How to Become a Millionaire with AI in 2025 - @danmartell

The rapid advancement of AI is fundamentally changing the professional landscape, with AI capable of performing tasks once exclusive to junior programmers. This shift necessitates a reevaluation of individual roles, pushing the focus from "doing" to "directing" and "creating." The core of future intellectual property lies in effective AI prompting, with significant investment ($100 billion in data centers by top AI companies) fueling this evolution. Individuals must adapt by integrating AI into their workflows, treating it as a personal assistant for tasks and goal organization, and defaulting to AI for insights before engaging in human collaboration. Failure to embrace these changes risks obsolescence, as AI continues to improve with increased usage, unlike static technologies like electricity.

The speaker emphasizes that being average is the most dangerous position in a rapidly evolving world driven by exponential technologies like AI. This is illustrated by the rapid adoption of tools like ChatGPT, which boasts 700 million weekly users and improves with every interaction. The linear thinking of many individuals struggles to grasp the scale of disruption AI presents. While historical shifts, like the decline of farming, show humanity's capacity to adapt, a significant portion of the population remains unaware or unwilling to engage with AI, akin to the home builder who dismissed it as "not for him." This unpreparedness is a key concern, as AI's "PhD-level intelligence" makes competing against AI-augmented individuals or businesses nearly impossible without proactive adaptation. The message is clear: nobody is coming to save you; you must leverage these tools yourself.

The future of work and business is being redefined, moving away from traditional middlemen who are becoming redundant as AI can process information more efficiently. The key to success and wealth creation in this new era lies in becoming a "director" rather than a "doer." This involves building systems and AI agents to perform tasks, with human effort focused on creativity, strategy, and managing these AI-driven machines. The mastery of AI prompting, or "prompt engineering," is becoming the new intellectual property. This transition is not just about adopting new tools but about cultivating a mindset of continuous learning, unlearning, and relearning to remain competitive, recognizing that English is now the programming language of AI, making it accessible to everyone.

• AI is capable of writing code better than junior programmers, signaling a shift from "doing" to "directing" and "creating."
• The most significant intellectual property in the future will be AI system prompts.
• Top AI companies have invested $100 billion in data centers in the last 3 months.
• ChatGPT saw the fastest adoption of any technology, with 700 million weekly users.
• The core idea is to leverage AI as a personal assistant and a primary source of information and insights, rather than relying solely on human collaboration or traditional research methods.

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AI Outpacing Human Capabilities [0:04]

• AI can write code better than a junior programmer.
• The era of the "middleman" is ending due to AI's capabilities.

The speaker highlights that AI's ability to perform tasks previously requiring human specialists, like coding, signifies a major disruption to traditional roles. This suggests that intermediaries in various industries will become obsolete.

AI can write code better than a junior programmer. The middleman is done.

The Danger of Being Average in a Changing World [1:07]

• The most dangerous thing isn't AI itself, but being average in a rapidly changing world.
• AI is an exponential technology, unlike linear technologies like electricity.
• The more AI is used, the better it becomes, a unique characteristic not shared by other technologies.

This section emphasizes the critical need for individuals to stay ahead of the curve, as AI's exponential growth makes complacency or stagnation detrimental. The speaker contrasts AI's self-improvement with the static nature of established technologies.

The most dangerous thing in the world isn't AI. It's being average in a world that is changing fast.

ChatGPT's Rapid Adoption and Self-Improvement [1:29]

• ChatGPT launched just 32 months ago and now has 700 million weekly users.
• This represents the fastest adoption rate for any technology, surpassing platforms like Facebook.
• AI technologies improve the more they are used, unlike other technologies.

The speaker uses the example of ChatGPT to illustrate the unprecedented speed at which AI is being adopted and its inherent advantage of becoming more powerful with increased usage.

And it's the only technology that the more everybody uses it, the better it gets.

The Gap Between Linear Thinking and Exponential Technology [2:02]

• Many people approach exponential AI technology with a linear thought process.
• Humans may lack the mental capacity to fully predict the scale of AI's disruption.
• Historical shifts, like the reduction in farmers, show adaptation, but the current AI shift is a significant concern.

