The promise of artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t just in what it can do today—it’s in how it grows tomorrow. The real winners in this era aren’t the ones merely tapping AI’s potential through third-party tools. They’re the ones who own the systems, steering their evolution and reaping the rewards. This distinction—between using AI and controlling it—marks a fault line in where wealth and influence will concentrate as the technology scales. Explore this shift further in The Three Waves of AI Wealth Creation: From Efficiency to Transformation.
AI’s Biggest Winners Are Not Users—They’re Owners
Most businesses today lean on external AI platforms like OpenAI, Google DeepMind, or Anthropic to power their operations. These tools streamline marketing, automate tasks, and enhance customer service. But the lion’s share of the profits flows to the platform creators—those who built the models, not those who rent them. Ownership, not usage, is where the long-term advantage lies.
Consider a historical parallel: the industrial age didn’t mint millionaires from factory workers wielding machines—it enriched the tycoons who owned the factories. AI follows a similar pattern. Businesses that rely on third-party AI are like tenants in a landlord’s game—paying for access while the real value accrues elsewhere. For more on how wealth has historically been built and sustained, see How Wealth Is Formed and Sustained: A Three-Part Framework.
Case Study: OpenAI vs. Businesses Using ChatGPT
Thousands of companies harness ChatGPT for everything from drafting emails to powering chatbots. Yet OpenAI, the model’s creator, is the one banking billions. Why? Because they hold the keys to the system itself.
- Research and Infrastructure: OpenAI has poured resources into cutting-edge research, vast computing power, and data curation—barriers few can surmount. This gives them a near-monopoly on advanced AI, letting them set premium prices for access.
- Recurring Revenue: Through APIs and subscriptions like ChatGPT Plus or enterprise plans, OpenAI turns users into a steady income stream. Businesses pay month after month, while OpenAI reinvests to widen the gap.
- Strategic Alliances: Deals with giants like Microsoft—who weave OpenAI’s tech into Azure and Copilot—multiply revenue without diluting control.
- Data Advantage: Every interaction with ChatGPT refines the model, creating a self-reinforcing cycle. Users contribute to this improvement, but OpenAI owns the gains.
- Lock-In Effect: Once a business embeds OpenAI’s AI into its workflows, switching costs—time, money, retraining—keep them tethered. Dependency becomes a moat.
The lesson isn’t about OpenAI’s success alone—it’s about what happens when you don’t own the tools you rely on. Businesses that pivot to building or tailoring their own AI could shift the equation. This isn’t guidance—consult an expert before acting.
Strategy: Shift from Renting to Owning AI
Relying on someone else’s AI is a short-term convenience with long-term limits. Imagine a past where printers leased presses instead of owning them—efficiency gained, but power lost. Today, even smaller players can explore open-source models like Llama 2 or Falcon, training them on unique data to fit their needs. The goal isn’t just to use AI—it’s to make it an asset. Learn how small teams can leverage AI’s scalability in How AI Scaling Lets a Few-Person Startup Compete with 200-Person Companies.
Take monetization a step further. Don’t stop at speeding up workflows—turn AI into something you can license or sell. An e-commerce firm, for instance, might train a model to spot buying patterns, then offer those insights as a service to suppliers. This is about building value, not just borrowing it.
AI as a System Changer, Not Just a Tool
Too many see AI as a productivity booster—automating tasks, cutting costs—and stop there. That’s the first wave, and it’s already crowded. The real shift comes in waves two and three:
- Wave 1: Efficiency: Chatbots, content generators, basic automation.
- Wave 2: Enhancement: Smarter decisions through predictive analytics or tailored insights.
- Wave 3: Transformation: AI-native systems that rethink industries, operating autonomously at scale.
Most companies linger in Wave 1, tweaking today’s processes. The bigger prize lies in spotting where AI rewrites the rules—like autonomous logistics or AI-driven healthcare diagnostics. These aren’t just upgrades; they’re new ecosystems. For a deeper dive into AI’s transformative potential, check out How AI Will Transform Capital. This is a tale from the future’s edge, not a playbook for today.
Strategy: Look Beyond Today’s Trends
AI’s ripple effects matter more than its immediate perks. Where will it carve new opportunities—or erase old ones? A marketer using AI to draft ads might save hours, but a firm building an AI that designs and optimizes entire sales funnels in real time could redefine commerce. The wealth lies in seeing those shifts early.
Industries poised for AI-driven upheaval—healthcare, logistics, education—offer clues. History shows that those who rode systemic change, not just tools, came out ahead. Think railroads over horse carts, not faster saddles. The same logic applies here.
Conclusion: AI Amplifies, It Doesn’t Guarantee
AI isn’t a golden ticket—it’s a lever. Success hinges on how you wield it. Those who thrive will:
- Harness unique data to make their AI stand out.
- Use it to sharpen decisions, not sideline them.
- Treat it as a system to reshape, not a shortcut to lean on.
- Control their models, not just tap someone else’s.
The future favors builders over borrowers. In an AI-driven age, wealth flows to those who don’t just ride the wave—they steer the tide. For more on navigating this shift, see Why AI Alone Won’t Make You Rich: The Hidden Factors Behind Wealth in the AI Age.
This isn’t a roadmap—consult an expert before charting your course.