“The challenge is not that AI will replace artists, but that we might forget what makes art human.” - Geoffrey Hinton, AI pioneer AI steps ...
“The challenge is not that AI will replace artists, but that we might forget what makes art human.” - Geoffrey Hinton, AI pioneer
AI steps onto the Hollywood stage
The emergence of Tilly Norwood, touted as Hollywood’s first AI actor, has ignited a heated debate across the entertainment industry. Created by AI talent studio Xicoia, Norwood is a computer-generated character trained on the work of countless performers without consent. The Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) strongly condemned her creation, calling it a violation of professional rights and human creativity.Union voices strong objection
SAG-AFTRA clarified that Norwood is not a real actor but a programmed entity with no emotions or life experience to draw upon. The union stressed that AI-generated characters undermine human labour, adding that such models devalue the authenticity that defines acting. “Performers’ work cannot be used without notice or compensation,” the union emphasized, urging accountability from studios and agencies promoting synthetic performers.Actors react with anger and concern
Hollywood stars such as Emily Blunt, Natasha Lyonne, and Melissa Barrera voiced their opposition. Many called for boycotts of agencies representing AI talent. Blunt described Norwood’s creation as “really scary,” urging the industry to safeguard human emotion in art. Others warned that unregulated AI use could erode the future of acting itself.Creators defend AI as a new tool
Eline Van der Velden, Norwood’s creator, maintained that AI should be seen not as a replacement but as a creative instrument - much like animation or CGI once were. She argued that AI opens fresh avenues for storytelling and experimentation, offering a new “paintbrush” for filmmakers to imagine differently.Balancing innovation with integrity
While AI continues to revolutionize Hollywood’s production methods, the tension between innovation and ethical boundaries is sharpening. The debate underscores the need for clear rules on consent, data use, and creative rights to ensure that technology supports, rather than supplants, the human spirit behind performance.Who is Tilly Norwood
Tilly Norwood is neither man nor woman as she is an artificial intelligence (AI)-generated character, not a real person. She is designed to appear as an "actress" with a "girl-next-door vibe". Though she maintains a social media presence, with posts describing her acting career, Tilly Norwood has no real-life existence.
Summary
The controversy around Tilly Norwood, Hollywood’s first AI actor, reveals deep divides between creative freedom and technological disruption. Unions demand ethical safeguards, while innovators see new storytelling potential. The outcome of this debate could define how AI and human artistry coexist in the entertainment world.Food for thought
Can art created without human experience ever truly move human hearts?AI concept to learn: Synthetic performers
Synthetic performers are AI-generated digital characters designed to replicate human acting. They are created using datasets from real performers, often trained on their likeness or motion capture, raising ethical questions about consent, compensation, and the boundaries of creative authenticity.
[The Billion Hopes Research Team shares the latest AI updates for learning and awareness. This is not a professional, financial, personal or medical advice. Please consult domain experts before making decisions. Feedback welcome!]
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