New Platform Lets Actors License Their Digital Likeness, Sparking Industry Debate

A new platform called Twinnin, which allows actors to create and license a digital clone of their face, launched today with backing from Google and Nvidia. Founder Katrien Grobler positions the service as a tool for performers to own and monetize their identity in an era of generative AI, calling it a necessary assertion of rights in a digital age. For an annual fee of $14.99, actors can list their likeness; studios or brands pay between $499 and $1,200 monthly for access.

The reaction across the UK film and TV industry has been mixed. While some agencies see it as a pragmatic step, the promotion of Twinnin to clients of one agency, Lacara—which represents many child actors—triggered significant concern. The Agents of Young Performers Association warned of serious ethical questions regarding consent and safeguarding for minors, urging parents to avoid such platforms for now. Grobler responded that access to minors' likenesses is restricted to the highest subscription tier and involves direct human oversight.

The actors' union Equity offered a measured response, noting the emergence of such tools highlights a demand for protection that formal regulations have yet to address. As similar services appear, the debate underscores a persistent tension: the push to commercialize AI tools against the urgent need to establish clear, enforceable protections for human creators.

Source: Deadline