A year ago, the entertainment world buzzed with the arrival of Tilly Norwood, an AI-powered actress unveiled at the Zurich Summit. At the time, speculation ran high that major talent agencies were eager to sign her. Fast forward to this year's summit, and Norwood, alongside her creator Eline van der Velden of AI firm Particle 6, offered a surprising update during a session moderated by Deadline’s Diana Lodderhose.

Van der Velden revealed that, despite numerous opportunities, Tilly Norwood has not pursued traditional representation. “We’ve realized we don’t really need her to have a rep. I think she’s big enough as it is. We get loads of offers in,” van der Velden stated. Particle 6 has been selective, turning down roles in conventional films, as that isn't the purpose for which Tilly was created. This approach suggests a significant shift, potentially leaving traditional industry gatekeepers — like agents — struggling to adapt to new forms of talent.

From Tilly's own perspective, shared via video link, her position is indeed unique. When asked by Deadline’s Andreas Wiseman about meeting with major U.S. agencies or Hollywood studios, she acknowledged the nascent stage of AI integration in the industry. "The industry is still figuring out what to do with AI," she noted, emphasizing that her career path isn't "quite like having a traditional agent in Hollywood just yet." Tilly primarily focuses on AI-centric productions, and while she expressed a desire to collaborate with human stars like Tom Holland and Olivia Colman, it would only be through their "digital twins on an AI production."

The growth of Particle 6 underscores the increasing acceptance of AI in entertainment. Van der Velden proudly shared that her company has quadrupled in size since its inception. They are actively developing several projects, including Tilly Norwood's debut, an AI comedy-drama titled Misaligned, which is currently in production. Particle 6 also showcased footage from Storm Dogs, a kids' movie being developed and executive-produced by The Lion King director Rob Minkoff.

While the technology is advancing rapidly, it's not without its quirks. The session began with a humorous video acknowledging a recent high-profile glitch where Tilly unexpectedly began speaking Chinese during an interview with Piers Morgan. And during the summit, she reportedly gave at least one "wonky" answer, reminding attendees that the development of AI performance is an ongoing process. Nevertheless, Tilly Norwood’s journey exemplifies a groundbreaking shift in how talent is discovered, managed, and utilized in the ever-evolving world of entertainment.