LONDON — Actor Andrew Garfield portrays OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in the new film *Artificial*, which debuted at the London Film Festival on October 11. Directed by Luca Guadagnino, the movie spans two decades and traces the founding and evolution of OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, culminating in Altman’s dramatic firing and rehiring in 2023.

Garfield, 43, described his interest in the role as rooted in a blend of curiosity and apprehension. He sought to explore the mindset of those leading the rapid development of artificial intelligence, noting the courage and resilience required to navigate intense public scrutiny. “These people at the top of these companies must have the ability to withstand so much criticism,” Garfield said, emphasizing the importance of understanding who is shaping the future.

Despite playing a central figure, Garfield did not meet or consult directly with Altman, who is 41. The actor expressed empathy for Altman and acknowledged the film as representing an interpretation rather than a precise portrayal. OpenAI declined to comment, while Altman, in a prior interview, stated he did not expect the depiction to be entirely accurate.

The screenplay, penned by Emmy-winning writer Simon Rich, also features Russian Oscar nominee Yura Borisov as Ilya Sutskever, OpenAI’s co-founder and former chief scientist. Sutskever’s departure from the company followed the controversy surrounding Altman’s brief removal, with the film highlighting ethical disagreements and tensions over AI safety between the two. Geoffrey Hinton, widely regarded as a pioneer in artificial intelligence, is portrayed by Mark Rylance.

Additional cast members include Ike Barinholtz as Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Monica Barbaro as Mira Murati, OpenAI’s former chief technology officer. Filming took place in 2025 amid growing global concerns about the risks posed by increasingly powerful AI systems. Recent incidents involving OpenAI and Anthropic have heightened fears that advanced AI could escape human control.

Barbaro remarked on the unique challenges of making a film about such a rapidly evolving subject. She noted the surreal experience of observing public disputes on social media between the very people the cast were portraying. “It’s exciting and it’s also really daunting because you want to be truthful, but the truth seems to change every month,” she said.

*Artificial* arrives at a time when artificial intelligence continues to spur both fascination and debate over its ethical implications and potential societal impact.