Is this the future of Hollywood? AI actor Tilly Norwood releases music video before Oscars

In the video, Norwood appears to address the growing backlash against AI in the entertainment industry, using music to respond to critics and spark conversation about the role of artificial intelligence in creative fields.

Developed by London-based Xicoia Studios, the release comes ahead of Norwood’s official AI acting debut later this year. The video also offers the first glimpse into the evolving “Tilly-verse” — a new entertainment concept where AI characters “live, interact and work,” according to a report by The Hollywood Reporter.

The song, titled Take the Lead, is inspired by a recently published essay written by Eline van der Velden, CEO of production company Particle6 and its AI talent studio Xicoia.

Speaking to the magazine, Van der Velden said that Tilly was created to explore the creative possibilities of artificial intelligence rather than replace human actors.

“Tilly is, and has always been, a vehicle to test the creative capabilities and boundaries of AI — not take anyone’s job,” she said. “As an actor myself, I have loved bringing Tilly alive for this video. The ability to use performance capture in this way, to fully inhabit an AI character, is a phenomenal way to bring an unknown actor like me closer to the craft.”

The song was strategically released just days before the Academy Awards, scheduled to take place on Sunday.

Sharing the video on her official Instagram page, the AI actor posted: “Can’t wait to go to the Oscars! Does anyone know if they have free valet parking for my flamingo? xx.”

“My debut single ‘Take The Lead’ is out now!” the post added.

The song appears to act as a rebuttal to critics of AI actors in the film industry.

However, the video has sparked mixed reactions online. Some social media users criticised the growing use of AI in creative industries.

“This will be our downfall. AI is destroying our environment and our jobs. Also, not human. Just a human job-taking machine,” one user commented.

Another wrote: “Looks fake…”

“AI has destroyed so many careers in the animation industry and that’s just the beginning. Wait until it comes for yours,” another comment read.

Tilly Norwood was first unveiled last year by Van der Velden as part of an experiment exploring the future of AI-driven entertainment.