How Will People Generate Wealth If AI Does Everything? Sam Altman’s Surprising Take!

Hey WA fam,

I just finished watching this 5 min video—“How Will People Generate Wealth If AI Does Everything?”—and it's left me with more questions than answers (in the best way possible).

If you haven’t seen it yet, the video explores a future where AI handles most human jobs. And that leads to a big, uncomfortable question:

If AI ends up replacing the majority of jobs, who’s left to buy the products and services AI creates? With what money?

We’re already seeing the impact, customer service roles shrinking, AI writing code, designing graphics.,, even content created in minutes by AI tools. It's easy to imagine a world where hiring a human just doesn’t make economic sense anymore.

But here’s the twist: if no one's employed, then no one’s earning. And if no one’s earning... who’s spending?

That’s the paradox the video touches on, but doesn’t fully answer.

So Where Would the Money Even Come From?

One comment under the video really nailed this concern. It said:

"He doesn't answer the question. Wealth won't be generated if 99% of the population is unemployed. If everyone had an AI agent for free, they wouldn’t be able to make anything that could be sold to anyone, because no one would have money. Where's the money for UBI(Universal Basic Income) coming from? ‘Income tax’? The wealth generated from AI? Who’s subscribing to OpenAI when they’re unemployed? How is Microsoft selling Windows on new laptops if the masses can’t afford new laptops? This is a paradox.”

It’s a fair point. If the economy depends on consumer spending, and consumers no longer have jobs or income, how does that economy function?

Does AI create new forms of wealth we haven’t yet imagined? Or does it make things so abundant and cheap that ownership and profit become obsolete concepts? These are big, important questions and no one has clear answers yet.

Why This Conversation Matters to Us at WA

As affiliate marketers and online entrepreneurs, we’re not just watching this unfold, we’re right in the middle of it.

We’re using AI tools, adapting to the changes, and trying to stay ahead. But it’s also worth stepping back and thinking: Where is this all going?

If the traditional economic model shifts completely, how do we build sustainable businesses? How do we continue creating value? And who exactly is the future customer?

These aren’t doomsday thoughts. They’re essential reflections for anyone building a digital business in a fast-changing world.

What Do You Think?

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this:

• Is the concern in the comment valid?
• Do you think AI will generate new wealth streams or just replace existing ones?
• And what would a truly AI-driven economy mean for people like us, working online and building businesses?

Looking forward to your insights,

Jivita