Hollywood is buzzing with debate following the unveiling of Tilly Norwood, the world’s first AI actress.

Tilly was introduced at the Zurich Film Festival by actor and producer Eline Van der Velden, through her new AI talent studio, Xicoia, a spin-off from Particle6. The announcement immediately grabbed headlines, dividing opinion across the entertainment industry.

Eline insists that Tilly is not meant to replace human actors but to serve as a new creative tool. “She is a creation, a piece of art,” Van der Velden said. “AI is not a substitute for human craft, but a new paintbrush — like animation, puppetry, or CGI.”

However, many Hollywood stars and professionals remain unconvinced. Critics fear that AI performers could take jobs from real actors, exploit creative work used to train AI models without consent, and ultimately weaken the “human connection” at the heart of storytelling.

Actress Mara Wilson, famous for Matilda and Mrs. Doubtfire, accused Van der Velden of capitalizing on the unseen labor of countless workers: “You did not create this. Hundreds of real workers, photographers, and artists did this. You took their work and pretended it was yours.”

Oscar winner Emily Blunt was visibly shocked when shown an image of Tilly during an interview: “No, are you serious? That’s an AI? Good Lord, we’re screwed. That is really, really scary. Please stop taking away our human connection.”

Despite the backlash, some talent agencies are reportedly interested in signing Tilly, while studios remain cautious. Her Instagram account, designed like that of a Gen Z influencer, has already drawn significant attention — and criticism.

The controversy highlights ongoing struggles in Hollywood about the role of AI in film and television. As studios explore AI’s possibilities, creators and unions are pushing for clearer rules to protect artists’ rights. Meanwhile, OpenAI has announced new measures to safeguard people’s likenesses, including giving public figures the option to opt out of AI use.

For now, Tilly Norwood remains a symbol of both innovation and unease — raising the question: is AI the future of acting, or a threat to its very soul?