OpenAI Super Bowl Ad Leak Hoax: 3 Key Takeaways
- Claims surface of an OpenAI hardware ad leak during the Super Bowl.
- OpenAI executives immediately deny it, calling it a “complete fake.”
- The hoax involved paid promotion, fake articles, and even a forged website.
Fake Leaked Video on Reddit
Rumors circulated that OpenAI’s Super Bowl ad had been leaked. The video featured earbuds and a glowing spherical device. To cut to the chase, it was all fake.[The Verge]
The Reddit post claimed the poster was upset that the ad they worked on wouldn’t be aired. The video featured actor Alexander Skarsgård and a glowing spherical device along with wraparound earbuds.
OpenAI’s Immediate Denial
Greg Brockman, President of OpenAI, dismissed it as “fake news” on X. Spokesperson Lindsay McCallum Remi also confirmed it was a “complete fake.”[The Verge]
The Reddit account that posted the video was newly created. According to the Internet Archive, the person was running a bookkeeping business in Santa Monica a year ago.
A Systematically Prepared Hoax
Max Weinbach revealed an email he received a week prior, offering to promote a tweet about the OpenAI hardware ad, accompanied by a $1,146 payment.[The Verge]
A fake article under an AdAge reporter’s name also circulated. OpenAI’s CMO stated that even a fake website was created. It seemed more plausible because there was a real leak that OpenAI was actually developing earbuds codenamed ‘Sweetpea’.[TechRadar]
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What was featured in the fake leaked video?
A: It featured actor Alexander Skarsgård and a glowing spherical device and wraparound earbuds, seemingly OpenAI’s first hardware. OpenAI executives immediately denied it as a complete fake, and the Reddit post was also deleted.
Q: Is OpenAI actually developing earbuds?
A: According to separate leaked information, OpenAI is developing AI earbuds under the codename Sweetpea. There are reports that Foxconn is in charge of manufacturing, and the consumer name may be Dime. This is a separate matter unrelated to the Super Bowl ad leak.
Q: Has the mastermind behind the hoax been identified?
A: The mastermind has not yet been identified. The Reddit account has been deleted, and the fact that paid promotional emails and even a fake website were used suggests that considerable resources were invested. OpenAI has only confirmed that it was a hoax.
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References
- OpenAI’s supposedly ‘leaked’ Super Bowl ad was a hoax – The Verge (2026-02-09)
- Big OpenAI leak claims earbud-style wearable – TechRadar (2026-02-09)
- OpenAI’s first steps into AI hardware leaks – Android Central (2026-02-09)