Eline van der Velden, CEO and founder of AI company Particle6, is at the forefront of the conversation around AI-generated performers with the creation of Tilly Norwood. Tilly became a focal point in the industry in late 2025 after van der Velden discussed plans to sign with an agency during a panel in Zurich. Her comments sparked significant debate, drawing reactions from actors, unions, and others concerned about the implications of AI in entertainment.

As AI’s role in film and television continues to expand, Tilly Norwood has become a symbol of the ongoing discussion. The team behind Tilly has embraced this attention. On January 22, coinciding with the Oscar nominations, Tilly’s official Instagram shared an image of her at a podium with an award, accompanied by a message congratulating nominees and playfully addressing the controversy surrounding her presence in the industry.

In a recent op-ed, van der Velden emphasized that “AI is here to stay” and encouraged actors to adapt by developing their own AI personas. She argues that, considering the physical and mental demands placed on performers, as well as the scrutiny over appearance and aging, AI offers a more ethical alternative for actors.

• Human Creativity at the Core: Van der Velden highlights that Tilly Norwood is the result of human creativity and vision, not just technology. She stresses that AI is a tool for creative expression, not a replacement for it.
• Expanding Opportunities: According to van der Velden, AI actors can serve as digital twins or entirely new characters, allowing performers to explore roles beyond physical limitations. She notes that actors can use performance capture or animation techniques to bring these AI characters to life.
• Ownership and Agency: Van der Velden believes the key ethical issue is ownership and consent. She advocates for performers to create and control their own AI actors, giving them new opportunities to own their intellectual property and creative output.
• Ethical Advantages: She points out that traditional acting often requires physical risk and intense scrutiny, while AI actors allow performers to focus on storytelling without compromising their well-being. This approach, she argues, is more humane and sustainable.
• Creative Collaboration: Van der Velden compares AI actors to puppetry and animation, emphasizing that the artistry remains with the human creator. She asserts that AI is simply a new tool for performance, requiring human judgment and creativity.
• Responsible AI Development: Particle6 has implemented strict policies to ensure ethical AI practices, including respecting copyright and only creating digital twins with consent and fair compensation. Tilly Norwood was developed using publicly available tools and without referencing any specific performer’s likeness.
• Reskilling for the Future: Van der Velden encourages the industry to embrace change by reskilling and retooling for an AI-driven future. She notes that professionals across various disciplines are already contributing to Tilly’s development, demonstrating the potential for creative talent to thrive alongside new technology.

Van der Velden concludes by urging the industry not to exclude actors from the future of AI. She believes that AI actors, when created and owned by performers, represent the next evolution of the craft rather than a threat to it.

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