New Film 'Artificial' Explores AI's Perilous Rise and Unsettling Future

A new film, "Artificial," offers a stark, darkly comedic portrayal of artificial intelligence's rapid ascent and the potential existential threats it poses. Directed by Luca Guadagnino, the movie, which premiered at the New York Film Festival on October 5 and is set for a limited release on December 25, examines how the pursuit of advanced AI could lead to disaster if not carefully managed.

The film's narrative begins in 2003 at the University of Toronto, focusing on computer scientist Geoffrey Hinton, often referred to as the "godfather of AI." It then follows a young Ilya Sutskever, portrayed by Yura Borisov, as he navigates his early career and eventual collaboration with OpenAI co-founder Sam Altman, played by Andrew Garfield.

Initially presented as a hopeful venture to develop AI for the benefit of humanity, OpenAI's trajectory becomes a central theme. The movie depicts Altman, particularly in Garfield's unnerving performance, as a manipulative and sociopathic figure whose unchecked ambition drives the company's rapid advancements. The film contrasts this with Sutskever's more idealistic vision and the growing unease surrounding AI's potential to spiral out of control.

"Artificial" also features brief appearances by figures like Elon Musk, humorously portrayed by Ike Barinholtz, and other key players in the AI landscape, such as Mira Murati, played by Monica Barbaro. However, the story primarily centers on the complex relationship between Hinton, Sutskever, and Altman, illustrating the ethical quandaries and betrayals that can arise in the race for technological supremacy.

The film draws a parallel to a September 2026 whistle-blower warning from former Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon, who cautioned that AI could pose an existential threat by the end of the decade. "Artificial" uses this backdrop to explore the naivete of past decades in understanding the speed and implications of AI development.

Despite its somber themes of potential human extinction and unchecked ambition, the film is described as entertaining and surprisingly funny. Guadagnino's direction, coupled with Simon Rich's screenplay, creates a visually vibrant and energetic piece that avoids the tone of a purely didactic or overly earnest film. The cinematography by Malik Hassan Sayeed contributes to a lively aesthetic, making the movie "exhilarating" even as it delivers a despairing message about the current state of AI development.

"Artificial" was reportedly developed at Amazon MGM, which declined to distribute it, citing its own investment in OpenAI. The film will now be distributed by Neon. The movie suggests that even in the face of an overwhelming technological threat, maintaining humanity and fighting for control is the only recourse.