AI actress Tilly Norwood, developed by Dutch producer Eline van der Velden, attracted attention at the Zurich Film Festival last weekend. While talent agencies are showing interest, Hollywood stars are critical of her digital existence.
Tilly Norwood made her debut at the Zurich Film Festival and immediately attracted attention. According to entertainment website Deadline, several Hollywood agents are interested in representing her. Norwood, who now has more than 31,000 followers on Instagram, previously announced her first role in the comedy sketch AI Commissioner.
The creation comes from Eline van der Velden’s AI talent studio Xicoia. Van der Velden previously worked as an actress and producer. While skepticism prevailed in February, the first collaborations followed in May. Norwood is now on the radar of the international film industry.
Not everyone is enthusiastic. Well-known actors such as Sophie Turner and Nicholas Alexander Chavez expressed their disapproval on social media. Mara Wilson and Lukas Cage also voiced criticism and raised questions about the impact on young actors.
Van der Velden responded to the controversy with a statement emphasizing that Norwood is not a replacement for a human being, but a work of art and a means of expression. According to her, an AI character can never take away the craftsmanship or joy of a human performance.
The discussion ties in with previous concerns in the film industry. Two years ago, the SAG-AFTRA union staged a lengthy strike, partly due to the use of AI in the industry. Whereas AI was previously used to rejuvenate actors or digitize scenes, the arrival of a fully digital actress marks a new phase.
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