As artificial intelligence becomes more common in Hollywood, some NECC students are raising concerns about synthetic performers like Tilly Norwood and their impact on opportunities for human actors.
Tilly Norwood is an AI-generated actress created by Eline Van der Velden, a Dutch comedian, writer, actress, producer and CEO of Particle 6, an award-winning AI-first production studio. The actress was announced Sept. 27, 2025, and sparked industry buzz along with backlash after reports that multiple talent agents wanted to sign the AI actress.
In 2023, a strike led by the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists raised concerns about studios using artificial intelligence without informed consent or fair compensation.
NECC student Allora Ramos said the union’s response to Tilly Norwood and other synthetic performers was an effort to protect the acting industry.
“I think they realize people won’t want to watch a film where the actor is AI,” she said. “The regulations against AI will last quite a while due to so many people not agreeing with AI and the strike from three years ago affecting revenue in Hollywood.”
Aside from the regulations, students also focused on the impact AI performers could have on those starting out in the acting industry.
Another student Dariellys Medina Duran said replacing actors with artificial intelligence would take away the hard work that was put into their careers.
“People have to find good agents, build a portfolio and go through relentless auditioning,” she said. “An AI actress is offensive to the people that put in the hard work to bring joy and entertainment for others.”
Some students also questioned whether artificial intelligence has been introduced as a cost reduction strategy than a creative tool.
“I definitely see AI overall as a tool for companies to save money,” Medina Duran said. “They want to make something that will give them tons of money without having to put any work into it.”
While some students expressed concerns over synthetic performers, others acknowledged the potential creative possibilities.
NECC student Eva Carias said AI in films could be interesting depending on how it is used.
“I would think as long as people have a good story and they’re able to make AI tell it properly,” she said. “I would probably look at the movies and enjoy them.”
However, students said human emotions are what makes films memorable and meaningful.
“Actors are able to add small things to a scene, like a squint to an eye or the way they say something,” Ramos said. “I believe that an AI actor wouldn’t be able to make those decisions that actors choose to make for their characters.”
