Hollywood is not rolling out the red carpet for Tilly Norwood – an AI actor that 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, 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's 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 union emphasized that Norwood lacks real-life experience and emotional depth, and indicated that audiences prefer authentic human performances.
Created by Dutch comedian Eline Van der Velden, who aspires for Norwood to be the next Scarlett Johansson, the AI has stirred significant controversy. Van der Velden's recent presentation at a summit in Zurich brought renewed focus to the conversation surrounding AI in entertainment.
Despite the backlash, Van der Velden defended her creation, claiming it is not meant to replace human actors but rather to be a new form of artistic expression. Creating Tilly has been, for me, an act of imagination and craftsmanship, she stated, suggesting these creations should be seen as distinct from human performances.
AI has emerged as a significant issue in Hollywood, culminating in strikes that aimed to establish protections against its misuse. SAG-AFTRA reiterated that utilizing Norwood in projects could violate contracts secured after the strikes, boosting concerns over job security in the industry.
Leading actresses like Natasha Lyonne have amplified these concerns, calling for a boycott of any agency that partners with AI talent, while Emily Blunt described Norwood as terrifying on a recent podcast.
As Tilly's creators prepare to unveil new projects, the larger debate over the role of AI within creative industries continues to evolve, leaving many in Hollywood worried about the implications for the future of acting.
