KIMP’s Picks January 9th: Weekly Highlights In Design, Marketing, AI, & More
Happy New Year and welcome back to KIMP’s Picks!
Your weekly social media recap is here. Are you ready to kick off the year with a productive weekly roundup? With CES 2026 running from January 6 to 9, this week has been packed with announcements, especially in the AI space. New tools, bold moves from tech brands, and early signals of where tech and social media are headed next – we have them all wrapped up in the KIMP’s Picks January 9th Edition.
Let’s break down what’s happened so far as we step into the new year – social media algorithm updates, AI news and more!
In the Marketing Realm
About shifts in B2B video marketing
LinkedIn recently shared a post delving into the emerging trends in B2B marketing, particularly with respect to the use of videos in marketing.
LinkedIn’s latest B2B insights show that video isn’t just another content format to tick off a list but rather becoming the heart of how B2B brands connect with their audiences. Reportedly, more than three-quarters of B2B marketers already use video, and over half plan to expand its use next year. That’s because video helps boost visibility, builds trust and holds attention in a crowded, AI-heavy marketing world.
So, if you are not already using videos in your B2B strategy, now is a good time to start.
Google is personalizing AI Overviews and updating AI Mode
A recent post from Search Engine Roundtable talks about changes coming to Google’s AI Overviews, particularly about how the focus is shifting toward personalizing the experience. It also talks about how AI Mode is changing.
Google has quietly begun tailoring some of its AI-generated search responses, including AI Overviews and AI Mode results, based on what a user tends to click on or engage with. Google’s Robby Stein confirmed this on a recent podcast, where he explained that the change is still small and largely experimental. The goal is to make responses feel more relevant without disrupting the core search experience.
This move reflects broader trends where AI search tools learn from user behavior and preferences to better tailor content.
Disney unveiled major adtech push at CES 2026
Disney at CES 2026 unveiled some exciting ad tech upgrades that lean into AI, better measurement, and creative support for advertisers. The focus was on giving brands tools to plan, produce, and evaluate campaigns more effectively in an era where attention and data matter.
One big reveal was a new AI-powered video creation tool. It generates connected TV ads using a brand’s existing assets and performance signals, making creative production faster and more tailored. Additionally, Disney introduced the Disney Advertising Brand Impact Metric, which combines attention, brand health, and search outcomes into a single view to show how ads drive real impact.
In the Content Marketing Realm
Brands need LLM optimization to get noticed by AI tools
Semrush shared an insightful discussion exploring the need for brands to start prioritizing LLM optimization as a part of their content marketing strategy.
In short, LLM optimization is about improving how large language models like ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, and Google AI Mode reference your brand in AI search responses. These models generate conversational results or summaries by pulling information from across the web. Hence, it’s not enough to just rank well on search engines, your content needs to be visible to and understood by AI systems.
The article delves into the importance of LLM optimization and some hacks to perform it.
In the Design Realm
Brand identity design that stands out
The Brand Identity has shared a post discussing the brand identity created for a new brand called Fauxliage. The design team has reimagined how artificial plants are seen by turning them into thoughtfully designed lifestyle objects under a new brand called Fauxliage.
Historically, faux florals carried a reputation for low quality and cheap décor. This project flips that perception by creating a visual identity rooted in realism, sophistication, and modern living. The goal was to position artificial botanicals not as mere imitations but as design pieces that feel intentionally made and visually striking.
The brand’s identity blends organic forms with structured design cues, inspired by Art Nouveau tile work to reflect natural rhythm and shape. The project demonstrates how meaningful designs help brands stand out.
In the AI Realm
OpenAI introduces ChatGPT Health
Considering that about 230 million people use AI tools like ChatGPT every week for a lot of health and wellness-related conversations, OpenAI has introduced ChatGPT Health. This is a new dedicated space designed to help people better understand and manage their health using ChatGPT’s intelligence, grounded in their own data.
This new experience brings all the scattered health information into one place. This makes it easier for users to prepare for doctor visits, understand test results, track trends, and navigate everyday health decisions.
OpenAI has opened the waitlist for early access.
Razer introduces a personalized AI desk companion
Razer has revealed the next phase of Project AVA. The latest update expands it from an esports AI coach into a fully featured AI desk companion. First introduced at CES 2025, AVA now blends animated holographic avatars, adaptive AI intelligence, and deep personalization to support both gaming and everyday life.
At the center of the experience is a 5-inch animated hologram designed to feel expressive and human. AVA uses eye tracking, facial expressions, lip sync, and natural movement to create more engaging interactions.
Moreover, users can choose from different avatars, including Razer characters and esports-inspired personalities, and match them with tones ranging from bold to calm. This demonstrates how brands are pushing creative boundaries when it comes to AI-powered applications.
xAI raises $20 billion for massive AI infrastructure expansion
xAI has closed an upsized Series E funding round, raising $20 billion, well above its original $15 billion target. The round includes major investors and strategic backers, NVIDIA and Cisco, who are supporting xAI’s rapid expansion of large-scale compute infrastructure.
