Apple & Google Team Up, Meta's Italy Exemption, and Anthropic's New Tool - Daily AI Brief #365
January 13, 2026 -
Daily AI Brief
Hi there,
Welcome to today's AI Brief. In this edition, we cover several significant developments in the AI industry. Google's Gemini is set to enhance Apple's AI features, marking a notable collaboration between the tech giants. Meanwhile, Meta has decided to exempt Italy from its recent WhatsApp chatbot ban.
Additionally, Salesforce has introduced a new AI Slackbot designed for business users, and OpenAI has acquired the healthcare startup Torch. In the sports sector, FIFA has partnered with Stats Perform to provide betting data. Stay tuned for more details on these stories.
Welcome to today's AI Brief. In this edition, we cover several significant developments in the AI industry. Google's Gemini is set to enhance Apple's AI features, marking a notable collaboration between the tech giants. Meanwhile, Meta has decided to exempt Italy from its recent WhatsApp chatbot ban.
Additionally, Salesforce has introduced a new AI Slackbot designed for business users, and OpenAI has acquired the healthcare startup Torch. In the sports sector, FIFA has partnered with Stats Perform to provide betting data. Stay tuned for more details on these stories.
Apple Partners with Google for AI Enhancements
Apple has partnered with Google to use Google's Gemini technology to enhance its AI features, including Siri, in a deal reportedly worth $1 billion. Read more
Meta Exempts Italy from WhatsApp Chatbot Ban
Meta Platforms will exempt Italy from its ban on rival AI chatbots on WhatsApp following an order from the Italian antitrust authority. This decision is part of ongoing investigations into Meta's market practices. Read more
Anthropic Launches Cowork Tool for Claude App
On January 12, 2026, Anthropic announced Cowork, a new feature in the Claude Desktop app, allowing users to manage files more easily. Currently in research preview, it is available to Max subscribers with a waitlist for others. Read more
Pearson and Deloitte Partner for AI Learning Solutions
On January 13, 2026, Pearson and Deloitte announced a partnership to create AI-enhanced learning solutions aimed at addressing the global skills gap for enterprises and government organizations. Read more
Medius Certified for AI-Driven E-Invoicing in France
Medius has been certified by the French General Directorate of Public Finances as an Approved Platform for electronic invoicing, aiding companies in compliance with new reforms. Read more
Meta Appoints Dina Powell McCormick as President and Vice Chairman
Meta Platforms has announced the appointment of Dina Powell McCormick as its president and vice chairman. McCormick, with a background in finance and government, will influence the company's strategic direction and investment capacity. Read more
War Department Unveils AI Strategy for Military
The War Department has launched an AI Acceleration Strategy to boost U.S. military AI capabilities, as directed by President Trump. This initiative aims to integrate advanced AI technologies into military operations. Read more
Salesforce Introduces AI Slackbot for Business Users
On January 13, 2026, Salesforce announced a new AI agent version of Slackbot for Business+ and Enterprise+ customers, enhancing functionality with tasks like drafting emails and scheduling meetings. Read more
OpenAI Acquires Healthcare Startup Torch
OpenAI has acquired the healthcare startup Torch for $100 million. The acquisition aims to integrate Torch's technology into OpenAI's ChatGPT Health service. Read more
OpenAI Appoints New Head of AI Strategy
OpenAI has appointed Brice Challamel as the Head of AI Strategy and Adoption, focusing on helping enterprises commercialize AI responsibly. Read more
Hupo Raises $10M to Shift Focus to AI Sales Coaching
Hupo, initially a mental wellness startup, has secured $10 million in Series A funding to pivot towards AI-powered sales coaching for the banking, financial services, and insurance sectors. Read more
BookAI Secures Seed Funding and AIoT Partnership
BookAI has announced the opening of its Seed Round financing after a successful presentation at CES 2026. The company aims to revolutionize the global IP economy by transforming static content into interactive IntelliBooks. Read more
FIFA Partners with Stats Perform for Betting Data Rights
FIFA has selected Stats Perform as the official distributor for betting data and live-streaming rights for the 2026 World Cup and other competitions, under a three-year agreement. Read more
Walmart and Google Partner for AI Shopping Experience
Walmart and Google have teamed up to integrate Walmart's products with Google's AI technology, aiming to enhance the shopping experience through personalized recommendations and fast delivery. Read more
Home Depot and Google Cloud Unveil AI Tools for Contractors
At NRF 2026, Home Depot and Google Cloud announced new AI tools to aid homeowners and contractors, enhancing the Magic Apron assistant and materials list generation. Read more
SK Hynix to Invest $13 Billion in Chip Plant
SK Hynix plans to invest 19 trillion won in a new chip packaging plant in South Korea to meet AI-driven demand for memory chips. Construction will start in April and finish by the end of 2027. Read more
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