From Screen Time to Family Time

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Your daily guide to using AI for good, not just for another screen.

Hey friends,

My eight-year-old just asked me if our Roomba is a "baby AI." I told her it's more like a toddler AI – it bumps into things, gets stuck under the couch, and occasionally eats a sock. It sparked a whole dinner conversation about what AI is and isn't. It's amazing how quickly they're picking this stuff up.

It got me thinking about how fast this world is changing, not just for our kids, but for us as parents trying to run businesses. Today's AI news is a perfect example. Let's get into it.

1. Apple and Google Are Teaming Up on AI. Yes, You Read That Right.

In a move that has the tech world buzzing, Apple and Google announced a multi-year partnership. The next version of Apple's Siri and other "Apple Intelligence" features will be powered by Google's Gemini AI models. It's like the Avengers of AI assembling, right on your phone.

What This Means for You: The two biggest players in the mobile world are now collaborating on the core AI experience for iPhones. This means Siri might actually become useful, and the AI features on your phone are about to get a lot smarter and more personalized. Let's be honest, we've all been waiting for Siri to have her glow-up moment.

Try This Week: The next time you're frustrated with Siri, have a little patience. Then, have a chat with your kids about what they'd want a super-smart Siri to do. You'll be amazed at their ideas (and maybe get a glimpse into the future).

Read the official announcement.

2. Your ChatGPT Is Now an App Store

OpenAI recently turned ChatGPT into an all-in-one platform. You can now use apps like Expedia, Canva, and Spotify directly within your chat. Instead of just talking about booking a flight, you can actually book it without ever leaving the conversation. This is a huge step towards AI becoming a true assistant.

What This Means for You: This is a massive time-saver. Think about your workflow. Instead of jumping between five different tabs to research a trip, design a social media post, and create a playlist for your focus time, you can do it all in one place. It’s about streamlining the doing, not just the thinking.

Try This Week: Open up ChatGPT and see what apps are available. Try connecting one you already use, like Canva. Ask it to create a simple design for you, like an Instagram post for your business. See how it feels to have that creative power right inside your chat.

Read more about the update.

3. Gmail Is About to Start Writing Your Emails (In Your Voice)

Google is rolling out a major AI upgrade for Gmail. The new "Help Me Write" feature will learn your personal writing style to help you draft emails. It can also summarize long email chains and even pull out a to-do list from your inbox. This is powered by their latest Gemini 3 model.

What This Means for You: Let's be honest, we all spend too much time in our inboxes. This is about reclaiming that time. Imagine an AI that can handle the first draft of your client follow-ups, or instantly find that one attachment you need from a three-month-long thread. It’s less about automation and more about augmentation.

Try This Week: Pay attention to your email habits. How many times do you write the same type of email? When the new Gmail features roll out to you, pick one of those repetitive emails and see if the "Help Me Write" feature can handle it. The goal is to train your new assistant.

Learn more about the new Gmail features.

4. The AI Hype Is Cooling, and That's a Good Thing

A new report from MIT Sloan Review predicts the "AI bubble" will start to deflate in 2026. Does that mean AI is over? Not at all. It means we're moving past the hype and into a phase of real, practical application. Companies are shifting from flashy, individual-use-case demos to building strategic "AI factories" that will fundamentally change how businesses operate.

What This Means for You: This is where the real opportunity lies for entrepreneurs. The dust is settling, and the companies that will win are the ones that use AI to solve real problems, not just create cool-looking novelties. It’s a reminder to focus on substance over sizzle in your own business.

Try This Week: Read the article and think about one strategic area of your business that could be improved with AI. Not just a small task, but a core process. It could be customer service, marketing content creation, or even product development. The big wins are in the big picture.

Read the full trend report.

Family AI Activities

Here are three fun, quick, and creative ways to use AI with your kids this week.

1. Storybook Character Mashup

• What It Is: Create a brand-new, never-before-seen storybook character by combining two of your child's favorites.