Super Bowl LX: AI Takes the Field, Leaving Crypto on the Sidelines

The Super Bowl isn't just a championship game; it's an annual bellwether for cultural and technological shifts, especially in advertising. This year, Super Bowl LX delivered a clear message to founders, builders, and engineers: AI is no longer a niche concept; it's front and center, vying for mainstream mindshare in a way crypto once did.

Gone are the days when Crypto.com and Coinbase dominated the ad breaks. While Coinbase made a reappearance, the broader narrative has shifted dramatically from "web3 for all" to "AI for everything." The airwaves were thick with AI, from subtle integrations to direct, competitive jabs.

Anthropic, for instance, didn't shy away from throwing down the gauntlet with an ad that initially took direct aim at OpenAI and ChatGPT. While later softened, the intent was clear: this is a platform play, and the battle for developer mindshare is on. OpenAI, not to be outdone, presented its own ad for Codex, proclaiming, "You can just build things." This message resonates deeply with our audience of innovators – a call to action to leverage their tools and create.

However, the path isn't without its stumbles. Google Gemini's ad from last year, with its now-infamous Gouda cheese misstep, serves as a poignant reminder that even the most advanced AI can falter. It highlights the critical importance of accuracy and robust testing, especially when addressing a global audience.

Beyond the direct AI platform plays, we saw Amazon's Alexa Plus attempting to "kill" Chris Hemsworth, showcasing AI's growing role in consumer products and speculative futures. Even the absence of ads from platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket speaks volumes about where the major advertising dollars are flowing – away from speculative blockchain bets and towards the tangible (or at least imminently tangible) promise of artificial intelligence.

For those building the future, Super Bowl LX offered a fascinating glimpse into the current state of technological ambition. AI isn't just automating tasks; it's shaping narratives, driving competition, and becoming the new frontier for innovation in advertising and beyond. The challenge for founders and engineers now is to move past the hype and truly "build things" that deliver real value, ensuring that the AI revolution is marked by genuine breakthroughs rather than just clever ad campaigns.