Anthropic, the company behind the AI assistant Claude, asks job applicants not to use AI in their applications to gauge genuine interest and non-AI-assisted communication skills. Honestly, it’s reassuring to see AI companies still valuing the human touch behind their tech.
A peek into today’s edition:
- How Verizon activates for Super Bowl
- Tech Byte: Chris Hemsworth‘s hot take on AI
- Apple launches new invites app
From 5G to Style: Verizon Transforms Super Bowl LIX
Super Bowl LIX has arrived, and as thousands flood into New Orleans, Verizon has upgraded connectivity across the city and Caesars Superdome to elevate the fan experience.
Beyond network enhancements, Verizon is rolling out activations on the ground and nationwide for the big weekend. Here’s a look at how the wireless network service provider is showing up for Super Bowl Sunday.
Connectivity in the Big Easy
As the official 5G partner of the NFL, Verizon has one goal in mind for these large-scale events: to provide enough connectivity so that fans can seamlessly share their experiences in real-time. Verizon inked a 10-year deal with the league in September 2021, where it committed to enhancing the NFL experience for teams, players, and fans in stadiums nationwide. This collaboration has led to the deployment of Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband service in all 30 NFL stadiums. Since launching its partnership with the NFL, Verizon has been actively upgrading its 5G infrastructure in cities hosting major NFL events, including regular-season games, drafts, and Super Bowls.
Beyond stadiums, Verizon has been upgrading its 5G infrastructure in cities hosting major NFL events. For instance, ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft in Kansas City, the company made significant network enhancements to support the influx of fans and media. Similarly, in preparation for the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit – which I got to experience up close – Verizon invested approximately $25 million to upgrade its 5G network. For Super Bowl LVII in Phoenix, Verizon invested over $100 million in network enhancements around State Farm Stadium and the greater Phoenix area.
The wireless network service provider deployed 509 5G radios at the Superdome alone to boost the stadium’s network infrastructure and keep attendees connected during the game. That’s double the amount of 5G radios Verizon laced Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas with for last year’s Super Bowl. These 5G radios cover seating areas, suites, lounges, concourses, and entryways. Fans with 5G Ultra Wideband devices are advised to disable Wi-Fi to benefit fully from this enhanced network experience.
Verizon’s 5G upgrades don’t just power NFL events—they leave a lasting impact on host cities, benefiting residents, businesses, and visitors long after the game ends.
Brand Visibility
Beyond the technological upgrades, Verizon introduced the “House of Verizon” experience in New Orleans. Located at Fulton Alley, the venue hosted a series of exclusive events, blending sports, music, fashion, and local culture. The venue featured a bowling alley, culinary offerings from local restaurants, VIP parties, a fashion show by Rhude creator Rhuigi Villasenor, a styling session with Kristin Juszczyk, and a brunch with TikTok Chef Tini. Athletes, content creators, and big-name stars like Doechii and T-Pain made appearances throughout the weekend.
Verizon’s commitment to enhancing the Super Bowl experience extends beyond New Orleans. Today, the company is hosting the first-ever Super Bowl FanFest, bringing the excitement of the championship game to stadiums and iconic venues in 30 cities nationwide. Each FanFest offers unique, elevated experiences tailored to the local fanbase, and the House of Verizon will be transforming into a special FanFest of its own.
Tech Byte
Today’s Tech Byte section highlights how Big Tech leverages big-name celebrities to promote their products, with Chris Hemsworth offering his hot take on AI.
Meta partnered with Hemsworth, Kris Jenner, and Chris Pratt for a Super Bowl ad that showcases the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses and their AI capabilities. Hemsworth, in an exclusive interview with Boardroom, shared that while this was his first time working with Jenner, his previous collaborations with Pratt made for some fun banter and improv on set. The trio played around with the smart glasses, exploring their tech features and highlighting how they enhance daily life in ways we’ve never experienced before.
“The Ray-Ban Meta glasses bring a ton of value when you’re looking to be more present,” Hemsworth said. “I feel like the AI glasses from Meta are fundamentally changing technology and how we relate to it, which is pretty cool.”
When discussing his experience with the Ray-Ban Meta glasses, Hemsworth emphasized how the technology offers hands-free convenience, allowing for seamless interaction without needing a device.
“There’s an ease and convenience that previously wasn’t there,” he said.
Looking ahead, Hemsworth sees wearable tech like the Ray-Ban Meta glasses revolutionizing how we live, work, and create content. The glasses open up possibilities for spontaneous, more focused experiences, which he believes will continue to shape the future of tech. Outside of the glasses, Hemsworth also uses trackable wearables to optimize his health goals, citing how AI helps streamline mundane tasks and frees up time for more important life moments.
This Week in Tech
- Apple launched a new platform called Apple Invites, a new app that lets iCloud+ subscribers create and send event invites for anyone to RSVP to. Partiful, clearly feeling the heat, clapped back on X, calling Apple a copycat.
- Wilson is rereleasing its $2,500 Airless Gen1 basketball, which is 3D-printed with a hollow design that mimics the performance of a traditional ball without needing inflation. The limited-edition item will open sales again on Feb. 13 during NBA All-Star Weekend in The Bay, marking its return two years after its debut.
- Spotify shares surged 13% to over $620 on Tuesday after reporting its first full year of profitability in 2024. Key growth drivers included a surge in monthly active users to 675 million, the continued success of Spotify Wrapped, and an increase in Spotify Premium subscribers.
- Paris Saint-Germain, in partnership with beIN SPORTS and Xtadium, is launching an immersive VR experience for US fans, allowing them to watch select Ligue 1 matches live as if they were pitch-side. This first-of-its-kind initiative for a European club will feature three live PSG matches, 2D highlights, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content, accessible via the Xtadium app on Meta Quest headsets.
- The NBA has selected five companies for the 2025 NBA Launchpad cohort, focusing on emerging technologies that enhance fan engagement, player health, officiating, and sustainability. The companies will participate in a six-month pilot program, culminating in a presentation at the NBA 2K26 Summer League in Las Vegas. The five companies are OneCourt, Somnee, SportIQ, Trashie, and VReps.
- SoftBank has committed to spending $3 billion annually on OpenAI’s technology and formed a joint venture, SB OpenAI Japan, to market OpenAI’s enterprise tech to major Japanese companies. The partnership comes as SoftBank leads a potential $40 billion funding round for OpenAI, though this deal is separate from the previously announced Stargate Project the pair will also be participating in.
Michelai’s Bet of the Week
The Sims celebrated 25 years on the market this week, boasting over 200 million copies sold and 500 million players of its life simulation game worldwide. While Electronic Arts said last year that the franchise won’t be releasing a fifth installment, I’m going to bet that we’ll see a major upgrade in The Sims 4 universe pretty soon. Maybe a social media platform for Sims characters? Or a VR version of the game? Or a robust multiplayer universe? Anything is possible.
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