AI-Generated 'Actress' Tilly Norwood Sparks Hollywood Backlash
The introduction of AI-generated character Tilly Norwood has ignited controversy in Hollywood, with actors and industry professionals expressing concerns over the implications for human performers.
The unveiling of Tilly Norwood, an AI-generated character created by Dutch producer Eline Van der Velden, has sparked significant debate within the entertainment industry. Van der Velden, founder of the AI talent studio Xicoia, introduced Tilly at the Zurich Film Festival, positioning her as a potential digital celebrity akin to actresses like Scarlett Johansson.
The Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) responded firmly, stating, "To be clear, '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."
Prominent actors have also voiced their concerns. Emily Blunt, upon learning about Tilly, remarked, "No, are you serious? That's an AI? Good Lord, we're screwed." Similarly, Whoopi Goldberg warned audiences about AI movie actress Tilly Norwood: "You won't have any connection."
In response to the backlash, Van der Velden defended her creation, stating, "To those who have expressed anger over the creation of my AI character, Tilly Norwood: she is not a replacement for a human being, but a creative work—a piece of art."
The controversy surrounding Tilly Norwood underscores the ongoing debate over the role of artificial intelligence in the entertainment industry and its potential impact on human performers.