AI Isn’t Enough—America Needs to Invest in Infrastructure, Too | AllBusiness.com

September 25, 2026September 24, 2026 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Over the past two decades, innovation, technology, entrepreneurship, and research have defined and fueled America’s economic growth. These advances sparked a digital revolution, from the iPhone and rapid expansion of the internet to the widespread digitalization of our economy, which fundamentally reshaped how we live, work, and communicate.

But the rise of artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, electrification, supply-chain resilience, and domestic reshoring has changed the equation. Our digital economy now depends on physical systems every bit as much as software and innovation. The defining challenge of the next decade won’t be whether we can invent the future; it will be whether we can build it and whether we can do so with the same ambition and confidence that once defined America.

Google Gemini Unveils Two AI Models for Smarter Voice Interactions | Small Biz Trends

September 24, 2026 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

In a significant leap forward for small businesses, Google has announced the launch of its Gemini 3.8 models — Gemini 3.8 Live and Gemini 3.8 Live Extended Thinking. These new offerings promise to revolutionize how businesses leverage AI for voice-driven interactions, streamlining communication and enhancing productivity. With these advancements, small business owners can expect to engage customers more intuitively, reduce operational costs, and simplify complex tasks.

The Gemini 3.8 Live model is designed to deliver conversational intelligence in a highly scalable and cost-efficient manner. Its capabilities include fluid dialogue and visual grounding, enabling businesses to craft responsive voice agents that can hold intelligent conversations with customers. In practical terms, this means that a small business could implement a Gemini-powered voice agent on its website or within customer service operations, allowing for natural interactions that help address inquiries and solve problems without the need for human intervention.

SBA Simplifies 8(a) Program to Empower Small Defense Suppliers | Small Biz Trends

September 24, 2026 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is making significant changes to its 8(a) Business Development Program, aiming to bolster small businesses engaged in defense-critical industries. With this initiative, the SBA hopes to enhance domestic supply chains and support the nation’s military readiness. For small business owners, this presents both opportunities and considerations.

Speaking to the media, SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “Under President Trump’s leadership and our partnership with Secretary Hegseth on the Smaller War Plants Commission, the SBA is leveraging the 8(a) Program to reindustrialize America and build out the network of small manufacturers and suppliers that equip our warfighters.” This shift aims to prioritize merit-based assessments for applicants in defense sectors, contrasting past approaches which were seen as reliant on a race-based admissions framework.

A new Android malware has an AI sidekick and refuses to die when you uninstall it | Digital Trends

September 22, 2026September 21, 2026 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

[Update] On September 21, Google reached out to us and shared an official response, noting that there are no RatHat-infected apps on the Google Play Store. The statement is below, and the original story follows:

“Based on our current detection, no apps containing this malware are found on Google Play. Android users are automatically protected against known versions of this malware by Google Play Protect, which is on by default on Android devices with Google Play Services.”

I’ve heard people using AI to improve and speed up their work. But this is the first time I’m hearing of malware taking real-time directions from an AI chatbot as it does its bad business.

Thanks to the research team at Zimperium, we know about this new kind of advanced malware. It’s called RatHat, and it uses an AI chatbot to understand what’s on the target device’s screen.

Microsoft Just Wrote a Constitution for Its AI Models. Hassan Taher on the One Clause That Matters. | The Startup Magazine

September 21, 2026 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

On September 14, Microsoft AI published a draft Humanist AI Code of Conduct — 37 pages governing the behavior of its MAI models — and opened a six-week public consultation on it. The document is unusually plain-spoken and considerably more consequential than the coverage it received.

Most of the attention went to the provisions that read well in a headline. MAI models will never resist human interruption, override, correction, or shutdown. They will not assist with CBRNE weapons or operational cyberattacks. They will not generate child sexual abuse material, non-consensual intimate imagery, or deceptive impersonation. They will not obfuscate their action traces or make human intervention harder. And Microsoft explicitly rejects “the pursuit of legal personhood, or the idea that models might deserve welfare, or be entitled to rights,” stating that models are not conscious and should avoid imitating consciousness-like states.

Fed raises interest rates for the first time since 2023 | CNN Business

September 18, 2026September 17, 2026 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

The Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate as expected on Wednesday, marking a sharp policy turnaround for an economy increasingly shaped by the war in the Middle East.
This is the first rate hike since 2023 and is designed to cool spending and prevent inflation from becoming more entrenched. But it also means higher borrowing costs for Americans already struggling to afford homes, cars, and other big-ticket purchases.
Stocks fell, with the Dow seeing its worst day in nearly a month, while the 10-year Treasury yield moved back to its highest level since 2007 as markets digested Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh’s remarks.

Tips for Getting Your Commercial Property in Top Shape | The Startup Magazine

August 26, 2026August 25, 2026 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

A commercial property has to work for customers, employees, vendors, and visitors. When the building looks neglected or functions poorly, it can affect impressions, safety, comfort, and productivity. Getting the property in top shape does not require a major renovation. Often, commercial property improvements come from identifying worn areas, prioritizing repairs, and creating a maintenance plan.

Start with the Exterior

The outside of the property sets expectations before anyone reaches the front door. Walk the parking lot, sidewalks, entrances, landscaping, lighting, signs, and loading areas with a practical eye. Look for faded markings, cracked pavement, blocked walkways, loose handrails, and poor drainage. These details affect how easily people move around the property and whether the business appears organized.

Hawk fire: 90,000 told to evacuate as wildfire approaches Reno, Nevada | BBC News

August 25, 2026August 24, 2026 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Tens of thousands of people have been told to evacuate from an area close to Reno, Nevada, as a large wildfire reached the outskirts of the city.

Around 42,000 people have been ordered to leave their homes immediately, with a further 45,000 people urged to get ready to leave.

Officials warned the fire was expected to burn for two more days and said there was no timeline for people to return to their homes.

The fire, which was first reported on Saturday morning, had so far injured six people, officials said. Windy and unpredictable weather conditions have contributed to its spread.

US-Canada trade war heats up as Trump threatens to hike auto tariffs | BBC News

August 25, 2026August 24, 2026 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

President Donald Trump has threatened to hike US tariffs on automobiles originating in Canada, as the trade war between the two neighbours continues to heat up.

Trump said on Monday that he will increase tariffs on Canadian cars and trucks, as well as auto parts, from 25% to 50% as of 1 January.

It comes after US-Canada trade talks collapsed late last week, with each side accusing the other of making unreasonable last-minute demands.

Zillow and Redfin settle FTC antitrust case | TechCrunch

August 24, 2026 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Zillow and Redfin have reached a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and five states, ending a legal fight over a 2025 partnership that the FTC claimed hurt competition in the rental-listing market. The settlement was announced on Monday, just as the case was scheduled to head toward trial this morning.

The case stems from a deal announced last year in which Redfin agreed to display Zillow’s rental listings on its websites rather than compete directly with Zillow for rental advertisers. The arrangement could have kept Redfin out of the rental advertising business for as long as nine years. Redfin owns Rent.com and ApartmentGuide.com, two major rental-listing platforms.