# Film director says OpenAI workers helped shape new AI movie

Digest AI · Society & Work · published 2026-10-13T07:46:00Z

Canonical: https://digestai.news/story/film-director-says-openai-workers-helped-shape-new-ai-movie

## Summary

Simon Rich, director of *Artificial*, revealed AI industry employees assisted in creating his new film about OpenAI’s rise. The movie, which premiered at the London Film Festival, includes scenes inspired by a friend’s 2022 encounter with an early ChatGPT prototype. Rich confirmed a research team and experts from the AI sector contributed to authenticity, citing verbatim tweets and time-stamped references to ensure accuracy.

Critics praised the film as a ‘chilling’ portrayal of AI’s dangers, though OpenAI’s Sam Altman called it ‘an awful movie’ after seeing the trailer. Rich defended the film’s realism, stating no composite characters were used. *Artificial* opens in UK cinemas at the end of January.

## Key points

- Director Simon Rich says AI industry workers helped verify *Artificial*’s accuracy during filming
- Film includes real tweets and time-stamped references to depict OpenAI’s rise truthfully
- OpenAI’s Sam Altman criticized the movie as ‘awful’ after the trailer, but Rich insists it’s ‘extremely accurate’

## Why it matters

The film’s behind-the-scenes collaboration with AI workers highlights how closely industry figures shape narratives about their own field, offering a rare insider perspective on OpenAI’s culture and controversies.

## Sources

1. [Artificial writer admits AI industry workers helped shape OpenAI film](https://cityam.com/artificial-writer-admits-ai-industry-workers-helped-shape-openai-film) (cityam.com, 2026-10-13)

## Cite

Digest AI, "Film director says OpenAI workers helped shape new AI movie", 13 October 2026, https://digestai.news/story/film-director-says-openai-workers-helped-shape-new-ai-movie

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