Overview

• London studio Particle6, via its Xicoia division with creator Eline Van der Velden, introduced Tilly in an entirely AI-generated sketch and runs her active Instagram account of roughly 50,000 followers.
• Van der Velden says talent agencies are in discussions to represent the virtual performer following a Zurich Film Festival presentation.
• SAG-AFTRA and UK union Equity publicly opposed the project, arguing that creativity should remain human and that the system references actors’ work without authorization.
• Emily Blunt, Whoopi Goldberg and Natasha Lyonne voiced criticism, with some calling the avatar scary and urging pressure on promoters.
• Particle6 claims AI performers could cut production costs by up to 90%, deepening concerns over wages, employment and how recent contract protections will apply.