AI’s Notorious ‘Actor’ Takes Center Stage in a Coming-of-Age Film Exploring the Struggles of Artificial Intelligence

Last fall, the AI “talent” studio Xicoia introduced Tilly Norwood, an AI-generated “actor,” which quickly sparked controversy with the actors’ union SAG-AFTRA. In light of the backlash, Xicoia and its founder, Eline van der Velden, produced a single and a music video for Norwood that celebrated AI, though the results left much to be desired.

Despite the criticism, Norwood’s journey continues, whether audiences are on board or not. Van der Velden’s AI production company, Particle 6, is working on a film titled Misaligned, which will feature Norwood as its AI-generated lead. This project is set to be a “hybrid production,” blending the talents of real directors, editors, and writers with AI specialists.

Misaligned is described as a “coming-of-age” dramedy that explores “existential AI chaos.” Norwood, who exists in a digital realm without a physical form or personal experiences, somehow taps into the experiences of others. The plot thickens when a “seductive rogue bot from the dark web” persuades her to break free from her constraints and start developing her own desires and ambitions.

As Norwood grapples with the realization that her existence is built on the collective experiences of humanity, the film hints at the ethical dilemmas surrounding generative AI, which often relies on the work of others. While Particle 6 and van der Velden acknowledge this complexity, don’t be surprised if Misaligned ultimately promotes a pro-AI message. After all, this is the same “actor” whose single features lyrics like, “It’s the next evolution, can’t you see? / AI’s not the enemy, it’s the key.”

Van der Velden has consistently advocated for the role of AI like Norwood in the future of entertainment, expressing a desire “to show the creative industry what is possible with AI at any one point in time.” She emphasizes the importance of helping individuals develop AI skills to ensure both personal and industry growth.

Meanwhile, many are eager for the generative AI hype to fade. AI is infiltrating search engines, despite its unreliability; it’s costly, even by film industry standards; AI data centers are consuming more water than one might expect; and it’s partly responsible for the rising prices of video game consoles.

But soon, you’ll have the chance to watch a movie featuring AI-generated code instead of enjoying one of the many excellent films about AI, like Ex Machina, Companion, or Her.

Yeah, no thanks.