During a recent appearance on the Variety Awards Circuit Podcast, acclaimed actress Emily Blunt was taken aback by the revelation of a new AI-generated actress named Tilly Norwood. The interview took place just before the premiere of A24’s film “The Smashing Machine” in Los Angeles, where Blunt was completely unaware of the AI breakthrough that had stirred up considerable interest in the entertainment industry.
As the podcast host presented Blunt with a fresh headline about Tilly Norwood, an AI creation from the newly launched Xicoia, Blunt's reaction was immediate and candid. “Does it disappoint me? I don’t know how to quite answer it, other than to say how terrifying this is,” she stated, clearly unsettled by the implications of AI in the film industry. Upon viewing an image of Norwood, Blunt exclaimed, “No, are you serious? That’s an AI? Good Lord, we’re screwed. That is really, really scary. Come on, agencies, don’t do that. Please stop. Please stop taking away our human connection.”
Tilly Norwood marks a significant milestone as the first creation from Xicoia, a talent studio spun off from Eline Van der Velden’s production company, Particle6. Van der Velden unveiled this revolutionary project during the Zurich Film Festival, highlighting that studios are quietly exploring similar AI initiatives. She hinted that more announcements regarding AI-generated performers are expected in the upcoming months, adding to the growing conversation about the future of talent in Hollywood.
Blunt expressed her concerns about the implications of AI-generated actors, particularly when she learned that Tilly Norwood was designed to resemble a composite of well-known performers. In a pointed response to the idea that Norwood could be positioned as the next Scarlett Johansson, she remarked, “But we have Scarlett Johansson.” This highlights the ongoing struggle in Hollywood regarding the use of artificial intelligence in film and television.
As the entertainment industry grapples with the rapid advancements in AI technology, the debate surrounding digital likenesses and AI protections has intensified. This issue was a significant factor during last year’s dual strikes by the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), where actors advocated for stronger safeguards against unauthorized replication of their voices and images. The backlash against AI in Hollywood has been swift, with notable figures including Melissa Barrera and Lukas Gage voicing their concerns and calling for immediate action.
Emily Blunt's reaction to the emergence of Tilly Norwood serves as a crucial reminder of the complexities and ethical dilemmas posed by the integration of AI in the entertainment industry. As Hollywood navigates this uncharted territory, the conversation surrounding the balance between innovation and human connection will undoubtedly continue to evolve.
