Whoopi Goldberg is challenging the creation of AI actress Tilly Norwood, who allows human performers to steal work from real actors as they “moves differently, our faces move differently, our bodies move differently” (via Entertainment Weekly). Tilly has dominated Hollywood’s recent headlines ever since actor, comedian and producer Elleen van der Werden announced at the Zurich Summit that her AI creations are seeking interest from multiple talent agents who are allegedly interested in signing her.
Hollywood stars like Melissa Barrera, Keesy Clemons and Mara Wilson quickly denounced AI creations on social media, and van der Werden defended Tilly (created by AI Production Studio Particles).
“After many human actors call for boycotts to institutions that sign AI actors, the studio argues that Tilly is not a human alternative, but a creative work, and that AI characters should be judged as part of their genre, rather than directly comparing them to human actors.”
“The problem with this is, in my humble opinion, it’s happening suddenly to 5,000 other actors and something generated,” Goldberg explained. “There’s the attitude of Bette Davis. There’s the lips of Humphrey Bogart… And that’s a bit of an unjust advantage. But do you know that? Bring it. You can always tell from us.
Goldberg argued that the technology that creates fully believed AI performers is “not yet seamless,” but “maybe in a few years.” The comedian concluded: “Hopefully, we can hold because this is AI not just in my workplace but in every industry, and because this is AI. Some industries are using AI now.
In defending Tilly’s creation, Vander Werden added: “I see AI as a new tool, a new painting, not as a replacement for people. Just as animation, puppet shows, or CGI opened up fresh possibilities without taking away live performances, AI offers another way to imagine and imagine and build stories.
Speaking to Broadcast International in July, van der Belden said that Tilly “want to be the next Scarlett Johansson or Natalie Portman.”
