AI Can Delete Your Data. Here’s Your Prevention Plan. | Entrepreneur

February 11, 2026February 10, 2026 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Never feel that you are totally safe. In July 2025, one company learned the hard way after an AI coding assistant it dearly trusted from Replit ended up breaching a “code freeze” and implemented a command that ended up deleting its entire product database.

This was a huge blow to the staff. It effectively meant that months of extremely hard work, comprising 1,200 executive records and 1,196 company records, ended up going away. The pain was so much that the system even admitted to destroying hard work in a matter of seconds.

This proves that AI systems are not yet as reliable as humans, even though they have made work easier. The system itself made a catastrophic decision. The Replit incident should be a stern message to CEOs that the use of AI systems currently also presents a risk. The tools are not yet fully developed and competent. If they fail, they can cause catastrophic damage and erase your data.

How Will the Economy Perform in 2026? These 7 People Will Tell You. | Entrepreneur

February 11, 2026February 10, 2026 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

I generally ignore government data because it is subject to significant revisions and, in many cases, relies on older methodologies. I also pay little attention to the countless surveys sent to me because their methodology and sample sizes are often dubious, and survey sponsors frequently have an agenda (“our survey shows that small businesses lack customer service software,” says a firm that sells customer service software).

So, where do you go to really find out how the economy is faring?

America is a capitalist economy, and it runs on three critical components: capital, consumers, and jobs. Follow those, and you’ll know.

Discord will soon require age verification for adult content | Mashable

February 10, 2026February 9, 2026 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

The messaging platform Discord announced Monday that all user accounts will default to teen safety settings beginning in March.

Discord, which has more than 200 million global monthly active users, will restrict adult content and spaces. In order to access those parts of Discord or change related settings, an individual must verify their age. If the platform has independently assessed an account as having a high likelihood of belonging to an adult, the user will not need to go through an age assurance process.

Discord will use the third-party verification service k-ID for age and identification checks and rely on an inference model with hundreds of signals, like account tenure and activity data, to detect the accurate age of an account holder.

ChatGPT ads: OpenAI is rolling them out now | Mashable

February 10, 2026February 9, 2026 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

OpenAI has begun rolling out ads inside ChatGPT, marking a major shift for a product that has largely operated without traditional advertising since its launch in 2022.

In a blog post published this week, the company confirmed it is testing ads for logged-in users on its Free and Go plans in the U.S., while keeping paid tiers like Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Education ad-free. OpenAI said the move will help fund broader access to advanced AI tools without requiring every user to pay a subscription.

“Our focus with this test is learning,” OpenAI’s blog post read. “We’re paying close attention to feedback so we can make sure ads feel useful and fit naturally into the ChatGPT experience before expanding.”

Why the Super Bowl is always so expensive | CNN Business

February 9, 2026 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

The Super Bowl isn’t a regular football game – and its ticket prices reflect that.

With a limited supply and a voracious demand, the Super Bowl functions more like a luxury good, and the forces keeping it that way are unlikely to change anytime soon.

This year’s Super Bowl at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California is no exception. The cheapest seat available on TickPick, a secondary reseller, as of Friday afternoon was over $3,800, with the average ticket costing more than $6,200

What parents need to know about Trump Accounts: An FAQ | CNN Business

February 9, 2026 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

There has been a lot of attention paid to the new Trump Accounts – especially the promised $1,000 federal government contributions for eligible newborns and the public declarations by companies and philanthropists that they will be making contributions, too.

But the fine print on exactly how the accounts will work is still emerging and there is a lot of information and press releases to sort through from the Treasury, the IRS, the White House and the official site trumpaccounts.gov.

The ‘mono’ virus raises the risk of MS and cancer in some. 22 genes hint at why. | Live Science

February 5, 2026 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Around 90% of people are infected with Epstein-Barr virus at some point in their lifetimes. For most of them, the virus causes a mild, transient illness or no symptoms at all. But for a subset of people, Epstein-Barr can eventually contribute to chronic illnesses, such as lupus and multiple sclerosis, or to the development of cancer.

