AI actor Tilly Norwood’s world is expanding with the ‘Tillyverse’

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The digital world of the first AI actor, Tilly Norwood, is expanding.

Xicoia, the studio behind the AI actor Norwood, is significantly expanding its work. This includes creating a digital world called the “Tillyverse” where Tilly and other new AI characters can interact, work together, and develop their own careers.

The London company behind realistic, emotionally aware AI characters isn’t just playing with AI actors. They’re aiming to create their own unique content and fundamentally change how talent is made and used as AI technology advances.

Xicoia CEO Eline van der Velden announced that they are creating something unique with Tilly Norwood. She explained that Tilly isn’t simply an AI character, but a fully developed personality with the potential to become a major global star, and has a story that will captivate audiences.

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The rise of computer-generated actors is making Hollywood reconsider traditional notions of celebrity and who can achieve it. As this technology rapidly develops, it’s also raising a number of legal questions.

Norwood, an AI bot, was released last autumn and immediately faced criticism from prominent actors like Emily Blunt, Whoopi Goldberg, and Natasha Lyonne. While Norwood hasn’t appeared in any major films or shows yet, many in the acting community are worried that AI could eventually replace human actors and cost them jobs.

SAG-AFTRA president Sean Astin previously spoke out against the AI bot, explaining that while it creates something new, it relies on existing work and therefore unfairly uses actors’ contributions without permission. He argued that claiming it doesn’t harm actors simply because it’s ‘new’ misses the point that it’s using material that doesn’t belong to them.

This new development is increasing union worries, especially since previous concerns about how artificial intelligence was being used – and potentially misused – already caused strikes over two years ago.

SAG-AFTRA resumed contract talks with the major film and television studios last month. A key proposal from the union is reportedly a fee – nicknamed the ‘Tilly tax’ – that studios would pay if they use actors created using artificial intelligence.

Hollywood Inc.

A Dutch artist who designed a digital actor named Tilly Norwood caused controversy in Hollywood by announcing she was about to be represented by a talent agency.

Xicoia, a company specializing in AI video and part of Particle6, has brought on Mark Whelan, a former executive from Amazon Prime Video. Whelan will be responsible for growing Norwood, creating new AI-powered characters, and managing the development of AI talent for clients.

Whelan described the chance to lead the development of the Tillyverse as a unique and incredible opportunity. He explained that with AI advancing so rapidly, Xicoia isn’t simply adapting to existing industry standards – they’re actively creating the future by blending innovative technology with bold creativity.

The company expects the “Tillyverse” to launch later this year.

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2026-03-02 23:01