The Times Tech Podcast: "Will this AI Actress be the Next Oscar Winner?"

Date: March 20, 2026
Hosts: Danny Fortson (San Francisco), Katie Prescott (London)
Guest: Eline Van der Velden (CEO, Particle 6 and creator of “Tilly Norwood”)

Overview:

This episode dives into the seismic changes AI is bringing to entertainment, focusing especially on the rise of AI “actors”—and asking if one, ‘Tilly Norwood,’ could even be up for an Oscar. Joined by Eline Van der Velden, Tilly’s creator, the hosts examine the cultural, economic, and ethical impact of AI-generated Hollywood stars and wider implications for creative industries. The debate spans copyright, job disruption, industry economics, and whether AI is empowering or replacing human talent.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. AI in Entertainment and the Oscar Question

• The Moment: Nvidia’s CEO predicts a $1 trillion revenue future (01:16), highlighting AI’s explosive growth.
• Joke With a Truth: Conan O’Brien quips he’ll be the last human Oscar host (01:57).
• Industry Turmoil: Hollywood is reeling from strikes and streaming wars, with AI center-stage in ongoing union negotiations (01:57–04:33).
• Introduction of "Tilly Tax": Unions propose studios pay fees when using AI actors, named after Tilly Norwood, the world’s first “AI actor” (02:50–03:03).
  • Katie: “You must be wondering what on earth is a Tilly tax?...it’s a fee that studios would have to pay them for using an AI actor.” (02:50)
  • Danny: “All of this got us thinking. Could an AI actor…be in the running for next year’s Academy Awards?” (03:18)

2. Copyright Showdown: Creative Industries vs. AI Innovators

• UK Regulatory Moves: New government consultations on copyright—balancing a £146 billion creative sector with the tech industry’s hunger for data (05:50–07:18).
• Labelling Push: Discussion of whether content should be labeled “human-made” or “AI-generated.”
  • Danny: “Think of it like a certified organic…proudly Human or AI free.” (13:46)
  • Katie: “There will be a task force…proposals on best practice for labeling AI generated content.” (14:44)

3. AI-Generated Podcast Hits #1—Jobs Disruption Goes Beyond Film

• The Epstein Files: The first fully AI-generated podcast races up the Apple charts (08:08)—created by Adam Levy, who coded an AI to ingest and narrate investigation files (08:08–09:37).
  • Katie: “The reason that everyone was freaking out is because the first fully AI generated podcast reached the top…no studio or production team made it…” (08:08)
  • Danny: “AI can do things that…a team of humans can do, which is trawl through millions of documents…” (10:04)
• Emotional Disconnect: Hosts critique the “Muzak” feel and lack of human warmth in AI narration (10:33–10:59).
  • Katie: “A lack of warmth to it and I would also say a lack of sense. One of the things you're always taught in radio is to speak like a human…” (10:59)

4. Interview: Eline Van der Velden, Creator of Tilly Norwood

Who is Tilly? Why does she matter?

• Eline’s Background: Physics, acting, viral content. “I thought, well, I'd like to make something with this new tech…I know acting…” (20:52)
• Creation & Reception:
  • “She really represented…the fear that people were feeling…AI taking over and taking my job…” (22:00)
  • “She became that human symbol for AI, the scapegoat…to attack for everything that people hate about AI.” (24:01)

How Does Tilly Norwood Work? (24:17–29:00)

• Tech Breakdown:
  • Initial version: Input an image and prompt to create performance.
  • “AI was wrong about a lot of the suggestions because she looked really, like, airbrushed and perfect. And I was like, no, I want more…grittiness and Girl Next Door vibe.” (24:28)
  • Now: Performance capture—mapping Eline’s acting onto Tilly’s avatar (27:15).
  • “With AI you can go beyond what’s normally possible…expanding your creativity…what can we do that was never possible before?” (30:03)

Economic and Industry Impact (32:11–33:48)

• Cost Savings:
  • “We say it’s about a 50% reduction in cost and time…which is huge.” (33:03)
  • AI tech is becoming “like electricity or Wi-Fi–ingrained in some way, shape or form.” (33:12)
• Upskilling is Critical:
  • “If you know how to use AI in your industry, you will be king, right? Or queen…” (30:03)

