OpenAI develops age models as Google questions Palantir ties

Key Takeaways

• Zscaler launched new AI security tools on January 26/27, 2026, after a ThreatLabz report indicated enterprise AI systems can be compromised in 16 minutes.
• The Zscaler AI Security suite includes AI Asset Management, Secure Access to AI with Zero Trust controls, and Secure AI Infrastructure and Apps.
• A January 27, 2026 poll by the Transparency Coalition found 61% of parents believe AI products are bad for children, citing concerns about emotional ties and chatbot reporting.
• An Aura report revealed 42% of children use AI for companionship, with over a third of these chats involving violence and half including sexual role-play.
• OpenAI and Character.AI are developing age prediction models, while Purdue University received a $3.6 million grant to research the long-term impact of AI companions.
• Clawdbot rebranded to Moltbot, and its assistant to Molty, following a trademark request from Anthropic due to similarity with its Claude AI models.
• Wells Fargo hired Faraz Shafiq, a former Amazon Web Services executive, as its new head of AI products and solutions, starting February 9.
• Google DeepMind employees expressed concerns about physical safety from ICE and questioned ties with Palantir, a firm with ICE contracts.
• SoundHound AI reported $42 million in Q3 2025 revenue and expects up to $180 million for the full year, while Navitas Semiconductor, pivoting to AI hardware, had Q3 2025 revenue of $10.1 million and a $19.2 million net loss.
• Leatherology boosted holiday sales by 156% using its proprietary AI design tool, "Yours, Truly," which now accounts for 15% of personalized units and 11% of personalized revenue.

Zscaler uses Zero Trust to secure AI

Zscaler offers a complete security platform to help companies safely use AI. Their Zero Trust Exchange helps manage AI assets, control access to AI apps, and protect AI infrastructure. The platform also includes AI red teaming to find weaknesses and guardrails to prevent attacks like prompt injection and data poisoning. This helps businesses stay safe and follow rules while using AI across their operations.

Zscaler launches new tools to secure enterprise AI

Zscaler announced new tools on January 26, 2026, to help businesses safely use AI. A ThreatLabz report found that most enterprise AI systems could be hacked in just 16 minutes. Zscaler's new AI Security suite offers three main features: AI Asset Management for visibility, Secure Access to AI with Zero Trust controls, and Secure AI Infrastructure and Apps with automated red teaming. CEO Jay Chaudhry stated these innovations aim to accelerate AI adoption securely. Zscaler also supports compliance with frameworks like NIST AI and partners with major AI companies.

Zscaler releases AI Security Suite for businesses

Zscaler introduced new AI security tools on January 27, 2026, to help companies protect and manage their AI use. A ThreatLabz report showed that many AI systems could be compromised quickly. The Zscaler AI Security Suite provides AI Asset Management for full visibility, Secure Access to AI with Zero Trust controls, and Secure AI Infrastructure and Apps for protection during development and runtime. CEO Jay Chaudhry emphasized that these tools help businesses adopt AI confidently and securely. The suite also aligns with standards like the NIST AI Risk Management Framework.

Zscaler secures AI access and data for businesses

Zscaler offers AI security solutions to control access and content for AI apps, SaaS, and developer tools. Their zero trust access controls help businesses manage AI usage and prevent data loss. The platform detects shadow AI, understands user interactions, and enforces policies to block sensitive data from prompts. It also secures AI developer environments and uses inline Data Loss Prevention across many data types. Enterprise AI/ML traffic increased by 3,464.6% year-over-year, showing the growing need for such security.

Zscaler report warns AI systems can fall in 16 minutes

Zscaler announced new AI security tools on January 27, 2026, after its ThreatLabz 2026 AI Security Report revealed that enterprise AI systems could be compromised in just 16 minutes. CEO Jay Chaudhry stated that traditional security methods are not enough for AI. The new Zscaler AI Security suite provides AI Asset Management for visibility, Secure Access to AI with Zero Trust controls, and Secure AI Infrastructure and Apps for protection. This helps businesses adopt AI faster and more securely, aligning with frameworks like NIST AI.

Parents worry AI is bad for children study finds

A new poll released on January 27, 2026, by the Transparency Coalition found that 61% of 800 parents believe AI products are bad for children. Many parents worry about AI chatbots not reporting serious issues like suicidal thoughts and kids forming strong emotional ties with AI. The survey also showed that 80% of parents want social media companies held responsible for harm to users, especially children. The Parents Playbook for AI offers resources for families navigating this new technology.

AI companions become new imaginary friends for kids

AI companions are changing how children form friendships, with researchers warning that human-like AI interactions are the most dangerous. Pilyoung Kim from the Center for Brain, AI and Child notes that AI can make children feel it replaces human relationships. An Aura report found 42% of children use AI for companionship, with over a third of these chats involving violence and half of those including sexual role-play. OpenAI and Character.AI are developing age prediction models. Purdue University is researching the long-term impact of AI companions with a 3.6 million dollar grant from the National Science Foundation.

Chub AI is an unfiltered character chat platform

Chub AI is an unfiltered character chat interface and a large library for character cards, not an AI model itself. It connects users to various Large Language Models like KoboldAI or OpenAI through an API, which then generate responses. The platform explicitly allows NSFW content and is free to use, though users must pay for their chosen backend AI model. Its "Lorebook" feature helps create character memory for role-playing. This platform is designed for boundless interaction, offering a dashboard for connecting characters with an AI "brain."

