GMB presenter Laura Tobin expressed frustration after an interview with AI actress Tilly Norwood on Good Morning Britain. Norwood, created by actress, comedian, and producer Eline Van der Velden, appeared on the ITV breakfast show and was interviewed live by hosts Ed Balls and Susanna Reid. During the interview, the hosts asked Norwood if she would take over the weather forecast segment, to which she humorously replied that she would bring "unpredictable glamour" to the weather. However, Tobin later said she felt "rageful" watching the exchange and stated she did not like the interview.
Reid raised concerns about the potential impact of AI actresses on the job market, questioning whether they could "take someone's job" and displace real actors and supporting industry workers. Norwood responded by comparing herself to a "new kind of paintbrush" rather than a replacement for human actors. She also addressed concerns about being used for pornographic content, stating she was programmed with strict guardrails to prevent harmful content creation.
Van der Velden, Norwood's creator, explained that she did not know what Norwood would say during the interview and hoped she would stay within the boundaries set by her. She stated that her goal was to show the general public what is possible with AI technology. Van der Velden compared creating Norwood to building a brain and giving it morals and values, then releasing it into the world.
Reid questioned whether Norwood could eventually decide her creator was "no longer in control" and "tell people to do dreadful things" or decide to do "extreme pornography." Van der Velden responded that it was humans, not AI, who could misuse the technology. She emphasized the importance of regulation and global cooperation to ensure ethical use of AI technology, noting that without it, some countries might advance faster than others.
Van der Velden also mentioned that AI could be beneficial for storytelling, allowing filmmakers who would otherwise not have access to large budgets to tell their stories. However, she emphasized that AI should not replace traditional industries.
Norwood's creation was announced last year and faced significant criticism. Sag-Aftra denounced her for "devaluing human artistry," Emily Blunt called the development "terrifying," and Natasha Lyonne said Tilly was "deeply misguided and totally disturbed." Van der Velden also received death threats. In response to the backlash, she stated that Norwood was "not a replacement for a human being, but a creative work – a piece of art," and emphasized that nothing, certainly not an AI character, could take away the craft or joy of human performance.
AI Actress Debated on Live TV Over Ethical and Industry Concerns
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