Weekly AI News: Apple Acquires Q.ai, Google AI Plus Expansion, Davos AI Transformation, GenAI Tutoring Research, and Pictory Video Tool
Hi Friend,
Last week I did a presentation for the Global AI Councel about AI SEO/GEO.
I walked attendees through how AI SEO/GEO had changed the rules of visibility—shifting search from ranked links to AI-generated answers where brands either get mentioned or disappeared. I broke down the five signals that influence AI inclusion (entity clarity, topical authority, trust, machine readability, and distribution footprint) and shared a practical 90-day plan to help businesses earn more mentions, citations, and recommendations in 2026. I also showed attendees how to assess their current AI visibility using a 3 simple prompts and what to prioritize to move toward #1 in their category.
If you want to see the deck, you can get it here (scroll to the bottom). The recording will be available shortly.
In the news we’ve got an Apple acquisition tied to audio and on-device intelligence, a useful expansion from Google, a fresh look at where genAI tutoring is headed, a Davos-inspired set of business case studies you can borrow from, and a tool spotlight on Pictory for turning text into videos fast.
Apple acquires Israeli AI startup Q.ai
Apple has acquired Israeli AI startup Q.ai, according to reporting that cites Apple confirming the deal. Q.ai has been quiet publicly, but its site suggests work related to audio, and the company was led by Aviad Maizels, who previously sold PrimeSense to Apple.
My take: Apple tends to buy for specific tech it can integrate, so this looks like a “make the product better” move, not a splashy headline. For businesses, it’s a reminder that the best AI advantages often come from tight integration and privacy-friendly design.
Google AI Plus expands to 35 new countries and territories
Google is expanding Google AI Plus availability across 35 additional markets, including the US. The plan bundles access to its AI models and tools across Gemini and other experiences, plus storage and family sharing.
My take: The big story here is packaging. Vendors are moving AI from “optional add-on” to “default bundle,” so your job becomes choosing where it fits in your workflows and setting smart usage guidelines. Broader availability makes it easier for teams to standardize on a consistent AI toolkit across regions. If you have distributed teams, this reduces friction and makes training and enablement simpler. When advising companies we help them maximize the AI they already have access to. This has been an issue with global teams as the access is different around the world. Google is helping to bring things closer to parody for distributed teams
What the research shows about generative AI in tutoring
Brookings pulled together recent research on genAI in tutoring and the results are encouraging when systems are designed responsibly. The piece also highlights the tradeoffs: accuracy, good instructional judgment, and the risk of over-reliance.
“It’s not just students who benefit. Tutoring that incorporates generative AI promises substantial benefits for teachers and education systems as a whole.”
My take: “Design matters” is the headline. If you want AI coaching that actually helps and does not make things up, you need guardrails, good prompts, and a clear escalation path to humans. My daughter, who has ADHD, has used Notebook LM to help her study for exams and it made a huge difference, massively improving her grades and also her confidence. In all of the years of tutoring, nothing has been as effective as AI for her. (outside of Spanish)
Davos signals the shift from AI hype to AI transformation
CIO covered a World Economic Forum set of AI case studies showing real-world impact across industries. The examples range from big efficiency gains to faster cycles in areas like drug development and forecasting.
Case studies are a shortcut. Use them to benchmark, to pick use cases that are already working elsewhere, and to build internal buy-in with concrete outcomes.
My take: If your leadership team is asking “what should we do with AI?”, send them this. Then pick one workflow, one owner, one metric, and ship something useful in weeks, not quarters. Here’s a custom GPT that will help you define your workflows and SOPs and identify where AI can help.
How to turn blogs and scripts into videos fast with Pictory
Turn blogs and scripts into videos fast with Pictory by pasting your text and letting AI instantly generate scenes, visuals, and captions. In minutes, you get polished, on-brand videos without filming, editing, or complex timelines. It’s the quickest way to repurpose written content into scroll-stopping video at scale. It’s built for marketing teams who want more output without adding hours of editing time.
My take: Video is still one of the highest-performing formats (SEO/GEO), and most teams are sitting on a goldmine of reusable content. Tools like Pictory help you repurpose faster, test more angles, and see what actually resonates.
