For decades, Super Bowl ads have been used as a launching platform for new products, devices, and even technologies. In Super Bowl LIX, it took center stage in the exploding AI space.
Until now, the tech crowd has ravenously ingested much of the most pertinent AI news. The innovators and early adopters are way ahead, but the Super Bowl creates a captive commercial-loving audience of 130 million normal people. With OpenAI, Meta, and Google all taking the opportunity to push artificial intelligence to the populace, they all took interest through very different approaches.
Here's a look at the AI-driven Super Bowl ads that made waves, what they promised, and how audiences reacted.
AI-powered Super Bowl ads: Who showed what?
OpenAI: The Information Age
What it showed: The ad featured black-and-white visuals in constant motion, walking through humanity's many developments, from tools and fire all the way through to generative AI.
Key message: We have entered The Information Age. We might have thought that happened with the invention of the internet, but buckle up. Here is a blog post from OpenAI founder and CEO Sam Altman that accompanied the commercial.
Audience reaction:
Google: Dream Job
What it showed: A Google Pixel 9 featuring Gemini Live. The commercial shows a father prepping for a job interview by having Gemini quiz him with sample interview questions. Throughout the quiz, the father is juggling parental responsibilities, with his responses making sense both as a job seeker and a father.
Key message: AI isn't just for tech nerds anymore. There are practical uses the average person is already missing out on.
Audience reaction (that was not about the Great Google Gouda incident of 2025):
Meta: The Banana
What it showed: Chris Hemsworth and Chris Pratt wandering around Kris Jenner's home looking at her art collection while they ask questions about pieces through their Ray Ban Metas.
Key message: Check out how practical our AI glasses are (and they really are). While the gallery vibe may not have been the most relatable choice, bringing in A-list celebrities and keeping the ad light and funny made it land well.
Audience reaction:
What this means for AI in pop culture
The use of AI in Super Bowl ads reflects growing public awareness of the technology and a desire by those building it to put it in front of everyday, normal people. For many, this was their first exposure to AI beyond tech circles — a chance for AI brands to introduce their products to a mainstream audience, including those who may not actively follow AI advancements.
By leveraging the Super Bowl's massive reach, companies are normalizing AI's role in everyday life and demonstrating its practical applications to “normies” who might otherwise be skeptical or unaware of its potential.
Brands are focusing on AI's practical benefits, creativity, and even humor to make it more relatable. OpenAI took the creativity route, channeling the aesthetic and tone of legendary Apple ads to position AI as a transformative force in human progress. Meta, on the other hand, opted for a light-hearted approach, incorporating humor and A-list celebrities like Chris Hemsworth and Chris Pratt to showcase the everyday usefulness of AI-powered smart glasses.
The integration of AI in Super Bowl ads has elicited a spectrum of reactions. Many viewers expressed enthusiasm, appreciating the innovative and creative approaches brands employed to showcase AI technologies. For instance, OpenAI's debut commercial was noted for its transformative portrayal of AI's role in human progress, resonating with audiences who view AI as a positive force.
These mixed reactions highlight the public's growing interest in AI, as well as the importance of thoughtful and ethical integration of AI in media and advertising.
Did an AI-powered ad stand out to you? Join the conversation and share your thoughts on how AI is reshaping marketing and entertainment.
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