Introduction to AI Actresses
Eline van der Velden, founder and CEO of the London-based AI production company particle6, has created an AI actress named Tilly Norwood. This digital avatar has sparked a reaction from talent agencies and actors on social media. Van der Velden explains that Tilly is not meant to replace human actors, but rather is a creative work of art.
The Creation of Tilly Norwood
Tilly Norwood is the first digital star created by van der Velden’s AI Talent Studio Xicoia. The studio aims to create, manage, and monetize hyperreal digital stars. Tilly has already started appearing on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. Van der Velden announced that a traditional agency would soon represent Tilly, and many film and television companies are showing interest in accepting AI.
Reaction from the Acting Community
The news of Tilly’s creation triggered a counter-reaction from actors such as Melissa Barrera, Nicholas Alexander Chavez, Toni Collette, and Kiersey Clemons. Barrera expressed her hope that actors would drop their agents if they were involved in representing AI actresses. British actor Ralph Ineson simply told van der Velden to "fuck off" on social media.
The Future of AI in the Entertainment Industry
Van der Velden’s Xicoia plans to create more than 40 AI personas in the long term. The company is developing a proprietary avatar personality engine called deeppfame. Van der Velden believes that AI is not a replacement for human actors, but rather a new tool that offers fresh opportunities for storytelling. She also works with Hollywood stars who want to appear on screen as their younger or current selves, and with estates to bring famous actors from the past back onto the screen.
The Artistic Value of AI
Van der Velden sees AI as a new brush for artists, similar to animation, puppet shows, or CGI. She believes that AI characters should be assessed as part of their own genre, with their own advantages, rather than being compared directly to human actors. Van der Velden hopes that AI can be welcomed as part of the wider artistic family, offering new opportunities for expression and connection.
Conclusion
The creation of Tilly Norwood and the reaction it has sparked highlight the potential of AI in the entertainment industry. While some actors may be concerned about the impact of AI on their profession, van der Velden sees it as a new tool that can open doors for new voices, stories, and opportunities to connect with each other. As the technology continues to develop, it will be interesting to see how the entertainment industry adapts to the rise of AI actresses like Tilly Norwood.
