This week, we check out the best tech and AI products showcased at CES 2026. Then, we look at Meta’s massive nuclear energy deals set to power its next AI model, Prometheus. Let’s dive in ⬇️

In today’s newsletter ↓
🌌 The most innovative highlights from CES 2026
⚛️ Meta bets big on nuclear reactors
🚫 xAI turns off Grok images for non-paid X users
📊 The myths and dark truths behind AI layoffs
⚡ Weekly Challenge: Use AI to audit your digital ID

The Las Vegas Strip was transformed into a playground for the future this week as CES 2026 officially wrapped up. While previous years focused on the wow factor of massive screens, this year was defined by utility, integration, and the quiet power of AI living within our objects. From the living room to the commute, the theme was clear: technology is no longer something we look at, but something that looks out for us.

CES 2026 moved beyond flashy screens to showcase ambient intelligence, where technology fades into the background of our daily lives. One of the biggest surprises was the mui Board, a touch-sensitive wooden interface that hides its display until you need it, proving that smart homes don't have to look like data centers.

IKEA also made a massive splash with its Matter-compatible lineup, bringing affordable, high-design smart lighting and sensors to the masses. These devices aren't just gadgets; they are designed to be "invisible assistants" that manage your environment without constant notifications.

The era of the screenless assistants arrived in force this year. The Subtle Voicebuds stole the show by using AI models to transcribe voice even in the loudest environments or at a whisper. Even more futuristic were the Naqi Neural Earbuds, which translate facial muscle signals into digital commands, allowing hands-free control of devices through subtle gestures.

Meanwhile, the OMI wearable brought Always-on ChatGPT to the lapel, moving conversational AI away from the smartphone and into an ambient, wearable format that listens and learns throughout your day.

From the SwitchBot Onero H1 robot that handles household chores to Hyundai’s MobED droid, the focus of robotics was on practical utility rather than novelties. We saw a massive surge in AI-powered chips and hardware designed to handle complex tasks locally on the device.

Even the world of play got an upgrade with Lego's Smart Play system, which uses sensors and "Smart Bricks" to bring physical builds to life with sound and motion, bridging the gap between digital interaction and physical toys.

Meta is betting heavily on nuclear energy to sustain the massive power requirements of its AI roadmap. The company recently announced landmark agreements to unlock up to 6.6 GW of nuclear energy by 2035.

This investment is essential for the Prometheus AI supercluster, which requires constant electricity available around the clock. Unlike traditional renewables, nuclear provides the firm power needed to run advanced data centers without interruption, ensuring that the next generation of AI remains online and efficient.

The strategy includes extending the life of current plants while funding next-generation technology. Meta’s partnership with Oklo supports the construction of fast-reactor designs in Ohio, creating thousands of local jobs in the process.

At the same time, the agreement with TerraPower focuses on deploying Natrium units capable of generating 2.8 GW of baseload energy. By providing business certainty, Meta is helping these developers raise capital and accelerate the buildout of American energy infrastructure to meet future tech demands.

This massive commitment reinforces tech leaders need to outcompete national and international competition in both AI and nuclear innovation. Access to reliable, carbon-free power is now a critical bottleneck for tech dominance as global competition intensifies.

Meta pays the full costs for its energy consumption to ensure residential consumers are not burdened by these massive infrastructure improvements, but lets see how long that lasts. As AI continues to scale, these projects secure the physical foundation needed for a digital future powered by clean, reliable energy that supports both innovation and local economies.

🔞 X halts all image generation for all non-paid users

📰 AI guardrails demanded after false report harms brewery

💼 The truth about AI layoffs and corporate productivity myths

⚖️ AI images distort the truth behind ICE shooting

💸 OpenAI acquires another AI startup and its team

📱 Deepfake text lands woman upset, bewildered, and in jail

Here is how to clean it up:

1️⃣ Run a self-search: Search for your full name and location in a private browser window. Copy the titles and descriptions of the first 10 results into a text file.

2️⃣ Identify the narrative Paste that text into your preferred AI and ask: "Based on these search results, what is the professional and personal vibe I am projecting to a potential employer or stranger?"

3️⃣ Spot the red flags: Ask the AI to look for "high-risk" information in that list, such as old personal addresses, outdated contact info, or unprofessional social threads you forgot about.

4️⃣ Draft the fixes: For any unwanted results, ask the AI to draft short, polite "Right to Erasure" or data removal requests to send to the relevant webmasters or platforms.

5️⃣ Optimize for the future: Have the AI rewrite your current LinkedIn "About" section to better align with the professional identity you actually want to project in 2026.

CES 2026 was a hit, but how long will we have to wait for the new tech to hit the market? Meanwhile, will Meta’s nuclear push spark a new energy arms race? Hit reply and let us know your thoughts.

Zoe from Overclocked