OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is being accused of interpreting and reacting to films in a way that starkly contrasts with general viewer takeaways, inducing tech community backlash. Critics argue Altman did not comprehend the cautionary messages embedded in certain films about technology, and instead used them as misguided inspiration.
This controversy began when Altman unsuccessfully attempted to hire actress Scarlett Johansson to voice OpenAI’s latest AI voice assistant in what many believe was an aim to replicate the dystopian film ‘Her’. Despite the movie’s intention to serve as a warning about future reliance on artificial intelligence, Altman seemed to see it as a blueprint.
Critics also pull evidence from Altman’s misinterpretation of other films, such as Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’, David Fincher’s ‘The Social Network’, and Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid’. With ‘Oppenheimer’, Altman tweeted his disappointment that the film didn’t inspire more children to pursue physics, missing the movie’s deeper moral dilemma regarding the creation of the atomic bomb. Meanwhile, he lauded ‘The Social Network’ for allegedly inspiring startup founders, seemingly ignoring the storyline centered around betrayal and deceit. The parallel drawn between ‘The Little Mermaid’ and Altman’s pursuit of Johansson’s voice for his AI model, likening him to villain Ursula, add to the criticisms.
These apparent misinterpretations have led many to believe Altman not only missed the messages of these films but also ignored cautionary tales about excessive technology reliance. Their concerns are heightened by the support Altman has received from other influential figures in the tech world, such as Elon Musk. The worry is that these misinterpretations could dangerously influence their decisions as leaders in the realm of artificial intelligence.
Whether Altman is intentionally using these films as unlikely sources of inspiration or simply not understanding their messages, his approach has drawn attention and criticism. It reinforces debates about the responsibilities and potential risks that come with the rapid technological advances taking place within Silicon Valley and beyond.
