Daily — July 8, 2026

AI actor Tilly Norwood's first feature lead, Microsoft's licensing deal with Nine, Suno's senior hires.

• [San Francisco Chronicle] AI Actor 'Tilly Norwood' Lands First Feature Lead ↗

  The AI-generated actor 'Tilly Norwood' will lead the feature film 'Misaligned.' The producers drew a line, saying they use AI as a creative tool without replacing actors, but performer unions and the wider industry keep debating how far AI actors should go. It stands out as a case where an AI character sits at the center of a film's IP.

• [The Australian] Microsoft Signs an AI Content Licensing Deal with Australia's Nine ↗

  Microsoft has signed a deal with the Australian media company Nine Entertainment to license news content for Copilot. AI can use article headlines and summaries while full text stays behind the existing paid subscription, a commercial model built on copyright. It shows AI search and training services increasingly striking licensing deals with news publishers.

• [Music Business Worldwide] Suno Hires Ex-Atlantic Records and YouTube Veterans ↗

  The AI music company Suno has brought on former YouTube and Atlantic Records figures for senior roles. They will lead business development and artist marketing, a sign that Suno is moving fast to recruit music-industry talent. Beyond the technology, it is building industry relationships and marketing muscle.