AI data privacy for small business is no longer optional — it’s one of the most urgent challenges entrepreneurs face today. In Episode 135 of The Profit Minds Podcast, Dr. Steven Kirch sits down with Daniel Nikic, founder of COHRES, a boutique investment research firm, who has personally analyzed over 8,000 AI companies. Together, they reveal exactly where the opportunity meets the risk — and what every business owner must do right now to protect their data while leveraging the power of AI.
In this episode, Dr. Kirch and Daniel Nikic break down everything you need to know about using AI safely and strategically in your business:
Daniel Nikic is the founder of COHRES. It is a boutique investment research firm. He has deep expertise in AI, data, and global markets. His background spans management consulting, real estate, and venture capital. He has worked across Canada, Europe, and the Middle East. Daniel has been training AI models since 2015. That was long before ChatGPT even existed. This makes him one of the most credible voices on AI data privacy for small business owners today.
Most small business owners don’t realize that when they use the free version of ChatGPT, their conversations are being used to train the model. As Daniel explains in this episode, anything under an NDA or legal agreement should never be entered into an AI tool.
The risks are real — from data breaches to lawsuits, the consequences of ignoring AI data privacy for small business can be devastating.
Dr. Kirch adds that every organization needs a clear internal AI policy that defines which models employees can use, what data is permitted, and how to mitigate the risk of AI hallucinations. As Daniel correctly puts it: “Imagine you got hacked — would you be able to sleep the next day?”
One of the most eye-opening moments in this episode is the discussion around DeepSeek vs. ChatGPT. Dr. Kirch shares why he personally would never use DeepSeek, citing concerns about data potentially being routed back to China with no legal recourse for American businesses.
Daniel adds that global clients — including those in Saudi Arabia — are actively comparing both tools to decide which serves them best. The bottom line? Always double-check the security policies of any AI platform before feeding it your business data.
Beyond AI data privacy, Daniel shares fascinating insights into the emerging Middle East investment opportunity. Having spent several months in the region over the past two years, he sees Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar as major growth markets attracting top private equity firms and global corporations alike. For entrepreneurs looking to grow internationally, Daniel’s message is clear: you cannot afford to think only domestically in today’s interconnected world.
Download The Global Investment Playbook — a concise, practical guide to evaluating opportunities, spotting red flags in financials, and understanding emerging markets. Make sharper, more confident business and investment decisions starting today.
👉 Download here: danielnikic.com
Dr. Steven Kirch is the creator of the Profit Minds™ Growth System, which helps entrepreneurs and professionals accelerate profits through productivity, scalable systems, and AI-powered business strategies.
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