Los angeles: The US labor union representing actors and media professionals is pushing back against the introduction of 'Tilly Norwood,' an artificial intelligence-generated character that is reportedly seeking industry representation, saying the move threatens the livelihoods of human performers.

According to Anadolu Agency, Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), in a statement on Tuesday, said creativity 'should remain human-centered' and declared its opposition to 'the replacement of human performers by synthetics.'

The union emphasized that 'Tilly Norwood' is not an actor but a character generated by a computer program trained on the work of countless professional performers, without permission or compensation. It stated that this entity lacks life experience, emotion, and authenticity, which are crucial elements that resonate with audiences.

SAG-AFTRA expressed concerns that such technology could lead to the use of stolen performances, putting actors out of work, jeopardizing performer livelihoods, and devaluing human artistry. The union reiterated that signatory producers are contractually obligated to notify and bargain with SAG-AFTRA before employing synthetic performers.

This announcement arises amid ongoing discussions in Hollywood regarding AI's role in entertainment, following labor disputes and strikes in 2023 that underscored issues of digital replication and performer rights.