OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has singled out French President Emmanuel Macron as the world leader whose approach to artificial intelligence has impressed him most, praising the president's attention to where the technology is heading.

In an interview for Decoded by POLITICO, senior tech reporter Brendan Bordelon asked which leader had stood out to him for their AI policies or plans.

“The person that came to mind as you were saying that is the French president,” Sam replied.

“I think [Macron] is extremely thoughtful and has been for a long time about where this is going and what the shape of it needs to look like,” he added.

The remarks appeared in Monday's debut edition of the technology newsletter and its accompanying daily podcast. Sam's answer focused on Emmanuel's approach to AI policy and its future development.

France's AI agenda faces a political transition

The endorsement comes as Emmanuel approaches the end of his second presidential term. France's next presidential election is scheduled for April 2027, and he cannot seek a third consecutive term.

His AI agenda has included support for French developer Mistral and efforts to put safety on the international agenda. Next month, he is due to host the Paris Peace Forum, with a focus on AI safety and the risks technology presents to children and teenagers.

POLITICO's reporting also outlines a different approach from Marine Le Pen's National Rally party. Three senior party officials described plans for AI deregulation, alongside a push to reduce reliance on foreign technology companies.

Proposals under consideration include a sovereign wealth fund to support French technology businesses such as OVH and Mistral, and preferences for domestic companies in public contracts. Those remain proposals, rather than measures already in force.

Altman's public profile also reaches the screen

Sam is also being portrayed in Artificial, Luca Guadagnino's new drama about the development of AI. Film at Lincoln Center's festival listing identifies Andrew Garfield as Sam and Yura Borisov as OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever.

The 140-minute film is part of the 64th New York Film Festival and is a NEON release. Its story begins with Ilya studying artificial neural networks in 2003, before following his later encounter with Sam and the emergence of OpenAI.

The cast also includes Mark Rylance as Geoffrey Hinton, with a screenplay by Simon Rich. The festival lists screenings on October 6 and October 11.