New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed two bills that mandate advertisers to identify any AI‑generated synthetic performers used in ads and set rules for using a person’s name, image, or likeness after death. The legislation, known as Assembly Bill A8887B (S.8420‑A) and S.8391, aims to increase transparency for consumers and protect artists’ rights, echoing concerns raised during the SAG‑AFTRA strike over digital replicas and deepfakes. Read more →

OpenAI’s Sora, a TikTok‑style video creation app, lets users generate fully synthetic videos that look remarkably realistic. Each video includes a moving white cloud watermark and embeds C2PA metadata that identifies it as AI‑generated. Tools from the Content Authenticity Initiative can verify this provenance, while social platforms are beginning to label AI‑created content. Industry observers warn that the ease of producing such deepfakes could fuel misinformation and threaten public figures, prompting calls for stronger guardrails. Read more →

Director James Cameron warned that AI‑generated actors are "horrifying," expressing concern that synthetic performers could replace real talent. The comment followed the debut of Tilly Norwood, a photorealistic digital actress created by Particle6 and shown at the Zurich Film Festival. SAG‑AFTRA condemned the technology as a synthetic imitation built on stolen work. Cameron, known for pioneering CGI, distinguished motion‑capture—which still relies on human performers—from generative AI that can fabricate characters and performances from text prompts. He urged the industry to keep the human element at the core of filmmaking. Read more →

OpenAI's AI video tool Sora lets users create realistic videos with features such as the “cameo” function that inserts anyone’s likeness into AI‑generated scenes. The app automatically watermarks videos and embeds C2PA metadata that identify the content as AI‑generated. While these safeguards aim to help viewers verify authenticity, experts warn that easy access to high‑quality deepfakes could fuel misinformation and put public figures at risk. Platforms like Meta, TikTok and YouTube are adding their own labels, but the consensus is that vigilance and creator disclosure remain essential. Read more →

Amazon Prime’s biblical drama “House of David” dramatically increased its use of generative AI in its second season, employing roughly four times as many AI‑generated shots as the first. Showrunner Jon Erwin described the approach as a cost‑effective way to create large‑scale battle scenes and expansive landscapes. The production combined image generators, up‑resolution tools, and video generators from vendors such as Runway, Luma, Google and Adobe, using “10 to 15 core tools.” While some critics decried the visual quality, industry labor groups noted the cautious adoption of AI, emphasizing consent and fair compensation for performers. Read more →

Netflix announced that it is "very well positioned to effectively leverage ongoing advances in AI," signaling an all‑in approach to generative AI as a creative tool rather than a content engine. The streaming giant cited recent uses of AI in productions such as the Argentine series "The Eternaut," the film "Happy Gilmore 2," and the series "Billionaires’ Bunker" to illustrate how the technology can streamline visual effects, pre‑production design, and post‑production work. While industry concerns linger over data usage and potential job impacts, Netflix’s leadership remains confident that AI will help storytellers work faster and explore new possibilities without replacing artistic talent. The company also reported a 17% year‑over‑year revenue increase to $11.5 billion, though the growth fell short of its own forecasts. Read more →

Actors, talent agencies and SAG-AFTRA have voiced concerns over AI‑generated videos that use real people’s likenesses. In a joint statement, actor Bryan Cranston, OpenAI, the union and major agencies said OpenAI has "strengthened guardrails" around its opt‑in policy for likeness and voice after unauthorized videos of Cranston appeared on Sora 2. OpenAI expressed regret for the unintentional generations and pledged to give artists the right to control how they are simulated, while SAG‑AFTRA called for legislative protection such as the proposed NO FAKES Act. Read more →

OpenAI announced new guardrails for its AI video‑generation tool Sora after actors, talent unions and the estate of Martin Luther King Jr. raised concerns about unauthorized deepfake videos. The company agreed that public figures must opt in before their likenesses can be used, and that representatives can request removal. The move follows complaints from Bryan Cranston, SAG‑AFTRA, and talent agencies, as well as public outcry over disrespectful depictions of Dr. King. OpenAI says the updated policies aim to give individuals greater control over how their images and voices are employed in AI‑generated content. Read more →

Eline Van der Velden, founder and CEO of Particle6 and its talent studio Xicoia, introduced Tilly Norwood, an AI‑generated digital avatar, at the Zurich Film Festival. While talent agents have reportedly shown interest, the avatar's role as an "actress" has drawn criticism from SAG‑AFTRA and industry observers who question the ethics and feasibility of AI‑driven performers. Van der Velden envisions the avatar becoming a major screen presence, but the technology relies on human oversight and raises concerns about the impact on human actors and creative labor. Read more →

Tilly Norwood, a London‑based Instagram personality with about 40,000 followers, is not a real person but an AI‑generated character created by Xicoia, the AI division of production company Particle6. Founder Eline Van der Velden introduced Norwood at the Zurich Film Festival and is seeking an agent for the synthetic performer. The concept has sparked strong reactions, including a startled comment from actress Emily Blunt and a firm opposition from SAG‑AFTRA, which warned that synthetic performers threaten human artistry and livelihoods. Van der Velden defended Norwood as a piece of art, while industry unions call for contractual safeguards as AI tools like OpenAI’s Sora 2 advance. Read more →

Françoise Cadol, the French voice of Lara Croft in the Tomb Raider IV‑VI Remastered collection, has sent a legal notice to publisher Aspyr. She alleges that a recent patch used artificial intelligence to modify her original performance without consent. Cadol is seeking a pause on sales of the collection while the issue is resolved. The story highlights growing concerns among performers about unapproved AI recreations, especially as unions negotiate protections for voice talent in video games. Read more →

Françoise Cadol, the French voice of Lara Croft in the Tomb Raider IV‑VI Remastered collection, has sent a legal notice to publisher Aspyr. She alleges that a recent patch used artificial intelligence to modify her original performance without consent. Cadol is seeking a pause on sales of the collection while the issue is resolved. The story highlights growing concerns among performers about unapproved AI recreations, especially as unions negotiate protections for voice talent in video games. Read more →

Françoise Cadol, the French voice of Lara Croft in the Tomb Raider IV‑VI Remastered collection, has sent a legal notice to publisher Aspyr. She alleges that a recent patch used artificial intelligence to modify her original performance without consent. Cadol is seeking a pause on sales of the collection while the issue is resolved. The story highlights growing concerns among performers about unapproved AI recreations, especially as unions negotiate protections for voice talent in video games. Read more →

Françoise Cadol, the French voice of Lara Croft in the Tomb Raider IV‑VI Remastered collection, has sent a legal notice to publisher Aspyr. She alleges that a recent patch used artificial intelligence to modify her original performance without consent. Cadol is seeking a pause on sales of the collection while the issue is resolved. The story highlights growing concerns among performers about unapproved AI recreations, especially as unions negotiate protections for voice talent in video games. Read more →

Françoise Cadol, the French voice of Lara Croft in the Tomb Raider IV‑VI Remastered collection, has sent a legal notice to publisher Aspyr. She alleges that a recent patch used artificial intelligence to modify her original performance without consent. Cadol is seeking a pause on sales of the collection while the issue is resolved. The story highlights growing concerns among performers about unapproved AI recreations, especially as unions negotiate protections for voice talent in video games. Read more →