By building the world’s most powerful compute infrastructure, xAI aims to accelerate the development of its upcoming Grok 5 model.
With Grok 5 currently in training, xAI is positioning itself to challenge the biggest names in AI by leveraging real-time data from 𝕏 and unprecedented raw processing power.
Uber enters the robotaxi segment
Renowned ride-hailing company Uber has announced its entry into the robotaxi segment. Uber, Lucid Group, and autonomous tech firm Nuro revealed a production-ready robotaxi at CES 2026 in Las Vegas. This showcases a major step toward commercial autonomous ride services later this year.
The robotaxi is based on Lucid’s Gravity electric SUV and uses Nuro’s Level 4 self-driving system powered by Nvidia’s DRIVE AGX Thor platform. The design includes a sensor “halo” for 360-degree awareness and an Uber-designed interior with interactive screens for climate, music, route info, and ride support. And reportedly, on-road testing for the robotaxi began in December 2025 in the San Francisco Bay Area with safety operators onboard.
Amazon’s Alexa comes to web
Amazon is rolling out a web version of its AI-powered assistant, Alexa+, letting users access its capabilities from any browser via Alexa.com. Previously available only on Echo devices and the Alexa mobile app, Alexa+ is now accessible through web browsers.
The web experience goes beyond simple Q&A. Alexa+ delivers contextual help that spans real tasks like managing calendars, planning meals with Amazon Fresh, controlling smart home devices, making reservations, and even keeping your to-do list in sync across devices. In addition to these features, conversations with Alexa on the web carry memory and context so users can start on one screen and continue on another.
Amazon expands Alexa+ to more devices
In addition to bringing Alexa to web, Amazon is also expanding Alexa+ access to more devices. At CES 2026, Amazon announced major partnerships to embed voice-driven AI in everyday tech.
The new integrations announced include Samsung smart TVs, BMW vehicles, Bosch coffee machines, and Oura health rings.
This also opens up new developments like the fact that for the first time, Alexa+ will run natively on third-party Samsung TVs, letting users control entertainment, smart home devices, and more with natural voice commands.
NVIDIA’s new open AI models
NVIDIA has announced a huge set of open-source models, datasets, and tools designed to move AI from the digital screen into the physical world. This release features the Nemotron family for intelligent agents, the Cosmos platform for physical AI, and the brand-new Alpamayo line for autonomous vehicle development.
Also, to accelerate global innovation, NVIDIA is sharing a collection of open data, including 10 trillion language tokens, 100 terabytes of vehicle sensor data, and nearly half a million protein structures.
Developers also get access to open training code, simulation tools, and blueprints through platforms like GitHub and Hugging Face.
Social Media Feature Updates and Algorithm Changes
Meta welcomes the new year with new features on WhatsApp
WhatsApp is rolling out new features to make group chats easier to manage and more expressive. The update focuses on helping people identify roles, stand out in conversations, and stay on top of group plans.
To begin with, users can now add custom member tags for each group, making it clear who they are in different contexts. WhatsApp is also introducing text stickers. Any word can now be turned into a sticker using Sticker Search, giving users a quick way to add emphasis or personality to messages. These stickers can be saved directly to sticker packs for reuse.
Group event planning gets an upgrade too. When creating an event, users can now set custom early reminders, so invitees don’t miss meetings, calls, or celebrations.
TikTok launches a new feature for sports fans on the platform
TikTok has introduced GamePlan, a new product suite built to help sports teams, leagues, and broadcasters convert fan attention into real action.
With most sports fans using TikTok as a second screen during live events, the platform is positioning itself as a key driver of discovery and engagement.
GamePlan adds an anchor link to sports videos that leads to a dedicated in-app hub. Here, fans can follow official accounts, check schedules and standings, buy tickets, add games to calendars, and create their own content.
Reddit’s new AI-powered Max campaigns
Reddit is introducing Max campaigns, a new AI-driven automated tool designed to maximize ad performance with minimal manual effort. By using Reddit Community Intelligence, this system predicts the value of every single impression and automatically adjusts targeting, creative combinations, and bidding in real time.
Early tests have shown impressive results, with advertisers seeing a 17% decrease in cost per action and a 27% increase in total conversions compared to traditional manual setups.
Unlike other automated ad products, Max campaigns offer what Reddit calls open-box reporting. Max campaigns are currently available in limited beta for traffic and conversion objectives, with wider access coming soon.
Wrapping Up…
That’s it for this week’s KIMP’s Picks. Hardly a week has gone by, yet there have already been plenty of interesting updates. 2026 has clearly kicked off with a bang, making it more important than ever to stay on top of what’s happening in the tech world. But doomscrolling isn’t the only way to catch up. KIMP’s Picks is here to keep you in the loop. Stay tuned, and we’ll be back soon with another round of updates. See you right back here next week
