Tilly Norwood Raises Concerns About AI at Duffer Brothers’ Old Film School
Dodge College, the film school at Chapman University known for shaping industry icons like the Duffer brothers of Stranger Things, recently hosted a controversial guest: Tilly Norwood, an artificial intelligence “actress.” While the college routinely attracts figures such as Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos and actor Dwayne Johnson, Norwood’s presence has ignited debate within the student body and beyond.
Marketed as an AI actress, Norwood has become a focal point for discussions about the role of artificial intelligence in the entertainment industry. However, her scheduled talk on campus was met with disapproval. Promoted via Instagram, the event garnered nearly 1,300 comments, predominantly critical, from students and alumni at Dodge.
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Comments reflected the sentiment of many: one user described the initiative as “gross and irresponsible,” while another stated, “When is Dodge gonna learn we don’t want AI slop?” Yet another student urged the college to “do better.” Norwood, who is known for engaging with backlash, celebrated these reactions on her social media platforms, suggesting that her presence has brought deeper issues to the fore regarding the college’s burgeoning engagement with AI.
additionally, Dodge is offering grants totaling $40,000 for students who utilize AI with “originality, inspiration, and creativity.” While Galloway, a representative from the college, acknowledged the support of “generous donors,” the identity of these contributors remains undisclosed, prompting concerns about vested interests influencing the program. Chapman University has not provided information about the donors’ identities.
Wells Goltra, a senior in documentary film, voiced concerns regarding the grant’s implications: “It’s one thing to provide an option to learn about AI, but it’s another thing to incentivize and push students towards something detrimental to meaningful work.” An anonymous source echoed this sentiment, stating, “It seems to be spitting in the face of the industry that they are pushing these students into.”
In response to these concerns, a spokesperson for Chapman University emphasized a strategic and thoughtful approach to integrating AI in its academic and operational policies. They mentioned the formation of interdisciplinary groups exploring the potential impacts of AI, as well as a survey aimed at gathering perspectives from the entire university community.
The spokesperson added, “The reality is that AI is already part of our society and is a growing practice in numerous industries. In our pursuit of developing global citizens, we have a duty to expose our students to AI best practices and help them navigate it responsibly and ethically.” They also reiterated that the university values the creativity and ingenuity unique to human expression.
Despite institutional assurances, some students remain wary. In an article for Chapman’s The Panther Newspaper, film writing student Kiera Nusbaum captured the prevailing uncertainty. She remarked that students are questioning whether the school’s motives for incorporating AI are rooted in genuine innovation or merely aimed at generating controversy to provoke discussion.