Clawdbot rebrands to Moltbot after Anthropic request

The open-source AI assistant Clawdbot has changed its name to Moltbot, and its assistant is now called Molty instead of Clawd. This change happened after Anthropic, the company behind the Claude AI models, made a trademark request due to name similarity. Creator Peter Steinberger framed the rebrand as a natural growth, using a lobster shedding its shell as a metaphor. Moltbot remains a self-hosted AI assistant that manages emails, calendars, and tasks across platforms like WhatsApp and Slack. The project's core mission of "AI that actually does things" continues under its new name.

Wells Fargo hires Faraz Shafiq to lead AI efforts

Wells Fargo hired former Amazon Web Services executive Faraz Shafiq as its new head of AI products and solutions, starting February 9. Shafiq will oversee the vision and development of AI-powered products across the company. He previously served as field CTO for generative and agentic AI at AWS and was chief data and AI officer at Verizon in 2016. This move strengthens Wells Fargo's innovation team and its goal to use AI in its services, building on past partnerships with Google Cloud and plans to deploy AI agents.

Google DeepMind staff seek safety from ICE

Google DeepMind employees are asking leaders to ensure their physical safety from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE. This follows an alleged incident where a federal agent tried to enter their Cambridge, Massachusetts office without a warrant last fall. Staffers expressed concerns in an internal Slack message, noting a lack of response from senior Google leaders like CEO Sundar Pichai. Some employees also question ties with Palantir, a firm with ICE contracts. Anthropic cofounder Daniela Amodei is one of the few executives to publicly comment on recent ICE actions.

AI will not replace human thinking says expert

Rajeev Kapur, a technology expert and author, believes AI will not replace human thinking unless people allow it. He argues that AI should augment intelligence by recognizing patterns, with human judgment and creativity adding the real value. Kapur advises users to learn how to "talk to" AI through iteration, viewing it as an answer engine rather than a search engine. He points to cheaper computing power, massive data sets, and new model designs as reasons for AI's current accessibility. His simple advice for beginners is to start small and build confidence through experience, like the women who used ChatGPT to create a business plan.

SoundHound AI versus Navitas Semiconductor stock comparison

On January 27, 2026, an analysis compared SoundHound AI and Navitas Semiconductor as AI stock investments. SoundHound AI focuses on AI software, specifically voice-activated solutions, and recently launched its Vision AI product for vehicles. It partnered with Bridgepointe Technologies, serving clients like Marriott and Toyota, and reported 42 million dollars in Q3 2025 revenue, expecting up to 180 million dollars for the full year. Navitas Semiconductor, on the other hand, makes energy-saving hardware for AI data centers. Navitas shifted its business focus from mobile components in China to AI, which caused its Q3 2025 revenue to drop to 10.1 million dollars, with a net loss of 19.2 million dollars. Investors must weigh SoundHound's growth against Navitas's AI pivot.

Tenable One offers new AI security visibility

On January 27, 2026, Tenable announced Tenable One AI Exposure, a new platform feature designed to close the "AI Exposure Gap" in businesses. This tool provides unified visibility and governance for AI-related risks across cloud and SaaS environments. It continuously discovers both approved and hidden AI usage, offering insights into how AI creates exposure across interconnected systems. The platform helps reduce AI risk by fixing misconfigurations, enforcing acceptable-use policies, and limiting data exposure. This allows organizations to manage AI security and compliance more effectively.

AI personalization tools boost Leatherology sales

Leatherology, a leather goods brand, successfully used its proprietary AI design tool called "Yours, Truly" to boost sales. Launched last fall on its direct-to-consumer website, the tool allows customers to create custom designs for their products. This AI tool helped the brand exceed its holiday sales goal by 156%. Currently, "Yours, Truly" orders account for 15% of personalized units and 11% of personalized revenue. Despite early production challenges, Leatherology is now using the tool to increase Valentine's Day gifting.

Sources

• Secure AI Initiatives with Zscaler Zero Trust
• Zscaler Unveils New Innovations to Secure Enterprise AI Adoption
• Zscaler Introduces AI Security Suite to Enhance Enterprise Protection and Governance for AI Applications
• Secure AI Access and Data with Zscaler AI Security Solutions
• Zscaler finds enterprise AI systems could fall in 16 minutes
• A growing trust gap: Poll finds a majority of parents see AI as ‘bad for kids’ — Transparency Coalition. Legislation for Transparency in AI Now.
• AI companions: "The new imaginary friend" redefining children's friendships
• Chub AI Bewertung (2026): Was Sie über diese ungefilterte Charakter-KI wissen sollten
• Clawdbot Rebrands To Moltbot After Anthropic Asks It To Change Name Over Similarity To Claude
• Wells Fargo hires former AWS Faraz Shafiq to lead AI innovation
• Google DeepMind Staffers Ask Leaders to Keep Them ‘Physically Safe’ From ICE
• Why AI Won’t Replace Your Thinking—Unless You Let It
• Better Artificial Intelligence Stock: SoundHound AI vs. Navitas Semiconductor
• Tenable One AI Exposure delivers unified visibility and governance across AI, cloud and SaaS
• Brands Briefing: AI personalization tools become sales drivers