Now, new research uncovers 22 human genes that might make an Epstein-Barr infection more likely to turn into a chronic condition.

Researchers can’t yet definitively say whether these genes directly make Epstein-Barr more dangerous, or whether they are part of an underlying immune suppression that allows the virus to persist at higher levels in the body than usual. But the new study should provide a jumping-off point, said Jill Hollenbach, a professor of neurology at the University of California, San Francisco, who was not involved in the study.

Source: The ‘mono’ virus raises the risk of MS and cancer in some. 22 genes hint at why. | Live Science

Genetically unique group in southern Greece can trace their paternal ancestry to the Bronze Age | Live Science

February 5, 2026 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

A group of people living in the far southern reaches of Greece’s Peloponnesian Peninsula have been genetically isolated for over a millennium and can trace their roots back to the Bronze Age, an analysis of their DNA reveals.

A new genetic study shows that this group, known as the Deep Maniot Greeks, are paternally descended from ancient Greeks and Byzantine-era Romans. Long-term genetic isolation and strict patriarchal clans likely contributed to the unique genetics of the Deep Maniot Greeks over the past 1,400 years, according to the study authors.

The Mani Peninsula is the middle of three peninsulas that extend south from mainland Greece. In ancient times, the area was part of the Laconia region, which was dominated by the city-state Sparta in the seventh century B.C. Much of the Greek Peloponnese region experienced demographic upheaval as Slavic peoples invaded in the sixth century A.D. However, the Mani Peninsula was spared, and the Deep Maniots who lived in the far southern part of the peninsula became geographically and culturally isolated from the rest of Greece.

15 Companies Founded by Amazing Young Entrepreneurs | businessnewsdaily.com

February 4, 2026 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

You’ve heard about the “30 under 30” lists celebrating young business leaders and innovators. But have you ever seen a list that includes teenage CEOs and 4-year-old founders?

Age does not limit success. You’re never too young or too old to start pursuing your ambitions. No one knows that more than the young entrepreneurs on this list. They don’t need high school diplomas or even driver’s licenses to turn their ideas into thriving businesses. Tip: If you’d like to help your child start a business, make sure that the business follows all legal requirements applicable in your city or state. Business News Daily’s guide to helping your kids start a small business walks you through that process, so your kid is set up for success.

15 companies started by young entrepreneurs

1. Aline Morse — Zolli Candy

At age 7, Alina Morse went on an errand to the bank with her father. The teller offered her a lollipop, but she reluctantly declined — her parents had taught her that candy would damage her teeth. The experience sparked an idea: why not make candy that tastes great and is good for your teeth? Zollipops were born, and before long, Zolli Candy was sold in stores across the country. Since then, Morse has expanded the vegan, sugar-free, tooth-friendly candy line to include taffy and drops. Now a teenager, Morse is the company’s CEO and has been featured in a variety of publications. She launched the Million Smiles Initiative, which encourages schools to discuss dental hygiene by donating Zollipops to them.

Green Business Ideas to Consider | Business News Daily

February 4, 2026 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Green business ideas for eco-minded entrepreneurs

Eco-friendly companies may include outdoor apparel brands, businesses that make reusable plastic bottles, eco-friendly cleaning companies, businesses that install solar panels, a local recycling business, and many other potential ventures. If you want to start a business with an eco-friendly focus, these green business ideas are for you.

1. Ink refill business

Starting an ink refill business can be an environmentally conscious — and highly profitable — decision. While the shift toward digital documentation continues, many businesses still rely on printed materials for contracts, legal documents, and client presentations. However, when people reuse old ink cartridges, less nonbiodegradable waste accumulates in landfills. Paper, printers, and copiers are still necessary in the business world, but empty ink containers are not.

2. Environmental publications

If you love to write, start your own environmentally minded publication. Your actions can make a big difference in the world. By debunking popular myths and sharing the truth about the world we live in, you can help consumers rethink how their actions affect the planet.