Episode Details

The panel examines the controversy over "Tilly Norwood," an AI-generated actress, and what it means for Hollywood's future. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Marty Jencius, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Eric Bolden, Guy Serle, Web Bixby, Jeff Gamet, Jim Rea, and Mark Fuccio debate whether artificial performers threaten human creativity, explore ethical uses of AI to augment actors, and consider the limits of synthetic art versus human expression as technology blurs artistic boundaries.

This edition of MacVoices is brought to you by our Patreon supporters. Get access to the MacVoices Slack and MacVoices After Dark by joining in at Patreon.com/macvoices.

Chapters:

[0:00] Introduction – Who is Tilly Norwood? [2:00] Actors React to AI Talent Representation [3:30] AI and the Future of Hollywood Production [5:00] Human Stars vs Synthetic Characters [6:20] Animation and AI Integration in Film [9:00] Creativity and the Human Element in Art [10:20] Ethical and Consensual Uses of AI in Movies [12:30] CGI, Storytelling, and Human Essence [14:50] AI Voices and Changing Audience Perception [17:20] Actor Credit and Fair Use of AI Models [18:50] Limits of AI Creativity and Originality [21:50] A Spectrum of AI Applications in Entertainment [24:10] Public Acceptance and Hollywood's Next Move

Links:

SAG-AFTRA Responds To AI Actress Tilly Norwood Furore: "Creativity Is & Should Remain Human-Centered https://deadline.com/2025/09/sag-aftra-responds-ai-actress-tilly-norwood-1236565959/

Guests:

Web Bixby has been in the insurance business for 40 years and has been an Apple user for longer than that.You can catch up with him on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, but prefers Bluesky.

Eric Bolden is into macOS, plants, sci-fi, food, and is a rural internet supporter. You can connect with him on Twitter, by email at embolden@mac.com, on Mastodon at @eabolden@techhub.social, on his blog, Trending At Work, and as co-host on The Vision ProFiles podcast.

Brian Flanigan-Arthurs is an educator with a passion for providing results-driven, innovative learning strategies for all students, but particularly those who are at-risk. He is also a tech enthusiast who has a particular affinity for Apple since he first used the Apple IIGS as a student. You can contact Brian on twitter as @brian8944. He also recently opened a Mastodon account at @brian8944@mastodon.cloud.

Mark Fuccio is actively involved in high tech startup companies, both as a principle at piqsure.com, or as a marketing advisor through his consulting practice Tactics Sells High Tech, Inc. Mark was a proud investor in Microsoft from the mid-1990's selling in mid 2000, and hopes one day that MSFT will be again an attractive investment. You can contact Mark through Twitter, LinkedIn, or on Mastodon.

Jeff Gamet is a technology blogger, podcaster, author, and public speaker. Previously, he was The Mac Observer's Managing Editor, and the TextExpander Evangelist for Smile. He has presented at Macworld Expo, RSA Conference, several WordCamp events, along with many other conferences. You can find him on several podcasts such as The Mac Show, The Big Show, MacVoices, Ma