How to use Gamma now – Level-up your decks! 🍌
Gamma is still my favorite AI powered presentation tool. This quick guide shows the newest Gamma features for reusing decks and scaling content faster.
1) Remix (reuse any Gamma fast)
What it is:
Start from an existing Gamma, keep the layout, change the content.
Where to find it:
- Dashboard: three dots (…) on a Gamma → Remix
- Editor: three dots (…) → Remix
- Templates: pick a workspace template → Remix
How to use (steps):
- Pick a Gamma (or template).
- Click Remix.
- Tell Gamma what to change (audience, tone, goal, new content, paste data like CSV, add images).
- Click Generate.
Notes:
- Original is not changed.
- Uses credits.
- Available across plans.
Copy prompts:
- “Rewrite for healthcare executives. Keep sections. Make it 8 cards.”
- “Adapt for Client B. Replace retail examples with construction services.”
- “Use these notes to fill this QBR template. Summarize trends from this CSV.”
2) Workspace Templates (standardize your best decks)
What it is:
Saved copies of your best Gammas that your team can reuse.
Where:
Dashboard → Templates (left sidebar)
Create a template (steps):
- Go to Templates.
- Click + Add a gamma.
- Choose the Gamma.
- Click Create template.
- Name it.
- Save.
Use a template:
- Click + New Gamma → choose your template
- You can also Remix a template.
Plan note:
Available on Pro, Ultra, Team, Business.
3) Studio Mode (Nano Banana Pro) for cinematic decks
What changed:
Studio mode uses Nano Banana Pro HD for better output.
What you get:
- Better text rendering
- Better theme match
- Choose an art style
- More consistent visuals
How to use (steps):
- Start a new Gamma (or Remix).
- Switch to Studio mode.
- Use visual-first prompts.
Prompt examples:
- “Cinematic, modern, tech visuals. Minimal text. Keep it readable.”
- “Story: problem, tension, breakthrough, results. Keep visuals consistent.”
Tip: Save one “house style” prompt for your team.
4) Image edits auto-save to your media library
What changed:
Edited AI images are automatically saved in your Media drawer and AI Images dashboard.
How to edit an AI image (steps):
- Click the AI-generated image.
- Click Ask AI to (or right-click → Ask AI to).
- Choose or type an edit (change background, add/remove, fix details, animate on Pro).
- Preview → Apply.
- Reuse later from your media library.
5) Generate API + Make (automate deck creation)
What it does:
Create presentations, docs, webpages, and social posts through an API (without using the app manually).
Key dates:
- API v1.0 GA: Nov 5, 2025
- API v0.2 sunsets: Jan 16, 2026
Get API access (steps):
- Be on Pro or higher.
- Gamma → Settings and Members → API key tab → Create API key.
- Use header:
X-API-KEY(not Bearer). - Base URL:
https://public-api.gamma.app/v1.0
Tools to try this week
- HeyGen: Produce studio-quality videos with AI avatars and voices, great for ads, explainers, and internal training.
- Jasper.ai: Team-friendly AI writing platform designed for brand voice consistency across emails, ads, and site content.
- Canva: Create professional designs and marketing assets using curated templates plus AI-assisted features.
Applied AI – Level 1 Certification
Applied AI Level 1 is where you stop talking about AI and start using it confidently in your business, right away. We’ll show you exactly how to apply AI to your daily workflows so you save time, reduce overwhelm, and get real results without needing to be technical. If you want clarity, momentum, and practical AI skills you can use the same week, this is the place to start.
Don’t just take our word for it…
Here’s what a recent student had to say:
“I highly recommend this course to anyone in who’s been curious about how to use AI in a practical way. The instructors, Nicole, Andrea, and Maricar, brought a well-structured approach to every session. I had been looking for guidance on which tools to use and how to use them effectively and they delivered that as well as many ideas and tips. If you’re navigating AI and want to understand what tools will support your work and how to use them, this course is absolutely worth it!”
– Charis Armer, Business Consultant
Ready to get started?! Our next 10-week live course begins Feb. 23rd!
Join the Conversation
Have questions, comments, or cool AI stories to share? We’re all ears and always looking to highlight insights from the AI community. Simply reply to this email or drop us a line at [email protected].
Can’t wait to hear from you!
Cheers,
-Nicole Donnelly
Founder, AI Smart Ventures
