AI is causing a big disruption but the number 1 investment you can make in AI is learn it before you get left behind! Today we talk on the cultural, societal, and economic disruption caused by AI, comparing its transformative potential to that of the industrial age. While traditional frameworks—like working for purpose, identity, and productivity—are deeply ingrained in modern life, AI is rapidly eroding these norms by replacing jobs and altering what it means to be valuable in the workforce. Despite the uncertainty and anxiety around obsolescence, the best current investment is learning how to effectively use AI—not just dabble in it, but truly understand and apply it—as this will separate the empowered from the obsolete in the coming years.

We discuss...

• AI is positioned as a disruptive force akin to the Industrial Revolution, challenging long-standing societal frameworks.
• Modern systems—from schools to corporations—are still rooted in Industrial Age models built for efficiency, not creativity.
• Innovation comes from the small percentage of society willing to think differently, even if they seem eccentric.
• AI represents a fundamental shift in how we think about productivity, identity, and purpose.
• Most people need purpose, and work has traditionally served that function—AI may disrupt this connection.
• People who understand how to use AI will replace those who don’t, creating waves of obsolescence.
• The rise of AI may force society into an identity crisis as traditional roles and functions disappear.
• Many people won’t be able to re-skill fast enough to keep up with AI’s rapid displacement of labor.
• Investing in AI is challenging because major players are private or already priced for perfection.
• The best AI investment today is learning how to use it yourself to create value directly.
• AI can replace high-salary roles with low-cost automation—great for businesses, threatening for workers.
• Replicating your brain in AI gives you a major edge in decision-making and productivity.
• Privacy concerns are fading as people get used to sharing personal data with AI for performance gains.
• Investing in your understanding of AI is the most valuable thing you can do today.
• AI is easy to use—success comes down more to willingness than difficulty.
• Human interaction is the hardest part of work for AI to replicate.
• AI futures range from utopian to dystopian—avoid extreme views and prepare with skills instead.
• The Elon Musk–Donald Trump "bromance breakup" shows how political and business alliances can impact markets.
• “Second-level thinking” is crucial to interpreting events beyond surface-level headlines.

For more information, visit the show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/1-investment-you-can-make-in-ai

Today's Panelists:

• Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth
• Barbara Friedberg | Barbara Friedberg Personal Finance
• Phil Weiss | Apprise Wealth Management
• Douglas Heagren | Pro College Planners
• Megan Gorman | The Wealth Intersection
• Tim Baker | Metric Fin
• Jeff Hulett | Finance Revamp

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