Hollywood is not rolling out the red carpet for Tilly Norwood – an AI actor causing a stir after its Dutch creators announced that the synthetic performer is in talks with talent agencies.
Norwood could easily be mistaken for a young actress on social media, showcasing a fully AI-generated comedy sketch described as having girl next door vibes. Tilly's creators even claimed, I may be AI, but I'm feeling very real emotions right now. I am so excited for what's coming next!
However, the creation of Norwood has been condemned by Hollywood's powerful actors union, alongside A-list stars like Emily Blunt, Natasha Lyonne, and Whoopi Goldberg. The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) stated, Norwood is not an actor; it's a character generated by a computer program that was trained on the work of countless performers.
They continued to express concern, emphasizing that AI lacks the life experience and emotional depth that human actors bring to their performances, arguing that audiences prefer relatable, human talent.
Dutch comedian Eline Van der Velden, who created Tilly, has stated that her intent is for Norwood to become the next Scarlett Johansson. She defended her creation, asserting that it should not be seen as a replacement for human actors but rather as a piece of art.
Amid the uproar, Natasha Lyonne declared that anyone working with Norwood should be boycotted, while Blunt described the AI creation as terrifying on a podcast. Goldberg expressed skepticism about AI replacing human actors, highlighting that audiences could always differentiate between the two.
The discussion around AI in Hollywood remains heated, especially following the significant labor strikes of 2023, where the impact of AI on jobs was a critical sticking point. SAG-AFTRA stresses that engaging Norwood in projects could undermine hard-won contractual protections established after the strikes.
With predictions of further developments in AI talent, including public announcements of major projects, the future of AI actors in Hollywood remains uncertain amid the fears and resistance from within the industry.
Norwood could easily be mistaken for a young actress on social media, showcasing a fully AI-generated comedy sketch described as having girl next door vibes. Tilly's creators even claimed, I may be AI, but I'm feeling very real emotions right now. I am so excited for what's coming next!
However, the creation of Norwood has been condemned by Hollywood's powerful actors union, alongside A-list stars like Emily Blunt, Natasha Lyonne, and Whoopi Goldberg. The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) stated, Norwood is not an actor; it's a character generated by a computer program that was trained on the work of countless performers.
They continued to express concern, emphasizing that AI lacks the life experience and emotional depth that human actors bring to their performances, arguing that audiences prefer relatable, human talent.
Dutch comedian Eline Van der Velden, who created Tilly, has stated that her intent is for Norwood to become the next Scarlett Johansson. She defended her creation, asserting that it should not be seen as a replacement for human actors but rather as a piece of art.
Amid the uproar, Natasha Lyonne declared that anyone working with Norwood should be boycotted, while Blunt described the AI creation as terrifying on a podcast. Goldberg expressed skepticism about AI replacing human actors, highlighting that audiences could always differentiate between the two.
The discussion around AI in Hollywood remains heated, especially following the significant labor strikes of 2023, where the impact of AI on jobs was a critical sticking point. SAG-AFTRA stresses that engaging Norwood in projects could undermine hard-won contractual protections established after the strikes.
With predictions of further developments in AI talent, including public announcements of major projects, the future of AI actors in Hollywood remains uncertain amid the fears and resistance from within the industry.
