The AI world was captivated in November 2023 by the dramatic events surrounding OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, when CEO Sam Altman was suddenly fired by the board, only to be reinstated a mere five days later. This whirlwind of events exposed the power struggles and conflicting visions at the heart of the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence landscape. Now, this real-life Silicon Valley drama is set to be immortalized on screen in a new film tentatively titled "Artificial".
Amazon MGM Studios is developing "Artificial," a comedic drama that promises a "biting, satirical examination of the cutthroat world of AI." Luca Guadagnino, known for his diverse filmography ranging from "Call Me By Your Name" to "Challengers," is in talks to direct, bringing his distinctive aesthetic and storytelling to the project. Simon Rich, known for his satirical writing, penned the screenplay and will serve as a producer.
The film will reportedly focus on the five-day period in November 2023 when Altman was ousted from OpenAI due to a "lack of trust" and concerns that he "was not consistently candid in his communications with the board." The board also cited disagreements over the pace of commercialization versus safety considerations as a factor. This decision sent shockwaves throughout the tech world, leaving many questioning the future of OpenAI.
In response to Altman's firing, over 700 OpenAI employees threatened to walk out, signing an open letter demanding his reinstatement. Key investors, including Microsoft, also pressured the board to reverse its decision. Ultimately, Altman was reinstated as CEO, and a new board was formed.
While plot details are still under wraps, "Artificial" is expected to explore the tensions between OpenAI's original mission of developing AI for the benefit of humanity and the growing pressure to generate profit. The film will likely delve into the ideological differences that led to Altman's ouster, as well as the power dynamics between the board, investors, and employees.
Casting for "Artificial" is reportedly underway, with Andrew Garfield in talks to play Sam Altman. Monica Barbaro is being considered for the role of Mira Murati, who briefly served as interim CEO during the leadership transition. Yura Borisov is reportedly in talks to portray Ilya Sutskever, the OpenAI co-founder and chief scientist who played a central role in Altman's removal.
The events at OpenAI in 2023 underscore the intense competition and high stakes in the AI industry. OpenAI is now countersuing Elon Musk, highlighting the shift from philosophical differences to a strategic fight for autonomy and market dominance. As generative AI models become more powerful, the pressure to commercialize, control, and lead is intensifying. OpenAI hopes that GPT-5 will allow them to compete more effectively with models such as Gemini 2.5 Pro and Claude 4.
"Artificial" promises to be a captivating and timely portrayal of the Silicon Valley culture, exploring the complex relationships, ethical dilemmas, and power struggles that shape the future of artificial intelligence. If done right, this film could become "The Social Network" of this generation—only funnier, weirder, and just a little bit smarter. Production is expected to begin this summer, with filming planned in San Francisco and Italy.
