Amazon just can’t get rid of the Andrew Garfield-led movie Artificial fast enough, and it’s not alone.
The biopic, which tells the story of OpenAI co-founder and CEO Sam Altman, has been ditched by Amazon, and two major studios – Netflix and A24 – have declined to pick it up.
This isn’t the first time Amazon has passed on a high-profile movie. The streaming giant was initially set to distribute the film, but it seems they’re now backing away from it.
What led to Amazon’s change of heart?
The biopic’s storyline appears to be a major factor in Amazon’s decision. Artificial is based on the life of Sam Altman, who rose to prominence as the CEO of OpenAI. The company has been at the center of the AI debate, particularly with the release of its Llama 3 large language model.
As Amazon’s own AI efforts continue to unfold, it’s possible that the company is hesitant to associate itself with a biopic that could be perceived as promoting or glorifying the AI industry.
The potential risks of making an AI-themed movie
With the increasing scrutiny of AI’s impact on society, movie studios may be wary of investing in films that deal with the topic.
The release of movies like The Imitation Game and Ex Machina highlighted the need for responsible storytelling in the AI genre. If Artificial is seen as insensitive or tone-deaf, it could damage its chances of success in the market.
What this means
The rejection of Artificial by Amazon, Netflix, and A24 sends a clear signal that studios are carefully considering the risks and rewards of investing in AI-themed movies.
This hesitation could have broader implications for the film industry’s approach to AI storytelling in the future. As AI continues to shape our world, it’s essential for creators to think critically about the narratives they tell and the impact they could have on the public discourse.
For now, the fate of Artificial remains uncertain – but one thing is clear: the movie’s decision to tackle the complex world of AI has made it a risk too great for many major studios to take on.
