Keeping up with AI is a full-time job and it's only getting harder.
More noise = more confusion.
But over the last month, I felt a shift... and you probably did too.
January was different than the steady rise we've been watching. It seemed like we made a sizeable leap in weeks, all without a major model release.
Tools and user experience are improving, making it clearer what AI can already do.
AI is finally moving from chat companion to coworker. And yes, you've heard that before — but this time it's not hypothetical or over-hyped fluff.
I sat down with Amir Mot (co-founder of Humblytics, creator of the Build Ship Market AI community)to simplify the noise.
Watch us break down everything to know from January 2026.
What to Know:
1
Clawdbot Agents Go Viral
Now rebranded as OpenClaw (FKA Moltbot), this autonomous agent can be set up via Slack or Telegram with root access to a computer to perform tasks independently.
↳ Takeaway:It’s a mainstream glimpse into the “AI coworker” future with agents running 24/7 to build and optimize themselves in real-time.
2
Claude Code Surges
Despite being available for nearly a year, Claude Code saw a huge spike in usage as technical and non-technical users began “vibe coding” during the holidays. Capabilities accelorated with the launch of Claude's latest model Opus 4.5 and the release of Skills (packaged instructions).
↳ Takeaway:Still leans technical, but it’s shifting from a developer niche to a knowledge worker tool that manages business databases and automates file workflows.
3
Claude Launches Cowork (Claude Code for Everyone Else)
A new feature in the Claude desktop app provides a user-friendly way for AI to interact with local folders without the complexities of Claude Code.
↳ Takeaway:Worth a try if you use Claude. It bridges chat and your files, helping augment and automate work like desktop cleanup or accounting reconciliation.
4
Claude Brings Interactive Tools to Chat
Anthropic introduced MCP interactive tools that let Claude visualize data in dynamic charts and artifacts (like Figma boards) directly in chat.
↳ Takeaway:This will allow you to stay in the chat window and interact with your everyday tools. Stronger visual interpretation and data connections mean less app-hopping and ability to view and edit work with lower friction.
5
Claude Is Now In Excel
A plugin brings Claude directly into Microsoft Excel to help complex formulas and interact with your data.
↳ Takeaway:AI moves into legacy software where corporate work happens (disruptive in a good way for finance and analytics-heavy teams).
6
Manus Gets Skills
Manus added a “skills” feature so users can create and schedule automated browser workflows (e.g., recurring website traffic reports).
↳ Takeaway:With skills, Manus offers approachable agents for non-technical users (think set and forget recurring digital tasks with access to your tools in under 15 minutes).
7
Manus Gets Acquired By Meta
Meta acquired Manus, known for their approachable agentic browser capabilities compared to most major LLM providers.
↳ Takeaway:This acquisition validates web-based agents as a key frontier. Manus is high leverage for marketing research and competitive analysis.
8
Ads Come To ChatGPT
OpenAI has begun rolling out sponsored content and ad placements inside the ChatGPT interface.
↳ Takeaway:Even if users push back, ads will become the norm as platforms monetize engagement and data.
9
Gemini Introduces Personal Intelligence
Google is connecting Gemini across Gmail, Photos, and Search to build a 360-degree profile that understands your personal habits.
↳ Takeaway:This will provide tailored intelligence ecosystem that knows your history and documents, bringing a more cohesive experience across Gemini interactions.
10
Chrome Becomes An Agentic Browser
Google updated Chrome with agentic capabilities, allowing it to autonomously view pages and interact with website images.
↳ Takeaway:Adding agent capabilities into the most-used browser pushes the functionality into the mainstream. Use it by clicking Gemini in the upper right corner of your browser window.
If you’re looking for quick wins, start with
Manus or Google Chrome’s new agentic browser capabilies.
Both give you exposure to AI that acts outside the chat window.
Expect more tools like these to keep popping up. Some will feel a bit primitive, but they’re a clear signal of where things are going (AI that acts).
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