The Super Bowl is known for its high-profile, often groundbreaking, advertisements. This year, OpenAI found itself unintentionally in the spotlight, not for a real ad, but for a cleverly fabricated one. As the game neared its end, rumors swirled about a 'leaked' OpenAI commercial featuring actor Alexander Skarsgård. The supposed leak originated from a now-deleted Reddit thread, painting a picture of a disgruntled employee lamenting the ad's cancellation.

The post included screenshots that appeared to show Skarsgård interacting with a shiny orb and wraparound earbuds, leading to speculation about OpenAI's potential foray into hardware. The internet quickly jumped on the bandwagon, with many believing this was a sneak peek at OpenAI's first consumer device. However, the excitement was short-lived.

It soon became apparent that the entire 'leak' was a well-executed hoax. OpenAI president Greg Brockman even commented on X (formerly Twitter), likely to debunk the fabricated ad. While the source of the hoax remains unknown, the incident highlights the ease with which misinformation can spread online, especially during events as widely viewed as the Super Bowl. The fake ad cleverly played on the existing buzz around OpenAI and its innovative AI technologies.

The incident serves as a reminder to approach online information with a healthy dose of skepticism, especially when it comes to unverified leaks. While many hoped to get a glimpse into OpenAI's future plans, this particular instance proved to be nothing more than a creative fabrication. OpenAI has yet to officially announce any hardware plans, so the shiny orb and earbuds remain firmly in the realm of speculation and internet hoaxes. The real question is: how long before we see genuine AI-powered devices hitting the market?