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 →

The debut of Tilly Norwood, an AI‑created performer from Xicoia’s AI talent studio, has ignited fierce criticism from Hollywood actors and creators. Industry figures such as Emily Blunt and Whoopi Goldberg have called the move "really scary" and warned that AI actors cannot replicate the nuances of real human performance. Creator Eline Van der Velden defends Norwood as a work of art, urging that she be judged on her own merits. The controversy raises broader questions about AI’s role in film, streaming and the future of creative labor. Read more →