Xicoia, world’s first AI talent studio, launches to promote digital stars

Eline van der Velden, founder of AI production company Particle6, announced the launch of Xicoia, billed as the world’s first AI talent studio, during her keynote at the Zurich Film Festivaladvanced-television. The studio creates hyperreal digital stars with complete backstories, distinct voices, and evolving personalities using proprietary “DeepFame” technologyadvanced-television.

Talent agents are now in discussions to represent Tilly Norwood, Xicoia’s inaugural AI actress who has soft-launched on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, marking a potential first for AI talent representationdeadline. Van der Velden noted a dramatic industry shift, with studios moving from dismissing AI in February to actively seeking collaboration by Maydeadline.

The studio plans to scale to over 40 AI personas operating within a shared universe where character storylines interconnect, while also working with Hollywood stars to create younger versions of themselves and collaborating with estates to resurrect legendary performersadvanced-television. Xicoia will expand into films, TV, podcasts, brand campaigns, video games, and direct fan interactionsdeadline.

Industry insiders reveal that major studios are quietly embracing AI technology behind closed doors due to non-disclosure agreements, with significant public announcements expected in early 2026deadline. Van der Velden believes “the next generation of cultural icons will be synthetic: stars that never tire, never age, and can interact with fans”advanced-television.

Particle6 founder and CEO Eline van der Velden announced the launch of Xicoia, billed as the world’s first AI talent studio, during her keynote address at the Zurich Film Festival this weekend. The new venture, designed to create and monetize hyperreal digital stars, represents a significant step forward in AI-driven entertainment as talent agents reportedly circle to represent the studio’s first AI actress.advanced-television

Xicoia operates separately from van der Velden’s AI production company Particle6, utilizing proprietary “DeepFame” technology to develop emotionally intelligent AI personas with complete backstories, distinct voices, and evolving narrative arcs. Unlike static avatars, these AI characters can engage in unscripted conversations, respond to trends in real time, and adapt their tone for different platform audiences.deadline

Studios Quietly Embrace AI Technology

The launch comes as entertainment industry insiders reveal a marked shift in studio attitudes toward AI technology. Van der Velden disclosed during Saturday’s Zurich Summit panel that talent agents are now in discussions to represent Tilly Norwood, Xicoia’s inaugural AI actress who soft-launched on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. “We were in numerous boardrooms around February, and everyone dismissed it, saying ‘No this is not going to happen.’ By May, however, the sentiment shifted to ‘We need to collaborate with you guys,'” van der Velden stated.deadline

Verena Puhm from Luma’s Dream Lab, who participated in the same panel, confirmed that major companies and studios are working on AI-assisted projects behind closed doors due to non-disclosure agreements. Industry observers expect significant public announcements about AI projects in early 2026.deadline

Regulatory Landscape and Business Model

Xicoia’s launch occurs amid growing state-level regulation of AI in entertainment. California’s AB 2602 and AB 1836, effective January 1, 2025, require performer consent for digital replicas and protect deceased personalities from unauthorized AI recreation. Tennessee’s ELVIS Act provides similar protections.dglaw

The studio plans to scale to over 40 AI personas operating within a shared universe, where events in one character’s life impact others. Beyond wholly-owned AI talent, Xicoia is collaborating with Hollywood stars seeking to appear as younger versions of themselves and working with estates to resurrect legendary performers.advanced-television

Van der Velden emphasized the venture’s broader implications: “We believe the next generation of cultural icons will be synthetic: stars that never tire, never age, and can interact with fans.”advanced-television