA reminded agencies and studios that using Norwood in projects could pose issues for contractual protections secured after the 2023 strike.
Actress and filmmaker Natasha Lyonne said anyone who works with Norwood should be boycotted. Any talent agency that engages in this should be boycotted by all guilds, she stated.
Fellow actress Emily Blunt called the creation terrifying during a podcast appearance, asking agencies to avoid such ventures.
As creator Eline Van der Velden presents her AI production studio and new talent agency, Hollywood remains divided over the role of artificial intelligence in the industry.
