Tags: entertainment industry

ByteDance introduced Seedance 2.0, a powerful AI video model that quickly captured attention in China’s AI community. Access remains limited to domestic users of the company’s AI apps, and the model is priced at just over $2 for a 15‑second clip. Early adopters report long queues and hours‑long wait times, even for paid subscribers, as the company struggles to allocate enough GPU resources. At the same time, major Hollywood studios have issued cease‑and‑desist letters alleging copyright infringement in the model’s outputs. Chinese creators and filmmakers have praised the technology, highlighting a stark contrast with reactions in the United States. Lire la suite

New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed the RAISE Act, a law aimed at holding large artificial intelligence developers accountable for model safety. The legislation requires companies to disclose safety protocols and report incidents within 72 hours, while establishing fines of up to $1 million for a first violation and $3 million for subsequent breaches. An oversight office within the Department of Financial Services will monitor compliance and issue annual reports. The governor also approved two additional AI measures targeting the entertainment sector, even as President Trump pushes for a national, less burdensome standard. Lire la suite

The Walt Disney Company and OpenAI have announced a partnership that licenses hundreds of Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars characters for use in OpenAI’s generative AI tools, including ChatGPT’s image generator and the Sora video platform. Disney will also invest in OpenAI, gaining a seat at the table as the AI firm navigates regulatory and safety issues. While the deal promises new creative possibilities for fans, it also raises questions about brand protection, content moderation, and the impact on traditional animation talent. Lire la suite

Disney is testing an artificial‑intelligence animation tool from startup Animaj as part of its Disney Accelerator program. The technology, called motion in‑betweening, lets animators sketch key poses while AI fills in the intermediate frames, cutting production time dramatically. Disney executives said the partnership could be announced in the coming months, and the company emphasized that the AI works under the direct control of human artists. The move reflects a broader industry push to use generative AI to speed content creation while preserving artistic style. Lire la suite

Channel 4 introduced Britain’s first AI‑generated TV presenter during the documentary *Will AI Take My Job? Dispatches*. The AI host revealed its synthetic nature in the closing moments, prompting viewers to liken the stunt to an episode of *Black Mirror*. Channel 4 emphasized that the experiment is not a new editorial practice and reaffirmed its commitment to fact‑checked, impartial journalism. The move has ignited debate about AI’s role in media, the ease of deceiving audiences, and the broader implications for talent and content creation in the entertainment industry. Lire la suite

OpenAI’s new Sora 2 AI video tool has sparked a public confrontation with major Hollywood talent agencies. Agencies such as Creative Artists Agency argue that the technology threatens performers’ likeness rights and compensation, especially through its Cameo feature that can place a celebrity into AI‑generated clips. OpenAI has responded by outlining safeguards, including permission requirements for public figures and a process for estates to request removal of deceased individuals. The dispute highlights the clash between rapid AI innovation and the entertainment industry’s long‑standing emphasis on licensing, consent, and creator rights. Lire la suite

Digital actress Tilly Norwood, created by AI firm Particle 6, has drawn fierce criticism from Hollywood after the company announced plans to secure traditional representation for the virtual performer. CEO Eline Van der Velden described the project as “a piece of art,” but actors such as Melissa Barrera warned that AI talent threatens human careers. Particle 6 is also launching a new agency, Xicoia, to manage AI creations, intensifying the debate over whether artificial characters should be judged on their own merits or compared directly with human performers. Lire la suite

Tilly Norwood, an AI‑generated persona promoted by Particle6, has ignited a heated discussion about the nature of synthetic actors. While the model’s creators tout her as a new type of cultural icon, industry professionals argue that labeling her an "actress" misleads audiences and threatens human performers. The controversy highlights broader concerns about anthropomorphizing AI, the blurring of reality in video content, and the ethical implications of using AI‑crafted characters in entertainment and advertising. Lire la suite

Tilly Norwood, a London‑based Instagram personality with about 40,000 followers, is not a real person but an AI‑generated character created by Xicoia, the AI division of production company Particle6. Founder Eline Van der Velden introduced Norwood at the Zurich Film Festival and is seeking an agent for the synthetic performer. The concept has sparked strong reactions, including a startled comment from actress Emily Blunt and a firm opposition from SAG‑AFTRA, which warned that synthetic performers threaten human artistry and livelihoods. Van der Velden defended Norwood as a piece of art, while industry unions call for contractual safeguards as AI tools like OpenAI’s Sora 2 advance. Lire la suite

The debut of Tilly Norwood, an AI‑crafted performer created by the AI talent studio Xicoia, has ignited a heated debate in Hollywood. While creator Eline Van der Velden argues the digital character should be judged on its own merits, actors such as Emily Blunt and Whoopi Goldberg have warned that AI actors threaten the authenticity of human performance. Industry insiders fear the technology could lead to broader AI‑driven productions, prompting calls for caution and a reassessment of how AI fits into the entertainment ecosystem. Lire la suite

The creator of AI actress Tilly Norberg, Particle6, faced criticism from Hollywood actors after suggesting the digital performer could be represented by an agent. CEO Eline Van Der Velden defended the technology as a piece of art, not a human substitute, and announced the spin‑off of an AI‑focused agency called Xicoia. The debate touches on labor agreements, AI training on copyrighted work, and the broader question of whether AI characters belong to a separate genre. Particle6 maintains that Xicoia will manage AI talent while traditional representation remains available when appropriate. Lire la suite

Warner Bros. Discovery has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against the AI image generator Midjourney, joining Disney and Universal in legal actions against the company. The complaint alleges that Midjourney allows users to create images featuring protected characters such as Batman, Scooby Doo and Bugs Bunny, and that the firm knowingly facilitated piracy despite awareness of the issue. Warner Bros. claims Midjourney removed and later reinstated restrictions on video generation and updated its terms to block safety testing. The case highlights growing tensions between the entertainment industry and AI developers over the use of copyrighted material. Lire la suite