Gwyneth Paltrow responds to backlash over reported private dinner for Sam Altman

Some social media users describing the reported dinner as "tone-deaf" and comparing it to an episode of 'Black Mirror'

Gwyneth Paltrow is responding to the backlash surrounding a reported private dinner she is expected to host for OpenAI CEO Sam Altman at her Hamptons home, choosing to poke fun at the criticism rather than address it seriously.

The controversy began after Puck reported that Paltrow would host a "private, off-the-record al fresco dinner" for Altman at her home in Amagansett, New York, on August 29. The reported gathering quickly drew criticism online, with some social media users describing the event as "tone-deaf" and comparing it to an episode of Black Mirror.

Rather than directly responding to the criticism, Paltrow appeared to embrace the joke. On Thursday, the Goop founder shared mock versions of the invitation that had been published by Puck, replacing Altman with fictional and pop-culture characters including Shrek, M3GAN, Jessica Rabbit and Samantha Jones from Sex and the City.

"We're serving swordfish burritos, cheddar foam lattes on request," Paltrow joked in the caption.

The reported dinner is expected to bring Altman together with guests in an intimate setting, although neither Paltrow nor OpenAI has publicly confirmed that the gathering will take place. Representatives for both Paltrow and OpenAI did not immediately respond to Entertainment Weekly's request for comment.

Paltrow's reported involvement with Altman also comes as she has increasingly engaged with the technology industry. Earlier this year, she interviewed Trae Stephens, co-founder of AI weapons manufacturer Anduril, for her Goop podcast.

During that conversation, Paltrow also discussed political differences within her marriage to Brad Falchuk. She described herself as "pretty centrist" and said Falchuk considers her a Republican, although she said she does not identify as one and considers herself independent.

The dinner has attracted particular attention because of Altman's position at the centre of the rapidly expanding artificial intelligence industry. OpenAI has become one of the most influential companies in the technology sector, while debates around AI's impact on work, culture, privacy and society have made Altman a frequent subject of public scrutiny.

For now, the dinner remains a reported event rather than a publicly confirmed one. Paltrow's response, however, suggests she is aware of the online reaction and has chosen to treat the criticism with humour rather than offer a detailed explanation of the gathering.