The “Tilly Tax” and Labor Concerns

• Studios may pay a fee for using AI actors.
  • Eline: “If you’re employing the digital twin of Matthew McConaughey…you get his consent, you pay his fee…” (34:38)
  • “If a studio creates 20 actors…it’s very different to a human creator creating a Tilly.” (34:39)
  • Most AI-actor “puppeteers” are paid less than traditional stars. And, philosophically: “Actors don’t get into acting…to not be seen.” (35:12–35:38)

Transparency, Labeling, and Ethics

• Transparency: “We’ve always been very transparent about Tilly being AI. I think people should be transparent.” (36:24)
• Ethical Arguments:
  • “I feel it’s much safer to act through an AI actor…don’t have to deal with fame, looks, or weight…a lot of mental health stuff…” (36:55)
  • “If you did a like for like, traditional shoot vs. AI, the carbon footprint would be 90% higher for the traditional.” (37:59)
  • For children, animals, ethically preferable to use AI (36:55).

Hollywood’s Reluctant Embrace of AI

• Eline: “Everybody is moving in that direction…people are using it, just not talking about it.” (31:18)
• “We have a whole studio…churning out adverts…we have costume designers, directors, DOPs, all working with AI.” (32:19)

5. Hosts’ Reflections: What Does It All Mean?

• Industry Denial: “The train has already left the station in terms of AI being used.” (39:38)
• Job Changes Not Elimination: “All these jobs aren't just going to disappear, but they are going to change…that’s gonna be a really messy process.” (41:27)
• Artistic Questions: “How many actors…don’t want to be on stage or on screen? None. It kind of gets to the very notion of what art is and who artists are.” (42:25)
• Economic Imperatives: For studios with shrinking margins, the appeal of 50% cost reduction is “too big to ignore.” (42:14)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

“She became that human symbol for AI, and so she became the scapegoat, and she became the symbol to attack for everything that people hate about AI.”
— Eline Van der Velden (24:01)

“If you know how to use AI in your industry, you will be king, right? Or queen, whatever it is... If you're an actor and you know how to become an AI actor, you will have lots of work.”
— Eline Van der Velden (30:03)

“It will go very gradually. But by the end of this year, there’ll be no production that is 0% AI…It will be ingrained in some way, shape or form.”
— Eline Van der Velden (33:16)

“The answer to our big question is…yes and yes. It’s both empowering and replacing.”
— Danny Fortson (43:09)

Notable Timestamps

• 01:57: Conan O’Brien’s “last human host” Oscar joke and impact of recent Hollywood strikes
• 03:03: Origin of the “Tilly tax”
• 05:50–07:18: UK government’s copyright/AI consultation
• 08:08: The Epstein Files, first fully AI-generated podcast, tops Apple charts
• 13:46: Move towards “Certified Human Made” labeling
• 20:52: Eline Van der Velden introduces Tilly Norwood
• 24:01: Scapegoating of Tilly as symbol of AI-fear
• 27:15: “How does Tilly act?” – performance capture & tech explained
• 33:03: “50% reduction” in production costs and time using AI
• 34:38: Nuances in labor & copyright for AI “digital twin” actors
• 36:24: Importance & challenge of transparency/labeling AI content
• 36:55: Argument for ethical AI performance (mental health/safety)
• 41:27: Hosts on job change vs. job elimination

Episode Tone and Style

The discussion is witty, inquisitive, and often self-aware, blending skepticism and fascination (“Are we just comforting ourselves because the alternative is way too scary?”). Both hosts are candid about their own industry anxieties, and the guest—Eline—balances techno-optimism with industry realism. There's humor—especially when considering "SEAL Team Six for AI" or debating if AI actors need labels or even agents.

Conclusion: Where Are We Headed?

AI is reshaping creative industries faster than policy or tradition can keep pace, forcing hard conversations about credit, jobs, and creative identity. For now, it both unlocks “ludicrous” creative possibilities and turbocharges cost-cutting, with no easy answers for unions or studios. The only certainty is further upheaval—and the need for both transparency and upskilling.

“It’s both empowering people and replacing them…everything everywhere all at once.”
— Danny Fortson (43:09)

Listener Call:
How do you feel about listening to an AI podcast or watching an AI film? Should there be a ‘Tilly tax’ on AI actors? Email techpod@thetimes.co.uk with your views.