I heard a quote years ago from former NBA player and current broadcaster, Jalen Rose, that I will never forget: "You never get paid what you deserve, only what you have the LEVERAGE to negotiate."
I've thought of that quote many times, it's usually the first thing that pops into my head anytime I hear people complaining about their salary. To be sure -- there are some malignant issues with wealth distribution and the insatiable vultures at or near the top of certain industries and power structures. But that's outside the scope of this, as it's outside of mine or your control, and it's what we can control that ultimately matters to us, and where are focus and energy should be directed. The great thing about living in America, is individuals still have the opportunity to chart their own path and transcend economic boundaries if their smart, clever, hardworking and resilient. Does luck play a role? Of course! However, that's not within my control, and while that luck factor may not be irrelevant -- I do find that the Smarter and harder I work, the luckier I become.
As an undersized linebacker playing football growing up I took solace in the basic physics equation F=M x A^2. Force = Mass X Acceleration^2... While I may have been outsized the leverage point in the equation gave me a strategic advantage. Even if I wasn't the fastest as long as I got into the proper position and accelerated at the right instant and put the crown of my helmet on their chinstrap, I won. Size still mattered, but it was minimized -- targeted velocity was where the true leverage resided.
In the modern business world AI is the most powerful leverage point in a tech environment filled with them. It is, however, a double edged sword that cuts both ways. Improperly applied it doesn't just erode trust -- it slices through it. If you think you're going to outsource your thinking to AI, and you can to a degree, the cost is literally your ability to think for yourself... It's a one way ticket to vulnerability and servitude. But, if you learn to properly augment with AI -- if your use case is to take on new challenges, expand your skillset and broaden your horizons, it can help you get there. But, it's only truly useful in assisting you do things that you understand well enough to teach. it's not a ticket to the top of anything -- More like a ski lift to a new side of the mountain with gnarly terrain -- once you get there it's on you to figure it out, and no one is coming to save you.