AI Creator Claims Tilly Norwood was Designed to be as Lifelike as Possible to Elicit Stronger Responses

The creator of the AI character Tilly Norwood has confessed to designing her to be "as realistic as possible" in order to "spark a stronger reaction." Eline Van Der Velden, the founder and CEO of the AI company Particle6, revealed insights into the creation of Norwood, a virtual figure that caused a stir in Hollywood when she was introduced earlier this fall.

During her appearance at the Content London conference, Van Der Velden explained, "The goal was to craft a character we could use without violating anyone's likeness. We aimed to create something entirely original. This process took months of careful planning from brainstorming the name to defining her personality and appearance. We went through 2000 versions and countless trials to reach the final version."

She continued, elaborating on the various iterations of Norwood: "At one point, she looked too glamorous or lacked the authenticity of a 'girl next door' type. But in the end, that's what made Tilly gain global attention."

Despite the positive response, Norwood faced significant backlash in Hollywood. Unions like SAG-AFTRA and Equity, alongside many actors, criticized the idea, with director James Cameron of *The Terminator* calling AI performers "horrifying." Speaking carefully on the matter, Van Der Velden commented, "Norwood represents a turning point. She exemplifies the current state of technology, and the industry needed to recognize this."

When asked if the "photo realism" contributed to her widespread popularity, Van Der Velden replied, "We did consider creating a half-robot character, but I felt it was more impactful to create something that provoked a reaction. As artists, that's what we aim for, and it was important for me to make her as realistic as possible."

Van Der Velden reassured the audience, which was composed of industry professionals, that Norwood was never intended to replace human actors. "Shes meant to remain within the realm of AI," she explained. "The goal is not to take jobs from real performers. The industry is evolving, and we're advancing with it."

Author: Harper Simmons