AI-Generated Actresses Gain Spotlight Amid Concerns in Hawaiʻi’s Film Industry

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October 21, 2025

AI “Actor” Sparks Industry Debate and Regulatory Calls

Los Angeles, CA – A digitally created performer named Tilly Norwood is causing ripples throughout the entertainment industry, igniting a fierce debate about the future of acting and the need for updated regulations surrounding Artificial Intelligence. Created by London-based Particle6, Norwood, presented as a young British woman, has a growing social media presence and has even engaged with talent agencies.

The Emergence of Synthetic Performers

Norwood represents a new frontier in AI technology, moving beyond simple digital effects to create entirely synthetic individuals.The AI production company, founded in 2015, specializes in generating shows, avatars, commercials, and campaigns entirely through artificial intelligence. This raises fundamental questions about authenticity,artistry,and job security within the film and television sectors. According to a recent report by forbes, the market for AI in media and entertainment is projected to reach $14.6 billion by 2027, highlighting the rapid growth of this technology.

Industry Backlash and Union Concerns

The Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has strongly condemned Norwood, asserting it is not an actor but rather a computer-generated character built on the work of countless professional performers without their consent or compensation. The union’s statement emphasized the inherent lack of lived experience and emotional depth in AI creations. Irish Barber, a representative for IATSE Local 665, echoed these concerns, noting the potential for AI to displace human talent.

Film advocates in Hawaii are also voicing their opposition, urging lawmakers to address the rapidly evolving technology. Concerns center around preserving the integrity of artistic expression and protecting the livelihoods of performers.

Regulatory Landscape and Legal Complexities

California took a leading step in September 2025 by enacting Senate Bill 53, requiring AI companies to publicly disclose safety protocols and report critical incidents. Hawaii has also enacted legislation banning political deepfakes, though it does not outright restrict the use of AI.At the federal level,U.S.Representative Ed Case stated that Congress is discussing AI regulation, but no legislation has been introduced yet. Concerns exist about creating a patchwork of inconsistent laws across the country.

Legal challenges are already emerging,with companies like Disney and Warner Bros.filing lawsuits alleging copyright infringement by AI developers. Legal expert Bill meyer, of Settle Meyer Law, points out the difficulty of proving copyright violations and determining appropriate damages in such cases. “You can’t put the toothpaste back in the tube,” Meyer said. “They’ve already done the scraping.”

State	AI regulation
California	Requires disclosure of safety protocols and incident reporting.
Hawaii	Bans political deepfakes.
Federal	Discussion stage,no legislation yet.

The Importance of Authenticity and Cultural representation

Native Hawaiian actress Krista Alvarez highlighted the importance of authenticity in storytelling, particularly the need to ensure accurate and respectful representation of cultural elements if AI is used to create characters based on specific cultures. Alvarez stated, “Are the cultural elements of this character going to be honored? Is it going to be authentic?” This concern underscores the unique challenges faced by marginalized communities in an era of rapidly advancing AI technology.

Though, not all perspectives are negative. Elliot Lucas of the Kaua’i Film Academy acknowledged the potential benefits of AI in streamlining production processes,such as visual effects and audio editing. He noted that AI can substantially reduce costs and time spent on certain tasks.

Did You Know? The term “deepfake” originated in 2017 and refers to synthetic media where a person in an existing image or video is replaced with someone else’s likeness.

Pro Tip: Stay informed about the latest developments in AI regulation and consider the ethical implications of using AI tools in your work.

The creator of Tilly Norwood insists the AI performer is a creative work, not a replacement for human actors. Still, the emergence of such technology is forcing a critical conversation about the future of the entertainment industry and the need for proactive regulation.

The broader Implications of AI in Creative Fields

The debate surrounding AI performers extends beyond Hollywood.Similar concerns are arising in fields like music, writing, and visual arts. As AI tools become more sophisticated, it’s crucial to have conversations around intellectual property, artistic ownership, and the potential impact on human creativity. The evolution of AI also emphasizes the importance of skills that are uniquely human, such as critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and complex problem-solving.

Frequently Asked Questions About AI and the Entertainment Industry

• What is an AI performer? An AI performer is a digitally created character generated by artificial intelligence, capable of appearing and behaving like a human actor.
• What are the concerns surrounding AI actors? Concerns include job displacement,copyright infringement,and the devaluation of human artistry.
• Is AI regulation currently in place? California has enacted regulations requiring AI companies to disclose safety protocols, and Hawaii has banned political deepfakes.
• What is SAG-AFTRA’s stance on AI performers? SAG-AFTRA condemns the use of AI performers created without the consent or compensation of human actors.
• How can the entertainment industry adapt to AI? The industry needs to develop ethical guidelines, legal frameworks, and strategies to mitigate the potential negative impacts of AI.
• What are deepfakes? Deepfakes are synthetic media where a person in an existing image or video is replaced with someone else’s likeness, frequently enough used maliciously.
• What is the expected market size for AI in media and entertainment? The market is projected to reach $14.6 billion by 2027, according to Forbes.

