Even a fictional character Eline Van der Velden’s AI-generated stand-in Tilly Norwood has already sparked a massive controversy in Hollywood. Rumors have surfaced that she is negotiating with a major talent agency to represent her for acting roles. This claim was stated during a panel at the Zurich Summit on September 27. Backlash from major players within the industry and from the SAG-AFTRA union that represents actors, among others.
Tilly Norwood is not a real person – she’s an artificial intelligence enabled by innovative transportation modeling. Created based on the performances of thousands of professional actors, the character was created without their knowledge or permission. This scenario illustrates the pressing questions that go beyond the legality of AI technology in creative industries. Filmmaker Eline Van der Velden considers Tilly a work of art. At the same time, most of Hollywood is understandably concerned about AI-generated characters erasing the integrity and emotional depth that human actors imbue in their characters.
Emily Blunt, pictured above, has been one of the most vocal critics of Tilly Norwood’s proposed signing with a talent agency. She expressed her concerns, stating, “That is really, really scary. Come on, agencies, don’t do that. Please stop. Please stop taking away our human connection.” Blunt underscored the irreplaceable magic human actors add to storytelling. She lamented that injecting AI into the equation might deprive audiences of genuine human connection in film.
And as Whoopi Goldberg recently reinforced Blunt’s feelings, calling attention to the supposedly “unfair advantage” for AI-created performers. She remarked, “You are suddenly up against something that’s been generated with 5,000 other actors … so it’s a little bit of an unfair advantage.” These types of comments are indicative of a larger concern in the industry about the current and future landscape for human performers.
SAG-AFTRA has relatively recently weighed in on this issue. As one of the show’s lawyers wisely pointed out, their Tilly Norwood is “not an actor,” but a construct of technology. The union pointed out that this technology lacks the life experiences and emotions necessary to resonate with audiences: “It has no life experience to draw from, no emotion and, from what we’ve seen, audiences aren’t interested in watching computer-generated content untethered from the human experience.”
Eline Van der Velden isn’t wavering in her decision despite the tornado of opposition. She contends that Tilly Norwood is an innovative new creative tool rather than a replacement for human actors. She stated, “For those who have expressed anger over the creation of our AI character, Tilly Norwood: She is not a replacement for a human being, but a creative work — a piece of art.” Van der Velden claimed that Tilly sparks important conversations around art and creativity. These conversations take on new meaning in today’s progressive era.
The fight to save Tilly Norwood has received the backing of other supporters from across the industry. Jon Bon Jovi and Billie Eilish are among the musical luminaries who’ve already signed the open letter. They’re taking on the AI-generated actresses, including one named Tilly Norwood. This letter reflects widespread concern about the future of acting and artistic expression in an era increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence.
Going forward, it’s hard to predict how the entertainment industry will address the connectivity between technology and artistry. The emergence of AI-generated characters like Tilly Norwood raises fundamental questions about authenticity, creativity, and the role of human experience in storytelling.
