Let's move past the tired “Is AI a bubble?” debate and ask the bigger question: What happens after the buildout—when trillions of dollars of AI data centers translate into real economic output. Co-hosts Ben Miller and Cardiff Garcia frame AI as a new kind of factory—massive capex producing tokens that can be converted into real white-collar work. Then Ben grounds it with concrete Fundrise examples—AI handling a large share of customer support, strengthening cybersecurity workflows, reshaping marketing/copywriting, and boosting engineering productivity—before zooming out to the macro implications: faster growth, disinflationary pressure, shifting labor vs. capital dynamics, and the possibility of lower rates if productivity wins out.

They also wrestle with the messy part—how adoption, politics, and policy could determine whether AI becomes a broad-based win, a lopsided win-lose, or a stagnation-inducing backlash—and close on practical ideas for adaptation, especially for younger workers.

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For a deeper dive into these insights and more, be sure to listen to the full episode of the Onward podcast.

Have questions or feedback about this episode? Drop us a note at [email protected]. 

Onward is hosted by Ben Miller, co-founder and CEO of Fundrise. Podcast production by The Podcast Consultant. Music by Seaplane Armada. 

About Fundrise 

With over 2 million users, Fundrise is America's largest direct-to-investor alternative asset investment platform. Since 2012, our mission has been to build a better financial system by empowering the individual. We make it easier and more efficient than ever for anyone to invest in institutional-quality private alternative assets — all at the touch of a button. 

Please see fundrise.com/oc for more information on all of the Fundrise-sponsored investment funds and products, including each fund’s offering document(s). 

Want to see the specific assets that make up and power Fundrise portfolios? Check out our active and past projects at www.fundrise.com/assets.