Production of Artificial film about OpenAI

Luca Guadagnino is directing a film titled ‘Artificial’ which dramatizes the history of OpenAI, including the 2023 leadership crisis involving CEO Sam Altman. The film features Andrew Garfield as Altman and Ike Barinholtz as Elon Musk, with a narrative spanning from early research in 2003 to the founding of the company in 2015.

During production, a dispute emerged regarding a purported encounter between Altman and Garfield. Altman told Vanity Fair that he saw an actor dressed exactly like him while walking near his San Francisco home and stated that the two exchanged waves. Garfield denied the interaction in an interview with GQ, stating, “I wasn’t there.” Garfield noted that while filming occurred near the residence, he was told the executive was not home and only saw security personnel. He suggested Altman may have mistaken someone else for him and confirmed he was not using a body double. An OpenAI representative maintained that the encounter did occur.

At a Q&A at the Academy Museum in Los Angeles, Garfield discussed his portrayal of Altman. He described a period of deep admiration for the executive, noting that his initial impression was shaped by Altman’s congressional testimony regarding AI transparency, risks, and his lack of equity in OpenAI. Garfield characterized Altman as appearing “altruistic and courageous,” specifically regarding his identity as an openly gay tech leader. While discussing the film, Garfield expressed concerns about the future of human autonomy in the face of advancing technology.