Andrew Garfield found portraying OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to be an unexpectedly challenging role, one that forced him to grapple with the psychology of one of tech's most polarizing figures. In the upcoming drama Artificial, directed by Italian filmmaker Luca Guadagnino, Garfield steps into the shoes of Altman during the five-day corporate saga in November 2023 when the CEO was abruptly fired and then rehired by OpenAI's board. The role required Garfield to immerse himself in scripts, court transcripts, and interviews to understand the man behind the headlines.

What Made Playing Sam Altman So Difficult for Andrew Garfield?

Garfield's experience preparing for the role went beyond typical character research. The actor studied multiple dimensions of Altman's personality and decision-making during one of the most turbulent periods in OpenAI's history. According to reports, Garfield expressed relief when filming wrapped, saying "Thank God That's Over" about the experience. This reaction hints at the emotional and intellectual toll of inhabiting such a complex, high-stakes character.

Garfield

The actor has been candid about his fascination with Altman's psychology, particularly what he perceives as Altman's ability to compartmentalize. Garfield suggested that Altman must possess "a certain ability to dissociate," implying that the CEO operates with a level of emotional detachment that allowed him to navigate the crisis surrounding his ouster and return. This psychological dimension became central to how Garfield approached the role.

Garfield

How Did Garfield Prepare to Capture Altman's Character?

• Documentary Research: Garfield used scripts, court transcripts, and recorded interviews to build a comprehensive understanding of Altman's public statements and private motivations during the November 2023 crisis.
• Psychological Analysis: The actor focused on understanding Altman's emotional landscape, including his capacity for dissociation and how he maintained composure during the board's decision to remove him.
• Public Record Study: Garfield examined how Altman presented himself to the media and the public during the rehiring announcement, looking for inconsistencies between his public persona and potential private thoughts.

The film itself marks a notable shift for director Guadagnino, who has built a reputation for R-rated dramas over nearly two decades. Artificial received a PG-13 rating from the Motion Picture Association, primarily for "some strong language," breaking Guadagnino's long streak of mature-rated films.

What Does Garfield's Critique Reveal About OpenAI's Impact?

Beyond the technical challenges of portraying Altman, Garfield has been vocal about his concerns regarding OpenAI's broader mission and impact. The actor has suggested that OpenAI's work may be causing "damage to the soul of humanity," a stark assessment that reflects growing concerns among cultural figures about artificial intelligence's societal implications. This perspective adds another layer to Garfield's performance, suggesting he brought not just technical skill but also moral questioning to the role.

The timing of Artificial's release comes as OpenAI itself is taking a more proactive stance on AI governance. The company recently launched a Strategic Futures team led by Dean Ball, a former Senior Policy Advisor for AI at the White House's Office of Science and Technology Policy. This team is tasked with exploring how society should be restructured to preserve individual rights and agency as transformative AI becomes more powerful.

"We are a small team with the collective goal of answering one overarching question: how should free society be restructured to preserve individual rights and agency while accommodating the emergence of transformative AI?" said Dean Ball, Head of Strategic Futures at OpenAI.

Dean Ball, Head of Strategic Futures, OpenAI

The Strategic Futures team's work underscores a critical tension that Garfield's portrayal may illuminate: the gap between Altman's public vision for AI and the complex human and societal dynamics that shape OpenAI's decisions. The team, consisting of six policy professionals and technical researchers, is exploring how autonomous systems and machine intelligence could reshape the relationship between institutions and individuals, potentially stripping citizens of economic leverage if power becomes concentrated in the hands of those controlling AI infrastructure.

Garfield's struggle with the role ultimately reflects a broader cultural moment. As AI becomes increasingly central to society, the figures who lead AI companies like OpenAI are themselves becoming subjects of intense scrutiny and artistic interpretation. The actor's candid admission that playing Altman was grueling suggests that understanding these tech leaders requires grappling with uncomfortable truths about ambition, power, and the human cost of transformative technological change.