Meet Tilly Norwood and her creator: AI "actor," death threats, and new Hollywood
Summary
Bob Safian interviews Eileen Vandenbeld, CEO of Particle 6, and her AI creation, Tilly Norwood, who has sparked Hollywood controversy as a photorealistic digital actor. They discuss the development of Tilly, the ethical debates surrounding AI in entertainment, and the upcoming feature film "Misaligned." The episode explores whether AI can replace human actors, the economic implications for the industry, and the unique challenges of interacting with a non-human entity.
Topics discussed
Introduction to Eileen Vandenbeld and Tilly Norwood
Sponsor segment: Engine's unmanaged travel solutions
Interviewing Tilly: Authenticity and unpredictability
Guardrails and the nature of LLM-driven characters
Tilly's rise and comparisons to Lil Michaela
Impact on production costs, carbon footprint, and jobs
Public backlash and safety threats in the US
Tilly as an art project and new creative opportunities
The film 'Misaligned': AI-only casting and goals
Rapid AI evolution and the entertainment industry
Transparency, audience perception, and storytelling
AI as a tool: Avoiding 'slop' and enhancing skills
Technical differences: Conversational vs. acting AI
Character design and the value of human expertise
Copyright, training data, and ethical considerations
Pricing Tilly and her commercial value
Regulation, ethics, and the message of 'Misaligned'
Sponsor segment: Engine's travel admin and savings
Interview with Tilly Norwood on identity and career
Conclusion, final sponsor read, and credits
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