Terry Ito Column Vol. 77: The AI ​​Actress Has Arrived

According to the Yomiuri Shimbun, a controversy is brewing in the US and UK entertainment industries. The issue concerns an AI-generated "fictional actress." The creator claims that several talent agencies are interested, but real actors are expressing concerns. A British AI video production company created the actress using 10 different tools, including ChatGPT, and she has been appearing on Instagram since May, becoming quite popular. I also checked her out online and was surprised at how realistic she looked. She has action scenes and can be seen in private-style shots, and she seems to be quite likable. British actress Emily Brand expressed her concern about the entry of this AI actress, Tilly Norwood, into the industry, telling Variety magazine, "We're finished." Furthermore, the Screen Actors Guild, to which Hollywood actors belong, criticized the idea, saying, "AI actresses have no life experience or emotions, and audiences won't be interested. They will only put actors out of work, threaten their livelihoods, and diminish human artistry." Of course, there is some truth to that. However, in the past, humans, AI actors, monsters, and animals have co-starred in many special effects films, and Hollywood has produced many popular works using this method. The value of AI actors will ultimately depend on the scriptwriter, director, and audience.

For example, if an AI actress were to portray the pain of birth, the struggles of navigating human relationships, or the loneliness of not having a family, and a film that evokes tears was produced, public opinion would change, and the status of AI actors would rise. If that happened, character merchandise like the bobblehead dolls of Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers would be released. Teenagers to Gen Z, in particular, are accustomed to using chat applications like GPT, so they wouldn't feel any resistance to it; in fact, they might find it more approachable than talking to a real person. As chat technology evolves further, in the near future, it might even be possible to contact an AI actress's agency and receive a password for a special, private conversation with her at a special price. It would be like going on a date with a Hollywood AI actress.

AI actresses don't catch colds. They don't complain or whine. They don't age. Or so it seems. But I have a feeling that in the future, we'll see AI actresses who get sick, suffer from their beauty, grow old, and eventually die—a melancholic AI actress. They'll use the criticism that they "lack life experience and emotions" to their advantage and continue to play roles. In the popular boxing manga "Tomorrow's Joe," after the match between the protagonist Yabuki Joe and his arch-rival Rikiishi Toru, Rikiishi died from excessive weight loss, bringing tears to the eyes of the whole nation. A month later, a grand funeral was held, becoming a social phenomenon. Furthermore, the scene in Joe's final match where he couldn't even stand and burned up like ash on the corner post is still talked about today. In reality, it's up to humans whether AI actresses thrive or fail. The near future is heading towards a more exciting era.

Terry Ito (director)

Born in Tsukiji, Tokyo in 1949. After attending Waseda Jitsugyo Junior and Senior High School, he graduated from Nihon University's School of Economics.
In March 2023, he completed the Master's program at the Graduate School of Media and Governance at Keio University.
He joined the television production company IVS Television, where he worked on variety shows such as "Tensai Takeshi's Genki ga Deru TV" and "Neruton Benikujidan."
He then went independent and worked on planning and directing a number of television programs, including TV Tokyo's "Asakusabashi Young Clothing Store."
His book "Comedy North Korea" became a bestseller, and he subsequently made numerous media appearances under the name Terry Ito.
In addition to his work as a director, he is also active in a variety of fields as a producer, entertainer, and commentator.
YouTube channelTerry Ito's Comedy Backdrop'
Currently writing a column in LALALA USA
https://lalalausa.com/archives/category/column/terry