Image taken from the source: latimes
Tilly Norwood, a digital character created by artificial intelligence, recently gained popularity on Instagram but has faced strong reactions from Hollywood actors. Norwood is not a real actress but a creation of the London-based AI studio Xicoia, introducing new challenges and controversies to the film industry.
This technology, developed by Dutch actor and AI producer Eline Van der Velden, founder of the production company Particle6, has raised widespread concern within the SAG-AFTRA actors’ union. The union, which previously engaged in a 118-day strike to secure stronger protections against unfair AI use in contracts, now strongly criticizes the digital character.
Reactions to AI Digital Character Tilly Norwood
Sean Astin, president of SAG-AFTRA, stated in an interview that Tilly Norwood “is a character generated by computer programs trained on countless works of real actors,” which harms union members who did not grant permission or receive compensation for the use of their work.
The controversy intensifies because Norwood is set to be represented by a talent agency, something that real actors and fans see as a threat to their profession. Prominent actors like Emily Blunt, Whoopi Goldberg, and Natasha Lyonne have strongly criticized this move.
On the other hand, Eline Van der Velden views AI as a new creative tool, similar to animation, puppetry, or CGI, which help tell stories without replacing live acting. She emphasizes that Tilly Norwood is a piece of art and should not be considered a threat.
However, the rise of digital characters and collaborations between studios and AI companies have raised legal and ethical concerns. Major film studios like Disney, Universal, and Warner Bros. have filed lawsuits against AI firms for copyright infringement without permission or compensation.
Technologies like Norwood that create realistic digital characters pose questions about whether these tools should face restrictions or be accepted as creative aids in cinema.
Negative reactions also include calls to boycott agencies that represent Norwood, with SAG-AFTRA’s president stating that members reserve the right to avoid doing business with representatives acting in bad faith or with conflicts of interest.
Tilly Norwood, who has 44,000 followers on social media, is portrayed as an aspiring young actor from London appearing in various fictional and action scenes. Her widespread digital presence highlights deep changes and accompanying legal and ethical challenges in the performing arts industry.
Summary
Overall, the introduction of AI characters like Tilly Norwood into film and television presents innovative opportunities but raises serious discussions about ownership rights, compensation, and preserving the dignity of human performers, which require careful and sensitive resolution.
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