Whoopi Goldberg warns against AI actress Tilly Norwood

Whoopi Goldberg has voiced strong concerns about the growing use of artificial intelligence in entertainment, particularly in response to the rising popularity of AI-generated actress Tilly Norwood. Speaking during Monday’s episode of The View, the EGOT-winning actress criticized the industry’s embrace of virtual performers, warning that the trend threatens genuine human connection in storytelling.

“You won’t have any connection,” Goldberg said bluntly, addressing the audience. “What you’re suddenly up against is something generated from 5,000 other actors. It’s got Bette Davis’ attitude, Humphrey Bogart’s lips — and my humor,” she added, after cohost Alyssa Farah Griffin pointed it out.

Tilly Norwood, a virtual performer created using advanced AI, has drawn significant attention — and controversy — in recent weeks as agencies reportedly consider signing her. Goldberg noted that many human actors have called for a boycott of agencies representing AI performers. Studios, however, argue that Tilly is not intended to replace real actors but should be viewed as a creative innovation within a separate genre.

Goldberg, known for her roles in Ghost, Sister Act, and The Color Purple, pushed back on that narrative. “It’s a little bit of an unfair advantage,” she said. “We move differently. Our faces and bodies move differently. You can always tell us apart — at least for now.”

The 69-year-old actress expressed concern about the broader implications of AI across industries. “It’s not just about actors. AI is coming to every workplace,” she warned. “People already feel lonely and disconnected. If AI takes over, you’ll only be connected to your phone.”

Goldberg, who has previously voiced concerns about smart technology like Amazon Alexa, said she’s skeptical of AI in any form. “They tell you in science fiction — this is the future,” she said.

Tilly Norwood’s creator, Eline Van Der Velden, defended the project, stating that AI is a creative tool, not a human replacement. “Like many forms of art before her, she sparks conversation — and that in itself shows the power of creativity,” she said.