Creator of AI actor Tilly Norwood says she received death threats over project
In a startling revelation, Eline van der Velden, the creator of the AI actor Tilly Norwood, has disclosed that she received death threats following a significant backlash against her project. Van der Velden developed Tilly to provoke discussion about the implications of artificial intelligence in the entertainment industry.
The Birth of Tilly Norwood
Van der Velden, who founded the production company Particle6 and its AI division Xicoia, introduced Tilly Norwood in a short comedy sketch titled AI Commissioner last autumn. The AI-generated character quickly garnered attention, amassing over 141,000 followers on Instagram. However, the initial excitement was soon overshadowed by a wave of criticism from various quarters of the entertainment industry.
Backlash from the Entertainment Community
The announcement of Tilly Norwood’s potential signing by talent agents sparked outrage among prominent actors and industry unions. Notable figures such as Melissa Barrera, Mara Wilson, and Ralph Ineson voiced their concerns. The actors’ unions, including Sag-Aftra and Equity, also raised alarms about the implications of AI performers replacing human actors.
In a podcast discussion, actress Emily Blunt expressed her apprehension, stating, “Good lord, we’re screwed.” This sentiment encapsulated the fears shared by many in the industry regarding the future of acting and the role of AI.
Van der Velden’s Response to the Backlash
In an interview with The Guardian, Van der Velden acknowledged the backlash but expressed her shock at the intensity of the vitriol directed at her. “The death threats and the hate … my goodness, loads,” she remarked. Despite the negativity, she maintained that her intention was to spark conversation about the evolving landscape of AI in entertainment.
“I totally understand the reaction,” she stated. “I made her to represent the fear – and to represent this change in AI as an art piece, in a way. I was just like, this is the zeitgeist.”
The Purpose Behind Tilly Norwood
Van der Velden described her creation of Tilly as a deliberate attempt to provoke thought and discussion within the industry. “You’re trying to provoke thoughts and discussion,” she explained. “So yes, I wanted to make people sit up and go ‘holy moly’. So in a way, I achieved my goal.”
Despite the controversy, Van der Velden remains an advocate for the use of AI in entertainment. She believes that for some actors, having a digital twin like Tilly could be a beneficial alternative to traditional fame. “I think it’s great for some actors; it might actually be a blessing that they can have a digital twin,” she said. “They don’t have to be a known name.” This perspective highlights the potential for AI to offer new opportunities in the industry.
Innovative Uses of AI Technology
Van der Velden has continued to explore innovative applications of AI technology. Recently, she featured Tilly in a music video, with the lyrics generated by an AI chatbot. Using motion capture techniques, Van der Velden controls Tilly’s avatar, allowing her to portray multiple characters without the constraints of physical appearance.
“I’m the actor behind Tilly and she could play multiple different characters,” Van der Velden explained. “It’s great. I don’t have to get plastic surgery. I don’t have to get Botox. I don’t even have to put makeup on. And yet I can play all these different roles.”
This aspect of AI performance presents a unique opportunity for actors to focus on their craft without the pressures of traditional fame and appearance standards.
Future of Tilly Norwood
While Van der Velden has received numerous offers for Tilly to feature in mainstream productions, she has declined them, emphasizing that the purpose of Tilly is not to replace real actors. Instead, she is working on creating a micro-drama and a full series featuring Tilly Norwood. This decision reflects her commitment to using AI as a tool for artistic expression rather than as a replacement for human talent.
The Ethics of AI in Entertainment
Van der Velden has also addressed the ethical considerations surrounding AI-generated characters. She noted that Tilly was created using publicly available tools, making it difficult to pinpoint specific data sources that contributed to her development. “Tilly’s not trained on anything specific,” she clarified. “We just use general models. We just use the same publicly available models as everybody else has access to.”
She believes that as long as artists use these tools responsibly, they can contribute positively to the creative landscape. “Hopefully [this is] opening the creative door for people to use these tools in a positive way,” Van der Velden said.
Conclusion
The emergence of AI characters like Tilly Norwood has sparked significant debate within the entertainment industry. While some view it as a threat to traditional acting, others see it as an opportunity for innovation and new forms of storytelling. As technology continues to evolve, the conversation surrounding AI in entertainment will likely remain a hot topic.
Note: The implications of AI in creative fields are complex and multifaceted, requiring ongoing dialogue among industry professionals, artists, and audiences.
