The flag bearers of artificial intelligence are taking a step back in prompting it. What is turning out to be a dramatic shift in AI discourse is also drawing wide criticism online. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei is the latest public figure facing heat over his recent “AI slowdown” remarks as Anthropic recently launched the latest model Opus 5.5. Over the weekend, a popular US television show, Saturday Night Live (SNL), spoofed the AI leader during the Season 52 premiere, turning his AI warnings into a dark comedy sketch.
SNL cast member Jane Wickline played Amodei during the segment hosted by Michael Che. This sketch focused on the increasing tension between AI companies developing powerful technology and the warnings from some of their leaders about what may go wrong.
Wickline’s portrayal also copied Amodei’s recognisable appearance, including his curly hair and glasses. The character was presented as an uneasy CEO trying to tell viewers while repeatedly making his case for why AI is dangerous.
SNL’s Dario Amodei Says Lawmakers Could ‘Stop Me’
The parody began with Wickline’s Amodei addressing his recent warnings about AI. The character said that while his comments may have worried people, there was a way to control the technology.
“I may have been alarming in my recent interviews, but I want to assure you that if we can pressure lawmakers to create guardrails, we will be able to stop me,” the character said.
Things quickly became uncomfortable when Che asked how Anthropic could ensure that AI would not eventually harm humans. The fictional Amodei struggled to answer. “So, so, so, so, so, so, so, that’s a really hard question,” the character said. Che then pointed out that this should not be a difficult question for the CEO of an AI company.
Two Versions Of Dario Appear During The Sketch
The sketch then introduced one of its main jokes. Wickline’s Amodei appeared to have two different personalities. One version tried to act like a calm, media-trained technology executive. The other was presented as a darker version who appeared to say what the CEO was supposedly thinking.
As the character struggled with the interview, the media-trained version encouraged him, saying, “Come on, Dario, you can do this.” The darker version simply replied, “I know.”
The exchange eventually went off the rails when the fictional Amodei said, “AI is the devil, and I its maker.” Moreover, the character then tried to recover from the statement by bringing up other AI executives, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
“Look, Sam Altman, myself, all the major AI players, we have talked about this extensively, and we are all on the same page here,” the character said. When Che asked what that page said, the answer was hardly reassuring. “We do not condone what we are doing,” the fictional Amodei replied.
The sketch ended with the two versions of Amodei appearing to argue with each other. Additionally, the media-trained version told himself, “Land the plane, Dario.” The darker version responded, “I can’t.” The fictional Amodei then delivered the closing line of the segment, “AI is not a weapon, it’s a tool…. a tool for building weapons. And I urge you to urge me to stop.”