Artificial intelligence is everywhere in the headlines, and many are calling it the biggest boom since the internet revolution. Some compare it to the dot-com bubble, while others see it as a lasting shift that will reshape how businesses, investors, and individuals operate.

What's clear is that the ripple effects go far beyond tech companies — they reach into borrowing costs, retirement accounts, and even the everyday tools we use. The question is: how do we separate hype from reality, and what does that mean for us as investors and participants in this new economy?