Annie Leibovitz Photographs Sam Altman in Homage to Caspar David Friedrich for Vanity Fair

Annie Leibovitz captured OpenAI CEO Sam Altman for the cover of Vanity Fair's New Establishment issue, according to PetaPixel. Altman ranked first on the list, outpacing notable individuals such as the Kushners and Mayor Mamdani, thanks to his prominent role in artificial intelligence. The cover portrays Altman with his hands on his hips, looking out over the Bay Area bluffs. Artsy noted that Leibovitz seems to draw inspiration from Caspar David Friedrich's 1818 artwork Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog, which features a figure atop a rocky ledge surveying a foggy expanse. This theme of introspection resonates with Altman, who leads a technology that raises concerns; he has admitted there is a "non-zero" chance that AI could be humanity's final invention. Leibovitz has previously referenced classic artists, including photographing Salma Hayek as Frida Kahlo for Vogue in 2002 and recreating iconic pieces with Jessica Chastain in 2013.