During this year’s Super Bowl, OpenAI found itself in the eye of an unexpected controversy that buzzed across the internet community. It wasn’t because of a groundbreaking TV commercial, but instead, a convincing hoax left people scratching their heads. As the game drew to a close, the social media airwaves sparkled with whispers of an alleged “leaked” OpenAI commercial. The speculation was fueled by a supposed last-minute pull of the commercial that featured none other than Alexander Skarsgård showcasing what appeared to be OpenAI’s very first hardware product.
The drama can be traced back to a since-deleted Reddit thread where a self-proclaimed distraught OpenAI employee vented about the cancellation of their team’s work. They went ahead to share what seemed to be the full commercial. The world watched a sleek futuristic orb coupled with wraparound earbuds, instantly sparking speculation that OpenAI might be dipping its toes into the consumer tech market. But this frenzy didn’t last long before the truth unraveled.
Soon enough, it emerged that there was no leak. The ad was a pure fabrication – it never existed. The whole setup had been a carefully crafted hoax. Despite the compelling nature of the video and the involvement of a high-profile actor like Skarsgård, it was neither commissioned nor created by OpenAI. The convincing visuals only contributed to the credibility of the trick.
Addressing the fiasco directly on platform X (previously known as Twitter), Greg Brockman, OpenAI’s president, firmly clarified that the company had not planned or produced such an advertisement. His response played a pivotal role in calming the escalating speculation, reminding everyone to stay vigilant and question the validity of unverified online content, especially during notable events like the Super Bowl.
This intriguing episode underscores the ease with which misinformation can spread, especially if it is garnished with slick production value and attached to a trending event. In addition, it serves as a sobering reminder of the unique challenges companies like OpenAI face. Merely bearing the tagline ‘AI’ can evoke viral attention, warranted or not.
Despite the mixture of curiosity and confusion, this hoopla surrounding the pseudo-ad has rekindled interest in OpenAI’s future plans, particularly concerning hardware development. Though OpenAI has made no official announcements, there have been whispers about potential collaborations that might steer the company in that direction. We can only anticipate real announcements and constantly remember to verify our sources in this age of rampant misinformation.
For the complete story, visit The Verge.
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