Redazione RHC : 30 September 2025 15:59
In an industry once dominated by live-action stars, digital characters are increasingly gaining traction. At a summit in Zurich, actress, comedian, and technologist Ellin van der Velden announced that her AI agency, Xicoia, is in talks with several major agents to sign its first virtual talent: an AI actress named Tilly Norwood.
Ellin van der Velden presented her initiative at a panel dedicated to artificial intelligence in the entertainment industry. She described her AI production studio Particle6 , which later evolved into Xicoia , an agency specializing in the creation, management, and monetization of “hyperrealistic digital stars.” Tilly Norwood is the first such “actress” capable of interacting with the public as a fully-fledged media personality.
It’s not just about simple visualization, but about fully integrating AI characters into the production chain. According to Ellin van der Velden, in February many studios were skeptical about AI processes: “Everyone was saying, ‘This isn’t serious, it won’t work .’
However, in May, the rhetoric changed dramatically. Tilly began attracting interest from agencies , and a public announcement is now being prepared regarding who will take her under their wing. This will be one of the first times an actress created entirely by AI will have official representation in the entertainment world.
Verena Pum, a former AI artist and current employee at Luma AI, also confirmed the shift in sentiment in the industry . She recalled that until recently, studios openly denied using AI or hid any real progress.
“Earlier this year, manufacturers started reaching out to me, asking me to discuss AI integration, asking me to explain how to build pipelines and adapt workflows ,” Pum said.
According to her , many major players in the industry are already developing projects using artificial intelligence, but they are doing so under NDA and are not yet ready to make this news public.
However, both Ellin van der Velden and Poom agree on one thing: in the coming months, we can expect major announcements from Hollywood studios, where AI talent like Tilly Norwood will be used alongside real actors. Poom added that studios need time to gain confidence, but we’ll see a series of public announcements early next year.
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