At the film festival held in Zurich, Switzerland, AI actress Tilly Norwood was unveiled – and the concern in the film industry is evident.
Norwood, created by AI studio Xicoia (a subsidiary of AI production studio Particle6), made her public debut during a panel at the Zurich Film Festival in Switzerland. However, she first appeared back in July in a short sketch created entirely using artificial intelligence.
“Can’t believe it… my first ever role is live! I star in ‘AI Commissioner,’ a new comedy sketch”, Norwood ‘wrote’ on her Facebook page. She added: “I may be AI generated, but I’m feeling very real emotions right now. I am so excited for what’s coming next!”
Since then, interest in the digital actress has grown significantly, according to a report by Deadline, with several Hollywood agencies already courting her.
Producer and comedian Elin van der Velden, a co-owner of Particle6, discussed the industry’s growing interest in the AI-driven character during the Zurich event, as reported by Variety.
“We were in a lot of boardrooms around February time, and everyone was like, ‘No, this is nothing. It’s not going to happen’. Then, by May, people were like, ‘We need to do something with you guys’, said Van der Velden.
Van der Velden noted that Hollywood studios are quietly developing multiple AI-based projects.
“We want Tilly to be the next Scarlett Johansson or Natalie Portman,” Van der Velden told Broadcast International. “People are realizing that their creativity doesn’t need to be boxed in by a budget and that’s why AI can really be a positive,” van der Velden added.
However, not everyone in the film industry agrees.
Following Deadline’s report that several talent agencies are interested in signing Norwood, some actors have suggested a boycott of such agencies.
“Hope all actors repped by the agent that does this, drop their a$$,” wrote Barrera on her Instagram Story with Deadline’s report, adding, “How gross, read the room.”
Actress Mara Wilson also raised an important point. “And what about the hundreds of living young women whose faces were composited together to make her? You couldn’t hire any of them?” she wrote.
Toni Collette responded only with the screaming emoji, while British actor Ralph Ineson (“Game of Thrones”) wrote on X simply, “Fuck off.”