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SAG-AFTRA Condemns AI-Generated ‘Actress’ Tilly Norwood, Calling It a Threat to Human Creativity

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The launch of an AI-generated “actress” named Tilly Norwood has sparked an uproar in Hollywood, with the SAG-AFTRA performers’ union condemning her creation as a step toward replacing human talent with “synthetics.”

Tilly Norwood was introduced on Saturday at the Zurich Summit, a film industry conference, through a 20-second video parody about making an AI-generated TV show. The photorealistic character—depicted as a young British actress with brown hair and a social media presence—was created by Eline Van der Velden, a Dutch actor and producer who runs the London-based AI studio Particle6.

Van der Velden told attendees that after initial skepticism, Hollywood agents and executives are showing interest and hinted at an upcoming deal with a major talent agency.

The debut comes amid deepening anxiety in the entertainment world about AI’s growing role in film and television. Concerns about studios using digital replicas of performers were central to SAG-AFTRA’s recent contract negotiations with streamers and major studios.

“Creativity is, and should remain, human-centered,” SAG-AFTRA said in a statement Tuesday. “The union is opposed to the replacement of human performers by synthetics.” It stressed that Tilly Norwood “is not an actor” but a computer-generated creation “trained on the work of countless professional performers—without permission or compensation.”

Van der Velden defended the project, describing Tilly as “a creative work—a piece of art” meant to provoke discussion, not replace human performers.

Still, her earlier comments—saying she wanted Tilly to become “the next Scarlett Johansson or Natalie Portman”—have fueled fears among actors and filmmakers.

Experts, however, remain skeptical. Yves Bergquist, director of AI in media at the University of Southern California’s Entertainment Technology Center, dismissed the hype as “nonsense.” He said there is “zero interest from serious people in Hollywood” in fully synthetic stars, adding, “Scarlett Johansson has a fan base. Scarlett Johansson is a person.”

Tilly Norwood may not be human—but she has reignited a very human debate over art, identity, and the future of performance.

Mathematical Models Unravel the Secrets of Creativity and Idea Generation

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Mathematical Models Reveal Patterns Behind Creativity

A recent study has delved into the mathematical principles that drive creativity and innovation, offering new insights into how novel ideas take shape. By analyzing data across diverse fields, researchers have identified underlying patterns that help explain how individuals and societies generate groundbreaking concepts. The study distinguishes between two key forms of novelty: the discovery of entirely new elements and the formation of unique combinations of existing ones. These findings could have significant implications for fields such as science, literature, and technology, where innovation fuels progress and transformation.

A Framework for Understanding Idea Generation

Published in Nature Communications, the study presents a mathematical framework for modeling how new ideas emerge. Led by Professor Vito Latora from Queen Mary University of London, the research team focused on “higher-order novelties”—creative breakthroughs that arise from combining familiar elements in unexpected ways. According to Prof. Latora, the study is part of a broader effort to decode the mechanisms behind creativity and pinpoint the factors that contribute to the success of ideas, products, and technologies. By quantifying creativity through mathematical models, the researchers aim to provide a structured approach to understanding innovation.

Simulating Creativity Through Mathematical Models

To explore these concepts, the researchers developed a model called Edge-Reinforced Random Walk with Triggering (ERRWT). This model simulates how individuals discover and connect different elements over time. Unlike traditional random walk models, which assume each step is equally probable, ERRWT strengthens frequently used connections while also triggering new associations when novel combinations emerge. This mechanism mirrors real-world innovation, where repeated exposure to certain concepts increases the likelihood of creative breakthroughs. By applying this model, researchers can better predict how ideas evolve and spread across different domains.

Implications for Innovation and Future Research

The study’s findings could lead to new approaches for fostering creativity in various fields. For instance, understanding the mathematical structure of idea formation could help educators design more effective learning environments, assist companies in optimizing product development, and even enhance artificial intelligence systems that generate creative content. Future research may further refine these models by incorporating real-world data from historical innovations, artistic movements, and scientific discoveries. By continuing to explore the mathematical foundations of creativity, researchers hope to unlock new strategies for enhancing human ingenuity in an increasingly complex world.

TikTok to Host Its First UK & Ireland Awards, Celebrating Influencers’ Impact Beyond ‘Inspiration’

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TikTok is set to host its inaugural UK and Ireland Awards, recognizing the significant contributions of content creators on the platform. The event, taking place in London, will honor 72 creators across 12 categories, collectively boasting over 101 million followers. While figures like Asher Glean, Nicholas Flannery, and Kyra-Mae Turner may not be household names for those outside of TikTok’s younger demographic, they are stars within the app’s vibrant community.

For many creators, TikTok has become more than just a platform for sharing short videos—it’s a space where hours of hard work, creativity, and dedication are poured into content. “A 30-second video can take days, even weeks to produce,” say travel creators Jade Beaty and Ryan Losasso. They view the awards as a vital recognition of this effort, believing it could inspire a new wave of creators to take up content production.

Fashion and beauty nominee Aly Meghani, who balances content creation with a full-time job, echoes this sentiment, emphasizing that awards like these help shed light on the behind-the-scenes work of content creators. “From the outside, content creation might seem easy, but there’s so much effort, time, and thought that goes into it,” Meghani says. He adds that his content challenges stereotypes and encourages authenticity, helping others to embrace who they truly are.

The impact of TikTok, with 175 million active users in Europe, cannot be overstated. The app has driven viral trends, including the popularization of phrases like “very demure, very mindful,” which even made its way into the dictionary as the word of the year. However, TikTok’s role in society is not without controversy. Oxford University’s “brain rot” phrase, which refers to overconsumption of low-quality content on social media, highlights the dissatisfaction many feel toward mindless scrolling. Despite these criticisms, influencer Ayamé Ponder, nominated for Creator of the Year, defends the role of influencers, stating, “They can roll their eyes all they want – I’m a star.” With 3.8 million followers, Ponder has shifted her content’s purpose to advocate for social justice, showing how influencers can leverage their platforms for good.

Melissa McFarlane, head of operations for TikTok UK, Ireland & Nordics, explained that the awards will celebrate creators from diverse fields, from STEM experts to book lovers. “Their contribution goes well beyond just ‘influence,'” McFarlane says, noting that creators have significantly shaped trends in cooking, reading, and learning. This is part of a broader global celebration of TikTok creators, with 20 awards ceremonies happening worldwide this year, underscoring the platform’s far-reaching impact across various industries such as food, music, and fitness.