The entertainment industry is witnessing a significant shift with the potential signing of Tilly Norwood, a hyperreal AI actress, by a talent agency. This development, revealed at the Zurich Summit, underscores the growing integration of artificial intelligence in film and media production, signaling a new era for digital performers.
Key Takeaways
Discussions are underway for an agency to represent Tilly Norwood, an AI-generated actress.
Studios and media companies are increasingly adopting AI technologies behind the scenes.
Industry attitudes towards AI in entertainment have rapidly evolved over the past year.
The Rise of Tilly Norwood
Eline Van der Velden, an actor and technologist, announced at the Zurich Summit that her AI talent studio, Xicoia, is in talks with agents regarding Tilly Norwood. Norwood, launched earlier this year, has garnered significant interest, prompting discussions about professional representation, a domain traditionally exclusive to human actors. Van der Velden noted a dramatic change in industry perception, moving from skepticism to active engagement with AI solutions.
Shifting Industry Attitudes
Van der Velden, who also founded the production studio Particle6, elaborated on Xicoia's mission to create, manage, and monetise digital talent. She shared insights from boardroom meetings, highlighting how initial dismissals of AI in February transformed into urgent requests for collaboration by May. This sentiment was echoed by Verena Puhm, head of Luma AI’s Studio Dream Lab LA, who observed similar shifts in how companies approached AI artists.
Puhm recalled instances where companies initially denied using AI, only to later seek her expertise. This rapid evolution suggests that many in the industry were already experimenting with AI technologies covertly before openly embracing them.
The Future of AI in Entertainment
The potential representation of an AI performer like Norwood marks a pivotal moment. While the precise role of AI talent in the industry is still being defined, the prospect of agencies signing digital stars indicates a substantial transformation. The increasing, albeit often behind-the-scenes, adoption of AI by studios and media companies suggests that more public announcements and innovations are expected in the near future. This trend points towards a future where artificial intelligence plays an increasingly integral part in the creative landscape.