Entertainment3 min(s) read
British actress claims her image was stolen to create Hollywood’s AI actor Tilly Norwood
Scottish actor Briony Monroe has raised concerns that her image was used without permission in the development of an AI character named Tilly Norwood.
Created by the AI talent studio Xicoia, Norwood is already gaining attention in Hollywood, sparking discussions about the ethics of using real actors' likenesses in AI creations.
Monroe claims that one promotional image of the character bears a striking resemblance to her, raising questions about consent and intellectual property rights.
Briony Monroe’s allegations
Monroe, known for her role in the film The Slave and the General, shared her concerns, telling The Scotsman: “I've been contacted by so many people asking if the new AI actress is based on me.
"I'm really concerned that my image performance and rights have been breached, but the lack of transparency means I'm in the dark."
She stated that the promotional image used for Tilly Norwood featured a likeness so similar to her own face that it felt like a breach of her rights.
Monroe is being supported by the actors' union, Equity, which is advocating for greater transparency and protection for performers in the age of AI.
The actor pointed out that while many images of Norwood do not resemble her, a specific picture used in the promotional campaign strongly resembled her features.
Furthermore, Monroe claimed that the character’s mannerisms in one of Norwood’s showreel scenes mirrored hers, leading to further frustration about the lack of consent.
Industry reactions and concerns
The emergence of AI-generated characters has sparked strong reactions in Hollywood. Well-known actors, including Emily Blunt and Whoopi Goldberg, have expressed concern over the potential for AI to replace human talent.
Blunt called the idea “really, really scary,” emphasizing the need to maintain genuine human connection in entertainment.
Goldberg, too, argued that AI-generated characters, which combine elements from various famous actors, give them an unfair advantage over live performers.
However, some proponents of AI, like Eline Van der Velden of Particle6, the studio behind Tilly Norwood, defend the use of AI as a tool for creativity rather than a replacement for human actors.
Van der Velden views Norwood’s creation as a new form of art that opens up new possibilities for storytelling without diminishing the value of live acting.
The call for clear guidelines
Monroe’s case highlights the urgent need for clear rules around the use of AI in the entertainment industry.
Equity, which has expressed support for Monroe’s case, is calling for stronger regulations to ensure that performers’ rights are respected.
The union is lobbying for transparency, consent, and fair compensation when an actor’s image or performance is used in AI creations.
This issue comes shortly after an incident where ScotRail replaced an AI voice trained using audio from a Scottish actor, adding to the ongoing debate about the ethical use of AI in industries that rely on human creativity.
The conversation surrounding AI in entertainment is only growing, and many are hoping that clearer standards will emerge to protect performers and their work.