Controversy Ignites in Hollywood: AI-Generated Actor Demands Representation Amid Outrage

Tilly Norwood is making waves in Hollywood, but there’s a twist—she’s not human. Created by Dutch producer Eline Van der Velden, Tilly is the first AI-generated character from a talent studio called Xicoia. Van der Velden believes Tilly could be the next big star, even claiming agents are interested in representing her. But many in the industry are not happy about it.

The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) has strongly opposed the idea of AI actors, stating that “creativity should remain human-centered.” They argue that Tilly, who lacks real emotions and experiences, shouldn’t be treated like a real performer. They also pointed out that she was trained on the work of real actors without their consent.

Sean Astin, known for his roles in “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Goonies,” recently voiced his concerns, mentioning that Tilly is built on the work of real people. He stressed the importance of recognizing the contributions of human actors, saying, “You’re made up of stuff that doesn’t belong to you.”

Van der Velden debuted Tilly at the Zurich Film Festival, where she hinted at signing with a talent agency soon. This news has sparked outrage, especially among fellow creatives. Actress Natasha Lyonne urged a boycott of any agency that chooses to represent AI actors, criticizing the entire idea as “misguided.”

AI’s role in entertainment isn’t new, but its use is controversial. During the recent SAG-AFTRA strike, AI was a hot topic. The new contract for video game actors now requires written permission to use their likenesses in digital forms.

Recent films have also faced backlash for their use of AI. For example, “The Brutalist,” which won an Oscar in 2024, used AI-generated dialogue, igniting debates about transparency and ethical practices in filmmaking.

In response to the criticism, Van der Velden defended Tilly on social media, stating, “She is not a replacement for a human being, but a piece of art.” She believes AI characters can spark important conversations about creativity, similar to other art forms.

As of now, Tilly has over 33,000 followers on social media, and her posts showcase her activities like shopping and preparing for screen tests. However, many wonder what human actors bring to performances that AI cannot. Astin sums it up well: “Authenticity.” Human actors draw from life experiences and emotions, which AI simply cannot replicate.

In recent studies, audiences have shown a preference for genuine human performances over AI-generated ones, with over 70% indicating they would prefer watching films with live actors instead of digital replicas. As the conversation continues, it’s clear that the struggle between innovation and authenticity is far from over.

For insights on AI’s evolving role in Hollywood, you can visit CBS News.

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Movies, Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Entertainment