AI actress Tilly Norwood: a new challenge for the film industry
30 september 2025 в 20:13
Two years after SAG-AFTRA reached an agreement with AMPTP regarding unauthorized use of artificial intelligence, an «actress» created by artificial intelligence was introduced. Her name is Tilly Norwood, and she has a Wikipedia page. Presented by her creator, the artificial intelligence talent studio Xicoia and CEO Particle6 Elin Van der Velden, at the Zurich Film Festival Summit in 2025, the studio announced that Norwood could be represented by real talent agencies, causing widespread concern in the film industry.
«Xicoia is not intending to limit itself to a few characters. The studio’s goal is to develop a universe encompassing over 40 digital personalities that will exist within a continuous narrative», - the Xicoia website states. «In practice, this means that events in one character’s life will have consequences for others. Like in expansive films or comics».
In order to make Norwood the «next Scarlett Johansson or Natalie Portman», - Van der Velden told Broadcast International magazine that financial difficulties in the film and television industry have accelerated the production of artificial intelligence.
So, what does this mean for actors and the entertainment industry as a whole? These questions remain open, learn more about Tilly and «her» creator below.
No — Tilly is not a real person. «She» is a digital personality created by artificial intelligence, which her creator, Xicoia, and Van der Velden introduced at the Zurich summit in 2025.
After Deadline reported on Norwood’s introduction via Instagram, several commentators claimed that the AI-created creation resembles a Scottish actress named Briony Monroe.
Monroe shared a Deadline article about the creation of artificial intelligence on her Instagram. She wrote, in part: «I have learned that my image may have been used for this picture 'Tilly Norwood' (a digital 'actress' created by artificial intelligence). If you agree that this is my image, could you please comment and point it out in their post? I am very concerned about where this may lead. Very much appreciated!»
At the time of publication, Xicoia had not yet commented on Monroe’s statement.
As previously noted, Van der Velden is the CEO of Particle6, which manages the artificial intelligence talent studio Xicoia, the creator of Norwood. Van der Velden defended the digital character in response to criticism from directors, actors, writers, and other artists.
«For those who have expressed anger about the creation of my digital character Tilly Norwood, she is not a replacement for a human, but a creative work — a work of art», - Van der Velden wrote in a statement. «Like many other forms of art before her, she sparks conversation, and that in itself shows the power of creativity».
Van der Velden is a Dutch actress, comedian, writer, and producer based in London, England. She is the founder of Particle6 Productions, a digital agency specializing in video content creation.
After numerous celebrities — including Emily Blunt and Lucy Hale — condemned the presentation of the digital character, SAG-AFTRA released a statement.
«To be clear, 'Tilly Norwood' is not an actor, she is a character created by a computer program that was trained on the work of countless professional performers — without permission or compensation», - the SAG-AFTRA statement read. «She has no life experience to draw from, no emotions, and, judging by what we have seen, audiences are not interested in watching computer-generated content detached from human experience. This does not solve any 'problem' - it creates a problem of using stolen performances to displace actors, jeopardizing their livelihoods and devaluing human craftsmanship».
The union continued: «Signatory producers must understand that they cannot use synthetic performers without adhering to our contractual obligations, which require notification and negotiation whenever a synthetic performer is used».
According to Variety, Van der Velden stated via LinkedIn
«Xicoia is not intending to limit itself to a few characters. The studio’s goal is to develop a universe encompassing over 40 digital personalities that will exist within a continuous narrative», - the Xicoia website states. «In practice, this means that events in one character’s life will have consequences for others. Like in expansive films or comics».
In order to make Norwood the «next Scarlett Johansson or Natalie Portman», - Van der Velden told Broadcast International magazine that financial difficulties in the film and television industry have accelerated the production of artificial intelligence.
So, what does this mean for actors and the entertainment industry as a whole? These questions remain open, learn more about Tilly and «her» creator below.
No — Tilly is not a real person. «She» is a digital personality created by artificial intelligence, which her creator, Xicoia, and Van der Velden introduced at the Zurich summit in 2025.
After Deadline reported on Norwood’s introduction via Instagram, several commentators claimed that the AI-created creation resembles a Scottish actress named Briony Monroe.
Monroe shared a Deadline article about the creation of artificial intelligence on her Instagram. She wrote, in part: «I have learned that my image may have been used for this picture 'Tilly Norwood' (a digital 'actress' created by artificial intelligence). If you agree that this is my image, could you please comment and point it out in their post? I am very concerned about where this may lead. Very much appreciated!»
At the time of publication, Xicoia had not yet commented on Monroe’s statement.
As previously noted, Van der Velden is the CEO of Particle6, which manages the artificial intelligence talent studio Xicoia, the creator of Norwood. Van der Velden defended the digital character in response to criticism from directors, actors, writers, and other artists.
«For those who have expressed anger about the creation of my digital character Tilly Norwood, she is not a replacement for a human, but a creative work — a work of art», - Van der Velden wrote in a statement. «Like many other forms of art before her, she sparks conversation, and that in itself shows the power of creativity».
Van der Velden is a Dutch actress, comedian, writer, and producer based in London, England. She is the founder of Particle6 Productions, a digital agency specializing in video content creation.
After numerous celebrities — including Emily Blunt and Lucy Hale — condemned the presentation of the digital character, SAG-AFTRA released a statement.
«To be clear, 'Tilly Norwood' is not an actor, she is a character created by a computer program that was trained on the work of countless professional performers — without permission or compensation», - the SAG-AFTRA statement read. «She has no life experience to draw from, no emotions, and, judging by what we have seen, audiences are not interested in watching computer-generated content detached from human experience. This does not solve any 'problem' - it creates a problem of using stolen performances to displace actors, jeopardizing their livelihoods and devaluing human craftsmanship».
The union continued: «Signatory producers must understand that they cannot use synthetic performers without adhering to our contractual obligations, which require notification and negotiation whenever a synthetic performer is used».
According to Variety, Van der Velden stated via LinkedIn
© Artemenko Olga