What are your thoughts on the rise of AI performers? Do you believe regulation is necessary to protect human artists and ensure authenticity in the entertainment industry?

What specific concerns do Hawaiian actors and crew have regarding the increased use of AI-generated performers in film productions?

The Rise of Virtual Talent in Hollywood & Beyond

The entertainment industry is undergoing a seismic shift, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). While AI’s role in post-production – visual effects, sound design – has been established for years, its emergence as a tool for creating talent is sparking debate, notably in locations like Hawaiʻi, heavily reliant on the film and television industry. AI actresses, digital actors, and synthetic performers are no longer futuristic concepts; they’re actively being utilized in projects, raising questions about job security, artistic integrity, and the future of performance.

Hawaiʻi’s Film Industry: A Unique Vulnerability

Hawaiʻi’s film industry, while boasting stunning locations and a skilled local crew, operates on a smaller scale than major hubs like Los Angeles or Atlanta. This makes it particularly susceptible to disruption from cost-saving measures like employing AI-generated actors.

* Reduced Production Costs: Utilizing AI eliminates expenses associated with actor salaries,travel,accommodation,insurance,and potential union negotiations.

* Control & Flexibility: AI performers offer directors unprecedented control over performance, allowing for precise adjustments and eliminating scheduling conflicts.

* Perpetual Availability: Unlike human actors, AI can “work” indefinitely, without fatigue or demands for time off.

These factors are attractive to productions operating on tight budgets, potentially diverting work away from local Hawaiian actors and crew. The Hawaiʻi Film office is actively monitoring the situation, but concrete regulations are still in development.

Real-World Examples & Case studies

The use of AI in performance isn’t hypothetical. Several instances demonstrate its growing prevalence:

* The “Here” Commercial (2023): Pauline Dementieva, a virtual influencer created by CGI studio Altered State, starred in a Super Bowl commercial for PopCorners, showcasing the potential for AI to reach mainstream audiences. While not a traditional acting role, it highlighted the viability of entirely digital performers.

* Resurrection of Bruce Lee: The Lee family granted permission to use AI to recreate Bruce Lee’s likeness and voice for a film project,sparking ethical debates about posthumous performance and intellectual property.

* Independent Film Projects: Numerous independent filmmakers are experimenting with AI-generated actors for roles requiring specific, arduous-to-cast characteristics or for projects with limited funding.

These examples demonstrate a spectrum of AI submission, from virtual influencers to recreating iconic figures, and its increasing adoption across different production scales.

Concerns from Actors & Unions

The Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has been at the forefront of addressing the challenges posed by AI. The 2023 strike, partially fueled by concerns over AI rights, resulted in a landmark agreement addressing:

* Consent & Compensation: Actors must consent to the digital replication of their likeness, and receive fair compensation for its use.

* Protection Against Unauthorized Use: Safeguards against the creation of “digital doubles” without explicit permission.

* Openness Requirements: Productions must disclose when AI is used to alter or replace performances.

Though, these protections primarily apply to unionized actors. Non-union performers, and particularly those in smaller markets like Hawaiʻi, remain vulnerable.Local actors express fears of being replaced by cheaper, readily available AI alternatives. Digital human technology is advancing rapidly, making it increasingly difficult to distinguish between real and synthetic performances.

The Legal Landscape: Intellectual Property & Rights

The legal implications of AI-generated content are complex and evolving. Key areas of concern include:

* Copyright Ownership: Who owns the copyright to a performance created by AI? The programmer, the user, or the AI itself?

* Right of Publicity: Can an AI replicate a person’s likeness without their consent, even if the likeness isn’t explicitly copyrighted?

* Data privacy: What data is used to train AI models, and how is that data protected?

These questions are currently being debated in courts and legislatures worldwide. The lack of clear legal frameworks creates uncertainty for both creators and performers. AI voice cloning and deepfake technology further complicate the issue, raising concerns about misrepresentation and defamation.

Benefits & Opportunities: A balanced Viewpoint

While concerns are valid, AI also presents potential benefits for the film industry:

* Accessibility & Inclusivity: AI can create diverse characters and performers that might not or else be represented.

* reviving Historical Figures: AI can bring historical figures to life in a realistic and engaging way.

* Expanding Creative Possibilities: AI can enable filmmakers to realize visions that were previously unachievable.

* supporting Actors: AI can assist actors with tasks like motion capture and performance enhancement.

The key lies in responsible implementation and ensuring that AI serves as a tool to augment human creativity, rather than replace it entirely.

Practical Tips for Actors & filmmakers

* Actors: