From Screen Time to Family Time

February 12, 2026 Your almost daily guide to navigating AI as a family.

Hey friends,

This week, a teenager tried to explain a new meme to me on Facebook. I nodded along, pretending I understood, but on the inside, I felt like I was trying to decipher a foreign language. That's exactly how I feel about the pace of AI right now. It's moving so fast that just when you think you've got a handle on it, a dozen new tools and headlines pop up. It can be overwhelming, especially when you're trying to figure out what it all means for your family and your career. The goal isn't to become an expert overnight. It's about staying curious, having conversations, and taking small, consistent steps together. Let's figure it out, one day at a time.

Your Screen-Based Job is About to Change Forever

The Story: A viral post by AI entrepreneur Matt Shumer sent a shockwave across the internet this week, warning that if your job happens on a screen, AI is coming for it—and much faster than we think. He compares the current moment to the early days of the pandemic, where the signs were there but widely dismissed. Shumer, who works at the heart of the AI industry, says he's already seen AI build entire software applications from plain English descriptions. He's not predicting the future; he's telling us what's already happening inside AI labs.

What This Means for You: For entrepreneurs, this is a massive opportunity to build leaner, faster, and more creative businesses. For parents, it's a wake-up call. The career paths we're preparing our kids for are being redrawn in real-time. The new currency isn't just a specific skill, but the ability to adapt, think critically, and work with AI. The roles that will remain most human-centric are those built on trust, accountability, and physical presence.

Try This Week: Spend one hour this week using the paid version of an AI tool like ChatGPT or Claude for a real work task. Don't just ask it simple questions. Try to have it help you outline a proposal, draft a difficult email, or brainstorm a marketing plan. See what it's truly capable of.

Source: News18

TikTok's Parent Company Just Dropped a Mind-Blowing AI Video Tool

The Story: ByteDance, the company behind TikTok, just unveiled Seedance 2.0, an AI model that can create stunning, cinematic-quality videos from a mix of text, images, and even audio. This isn't just another text-to-video generator. It allows creators to reference specific camera movements, character styles, and audio cues from uploaded files, giving them granular control over the final product. Think of it as an AI video editor that can bring your creative vision to life, no film crew required.

What This Means for You: This is a game-changer for content creation. For entrepreneurs, it dramatically lowers the barrier to producing professional-looking video ads, social media content, and product demos. For families, it opens up a new world of creative storytelling. Imagine animating your child's drawings, turning a collection of family photos into a short film, or creating a personalized birthday video starring an AI-generated version of your pet. The possibilities are endless.

Try This Week: While Seedance 2.0 is still in beta, you can explore similar tools. Try using Canva's Magic Media (in the apps" section) or another AI video generator to create a short clip. Start with a simple prompt like "a golden retriever puppy playing in a field of flowers" and see what you get.

Source: LiveMint

Are Parents Ready for AI? New Survey Says Not Really

The Story: A recent survey of nearly 1,000 tech-savvy parents found that less than 20% are comfortable with their kids using AI. A surprising 60% reported being "somewhat" or "very" uncomfortable. These aren't parents who are afraid of technology; they're "Lifeguard Parents" who understand the risks of algorithms, data collection, and privacy. Their hesitation isn't about the tech itself, but about the lack of safe, parent-involved options.

What This Means for You: Your concerns are valid and shared by many. It's a reminder that we need to approach AI with thoughtful caution, not blind optimism. It also highlights a huge opportunity for entrepreneurs to build family-friendly AI tools that prioritize safety, transparency, and parental controls. For parents, it reinforces the need to have open conversations with our kids about the AI tools they're using and to advocate for better, safer products.

Try This Week: Talk to your kids about AI. Ask them if they've used tools like ChatGPT or if their friends are using them. Frame the conversation around curiosity, not fear. Use a tool together to create something fun, like a silly poem or a picture of a unicorn on Mars. This opens the door for ongoing dialogue.

Source: Kinzoo

Your Kid's Next TA Might Be a Chatbot

The Story: Forget stuffy office hours. University professors across Canada are starting to use AI in creative ways to teach. One accounting professor at UQAM built an AI teaching assistant named "Bobby," trained on all his course materials, to answer student questions 24/7. Another professor at the University of Toronto has students engage in "reaction dialogues" with AI to analyze their readings. The focus is shifting from banning AI to teaching students how to use it as a powerful thinking partner.

What This Means for You: The way our kids will learn is fundamentally changing. The emphasis is moving away from memorization and toward critical thinking, problem-solving, and knowing how to ask the right questions. As parents, we can support this shift at home. Instead of just giving our kids the answers, we can encourage them to use AI to explore topics, brainstorm ideas, and then critically evaluate the information they get back.

Try This Week: Next time your child has a question for a school project, don't just search for the answer. Use an AI tool together. Ask it to explain the topic in a simple way. Then, ask it for a different perspective. This teaches them that AI is a starting point for learning, not the final answer.

Source: CBC News

Family AI Activity

This week, let's create a family mascot! Use an AI image generator like Midjourney or DALL-E 3 (available in ChatGPT Plus) with a prompt like: "A friendly, cartoon robot mascot for a family that loves technology and nature. The robot should be holding a flower, with a warm and inviting smile. Pixar style." Generate a few options and vote on your favorite!

Join Me at the Goal Achiever's Summit in 2026!

I'm absolutely thrilled to share that I'll be on stage at the Goal Achiever's Summit in 2026! This is a can't-miss event for any entrepreneur, creator, or ambitious individual ready to transform their vision into reality. I'll be diving deep into my personal strategies for using AI to amplify your brand, streamline your workflows, and conquer your most audacious goals—all without losing sight of your core values.

This summit is so much more than a series of talks; it's a vibrant community of driven individuals dedicated to growth and making a real impact. You'll leave with a notebook full of actionable tactics, a network of powerful allies, and the fire to make 2026 your most successful year ever. Early bird tickets are available now, and I'd love to see you there. Let's build our empires together!

Join me at the Summit!

Join the Community

Looking for a place to connect with other parents who are navigating the world of AI? Join our free Facebook group, AI-Powered Super Parents.

Join the Conversation

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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