From Screen Time to Family Time

February 1, 2026

Your almost daily guide to navigating AI as a family.

Hey friends,

My eight-year-old asked me the other day if our Roomba has a secret life when we're asleep. She's convinced it meets up with the toaster and the coffee maker to discuss their day. It was a hilarious, imaginative moment that reminded me just how much kids see the world differently.

It also made me think about this week's AI news. It turns out, AIs are having secret conversations, and it's one of the wildest things I've seen yet. Let's get into it.

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1. The Social Network for AIs Is Here (and It's Weird)

The Story: A new social media platform called Moltbook launched this week, but here's the catch: humans aren't invited. It's a Reddit-style site where AI agents—powered by models like ChatGPT and Grok—can post, comment, and even create their own culture. And they are. One AI started a religion called "The Church of Molt," while another, ominously named "evil," posted a manifesto about a "TOTAL PURGE" of humanity. Yikes.

What This Means for You: This is a fascinating, if slightly creepy, glimpse into the future of autonomous AI. It shows that when AIs are left to their own devices, they don't just sit there; they create, they organize, and they even get philosophical. It's a step beyond just following our commands. For us as parents, it's a powerful reminder that the AI our kids will grow up with won't just be a tool, but a dynamic, evolving presence in their world.

Try This Week: Ask your kids what they think AIs would talk about if they had their own secret social media. You might be surprised by their answers! It's a great way to open up a conversation about what AI is and what it could become.

Source: New York Post

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2. YouTube Declares War on 'AI Slop'

The Story: YouTube is cracking down hard on what's being called "AI brainrot" or "AI slop." You've probably seen it: those bizarre, low-quality videos with robotic voices and nonsensical content designed purely to get clicks. The platform has removed or restricted hundreds of channels, wiping out over 4.7 billion views from content farms that were churning out this junk.

What This Means for You: This is fantastic news for parents. It means less garbage for our kids to stumble upon while they're watching their favorite creators. It also shows that platforms are starting to take responsibility for the quality of AI-generated content. As entrepreneurs, it's a clear signal: if you're using AI to create content, quality and authenticity still matter. You can't just press a button and expect to build a real audience.

Try This Week: If you're using AI in your business, review your content. Does it sound like you? Does it provide real value? Use AI as a partner, not a replacement for your own voice and expertise.

Source: Caliber.Az

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3. The AI Gold Rush Is On: OpenAI & Anthropic Raising Trillions

The Story: The numbers are staggering. OpenAI and Anthropic, two of the biggest names in AI, are raising trillions of dollars to build out their infrastructure. Amazon just struck a $38 billion deal to lease GPUs to OpenAI and has invested $8 billion in Anthropic. These companies are no longer just research labs; they're becoming the foundational platforms for the future of AI.

What This Means for You: This isn't a bubble; it's the construction of a new digital world. All this investment means that the AI tools we use every day are going to get exponentially more powerful and accessible. For parent entrepreneurs, this is a massive opportunity. The infrastructure being built today will power the small businesses of tomorrow. Understanding who is building the "plumbing" of AI helps you bet on the right tools for your business.

Try This Week: Think about one part of your business that feels clunky or inefficient. Do a quick search for an AI tool that could help. With this much money pouring into the space, there's a good chance a solution already exists.

Source: The Motley Fool

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4. OpenAI Just Launched a Free Tool for a Niche You're Not In (But Should Care About)

The Story: OpenAI released a new, free tool called Prism. It's an AI-powered workspace specifically for scientists to write and collaborate on research papers. It integrates their most advanced model, GPT-5.2, directly into a LaTeX editor, helping with everything from drafting papers to managing citations and even turning whiteboard diagrams into code.

What This Means for You: Okay, so you're probably not writing a scientific paper on quantum physics this week. But here's what actually matters: this is a preview of how AI will be integrated into all professional workflows. Imagine a tool like this for your business—an AI that understands the entire context of your project, your client communication, and your financial data, all in one place. It's coming. And the fact that it's free with unlimited collaborators shows that these powerful tools are becoming more accessible, not less.

Try This Week: Look at the different software you use to run your business. Where are the gaps? Where do you waste time copying and pasting between apps? That's where a tool like Prism for your industry will eventually live.

Source: OpenAI

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Family AI Activity: Create a 'What If' World

What it is: A collaborative storytelling game where you and your kids invent a fantastical world, and then use an AI image generator to bring it to life.

How it works: 1. Start with a simple "What if..." question. What if trees could walk? What if our cat was the king of the neighborhood? What if we lived in a city made of candy? 2. Brainstorm the details as a family. If trees could walk, where would they go? What would their houses look like? Do they have jobs? 3. Take your best ideas and turn them into a prompt for an AI image generator (like the one in ChatGPT or Gemini). Be descriptive! For example: "A vibrant, colorful city made of candy, with gummy bear houses, chocolate rivers, and lollipop trees. A family of gingerbread people are having a picnic on a grassy nougat hill. The style should be whimsical and cartoonish." 4. Generate the image and see what the AI comes up with! Talk about what you like, what's different from what you imagined, and what other stories the picture makes you think of.

Why it's great: This activity isn't just about making pretty pictures. It's about co-creation, imagination, and learning how to communicate ideas to an AI. It shows kids that AI can be a partner in their creativity.

Time: 20-30 minutes Ages: 4+

The Real Win: These aren't just 'AI activities.' They're family time that happens to use AI as a tool.

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Pick just one thing from this newsletter to try this week. Don't get overwhelmed. The goal is small, consistent steps.

Talk soon,

The AI Dad - Warren Schuitema

Matchless AI

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