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[FCE] Creator of AI actor Tilly Norwood says she received death threats over project

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Eline van der Velden, the visionary behind the artificial intelligence (AI) actor Tilly Norwood, has recently revealed she received death threats following widespread global criticism of her project. Van der Velden clarified that her intention in developing Tilly was to “provoke thoughts and discussion” concerning the growing influence of AI within the entertainment industry.

The controversy began last year when Van der Velden announced that talent agents had expressed interest in representing her AI creation. This suggestion was met with immediate and strong condemnation from prominent actors and acting unions, who voiced serious concerns about the future prospects of human performers. While Van der Velden anticipated some negative feedback for her audacious idea, she admitted to being “quite shocked by the vitriol,” which included numerous death threats. Tilly, who made her debut in a brief comedy sketch last autumn, has already attracted a substantial online following, boasting 141,000 followers on Instagram.

Despite the intense backlash, Van der Velden remains a staunch advocate for integrating AI into creative fields. She contends that this technology “might actually be a blessing” for certain actors, particularly those who wish to avoid the often-heavy pressures of public recognition. She proposes that digital avatars, such as Tilly, could function as “digital twins,” allowing real performers to control them using motion capture technology. According to her, this innovative method would enable actors to concentrate solely on their artistic expression, conveying emotions and portraying diverse characters without the personal demands frequently linked to celebrity status.

Van der Velden further explained that she has consistently refused offers for Tilly to participate in productions if it meant displacing a human actor, underscoring that this was never the core objective of her initiative. Instead, she is currently focused on producing original content, including a micro-drama series, specifically featuring Tilly. She acknowledged that Tilly was developed using publicly accessible AI tools, meaning the specific data employed for her training is not traceable. Van der Velden views this as a positive aspect, suggesting it “builds on the whole of humanity” and could potentially open up new creative avenues for others to utilise these tools constructively.

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1. What is the main purpose of the article?

  • A. To warn actors about the dangers of AI in the entertainment industry.
  • B. To discuss the controversy and developer’s perspective surrounding an AI actor.
  • C. To describe how AI actors like Tilly Norwood are created using public data.
  • D. To highlight the impressive social media following of an AI celebrity.

2. The controversy surrounding Tilly Norwood initially escalated when Eline van der Velden announced that…

  • A. Tilly would begin appearing in a new micro-drama series.
  • B. Tilly had received a large number of followers on Instagram.
  • C. talent agents were interested in representing the AI actor.
  • D. she had received threats due to her project.

3. Despite the negative reactions, Eline van der Velden believes that AI in creative fields could be beneficial because it might allow actors to…

  • A. gain more public recognition and become famous more quickly.
  • B. focus on acting without the personal demands of celebrity.
  • C. replace human performers who are less talented.
  • D. create their own content independently of film studios.

4. What does the word ‘vitriol’ mean in the second paragraph?

  • A. extreme interest and enthusiasm
  • B. bitter and abusive criticism
  • C. surprising and unexpected support
  • D. widespread public recognition

5. According to Van der Velden, what is a key principle she follows with Tilly’s projects?

  • A. To only accept roles where Tilly replaces an existing human actor.
  • B. To focus primarily on developing Tilly’s social media presence.
  • C. To ensure Tilly is used in original content rather than replacing humans.
  • D. To avoid using publicly available AI tools in her development.