Michaela
Tilly Norwood, an AI actress developed by Particle6, has sparked backlash from SAG-AFTRA, the union representing entertainment professionals. Hollywood actors joined the criticism, cautioning that the technology could undermine human performers.
Key points:
- Tilly Norwood, an AI “actress” from Particle6, has sparked backlash from SAG-AFTRA and Hollywood stars, who warn she could threaten human performers.
- Creator Eline Van Der Velden defends Norwood as a work of art and a new creative tool, emphasizing AI characters should be judged on their own merits, not compared to humans.
- Despite controversy, talent agents are already showing interest in representing Norwood, highlighting the growing intersection of AI and the entertainment industry.
“SAG-AFTRA believes creativity is, and should remain, human-centered. The union is opposed to the replacement of human performers by synthetics,” SAG-AFTRA wrote in an official Instagram post. The union stressed that it does not view Norwood as an actor, but as a “character generated by a computer program” that was “trained on the work of countless professional performers” without their consent or compensation.
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In a separate Instagram post, creator Eline Van Der Velden defended Norwood, stating the AI actress was not intended to replace human performers but to be seen as a work of art and creative expression. “I see AI not as a replacement for people, but as a new tool, a new paintbrush,” Van Der Velden wrote. “Just as animation, puppetry, or CGI opened fresh possibilities without taking away from live acting, AI offers another way to imagine and build stories. I’m an actor myself, and nothing – certainly not an AI character – can take away the craft or joy of human performance,” she added.
Van Der Velden stressed that AI characters should be evaluated as a distinct artistic genre, judged on their own merits rather than compared to human actors. She expressed hope that AI characters will eventually find acceptance within the broader creative community.
Hollywood stars, including Whoopi Goldberg and Emily Blunt, have voiced criticism of Norwood’s debut. On an episode of The View, Goldberg questioned whether an AI character could ever match a human performer, noting that subtle details such as facial expressions and body movement set real actors apart from their digital counterparts.
Blunt reacted with visible shock when shown an image of Norwood in a Variety podcast interview, calling the AI figure unsettling and even frightening. “That is really, really scary. Come on, agencies, don’t do that. Please stop. Please stop taking away our human connection,” Blunt stated.
Norwood marks the debut project of Xicoia, a newly established AI talent studio spun out of Van der Velden’s Particle6. Van der Velden further revealed that talent agents have already expressed interest in representing the AI actress, with a formal announcement expected in the coming months.
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MICHAELA
Michaela is a news writer focused on cryptocurrency and blockchain topics. She prioritizes rigorous research and accuracy to uncover interesting angles and ensure engaging reporting. A lifelong book lover, she applies her passion for reading to deeply explore the constantly evolving crypto world.