This part of the discussion points out a fundamental mismatch between human cognitive processes and the rapid, non-linear advancement of AI, leading to an underestimation of its impact.

The challenge is that people are using kind of a linear thought process to this exponential technology.

The Unawareness of AI's Impact in Everyday Life [2:31]

• Many people, even those aware of AI, are in a "bubble" and not truly grasping its implications.
• An example is given of a home builder who believes AI is "not for him."
• It's argued that individuals don't get to decide if AI is for them; it will impact them regardless.

The speaker highlights a disconnect between those within the tech-aware community and the broader population who remain largely unaware or dismissive of AI's pervasive influence.

Go to the Midwest. Go to a small town. You know, I had dinner the other week with my wife's friend's husband who's a home builder. He's 48. And he says to me, "I'm good."

AI's Competitive Advantage and the Impossibility of Non-AI Competition [3:10]

• AI provides "PhD-level intelligence" across all human domains.
• Competing against someone using AI with even a single property is intellectually impossible.
• Individuals must proactively engage with AI; no one will solve this problem for them.

This section stresses the insurmountable competitive disadvantage faced by those who do not leverage AI, as AI offers a level of capability that human effort alone cannot match.

When you have PhD level intelligence in all human domains, you're not going to compete against the other person that might be starting today with one property that's using AI.

The Shift from "Doer" to "Director" with AI [9:14]

• Historically, individuals executed tasks, with teams supporting the "doing."
• AI now handles the "doing" (e.g., writing code), shifting human roles to "directing" and "creativity."
• Entry-level jobs focused on execution are declining as AI can perform them.

The speaker elaborates on how AI is fundamentally altering the nature of work, requiring individuals to elevate their roles from performing tasks to guiding and strategizing AI execution.

The shift that's changed that everyone probably feels but they probably can't describe it is this shift between the doer and the director.

Prompts as the New Intellectual Property [11:15]

• Prompts are the new intellectual property, not just systems or processes.
• Effective prompt engineering is crucial for developing competitive AI applications.

This point underscores the importance of crafting well-designed prompts to harness AI's capabilities, positioning them as a valuable asset for individuals and businesses.

The truth is is your system prompts, your AI prompts is your new intellectual property.

The Redundancy of Middlemen in the AI Era [11:51]

• AI can collect, process, and route information 24/7 with perfect accuracy, making middlemen redundant.
• Examples include mortgage businesses and patent troll responses being automated.

The speaker illustrates how AI's efficiency and accuracy are eliminating the need for intermediaries in transactions and information handling.

The middleman is done.

AI as the Programming Language of English [13:36]

• Artificial intelligence is the only programming language in history that uses English.
• This democratizes programming, allowing anyone who speaks English to "program" AI.

This insight highlights a revolutionary aspect of AI: its accessibility through natural language, breaking down traditional barriers to coding.

Artificial intelligence is the only programming language in the history of mankind that's programmed in English.

The Importance of an "AI-First" Business Approach [14:19]

• Businesses, regardless of industry, should pivot to an "AI-first" model.
• This means re-evaluating entire processes and deliverables through an AI lens.

The speaker advocates for a complete integration of AI into business operations, emphasizing that businesses not adopting this approach risk being disrupted.

I used to be this now I'm an AI first this.

The CEO's Role in Vision and Adaptation [15:35]

• A CEO's primary role is to foresee the future and pivot business models accordingly.
• This involves continuous learning and adaptation to technological advancements.

This section emphasizes the strategic imperative for leadership to be proactive in anticipating and responding to change, particularly technological disruption.

I find it fascinating when I talk to a CEO and they didn't realize that their job was to look around the corner.

The Need for Dedicated AI Expertise Within Companies [16:41]

• The rapid pace of AI innovation requires constant learning and adaptation.
• CEOs and business owners should dedicate time to understanding AI and its implications.

The speaker stresses the dynamic nature of the AI landscape and the necessity for ongoing learning and strategic recalibration for businesses to remain competitive.

I had to redo it three times in the last four weeks because of that much change in the industry around robotics and and language models.

The Role of Social Media in Personal AI Education [17:11]

• Social media feeds can be curated to act as a continuous learning tool for AI.
• By engaging with AI-related content, users can shape their feed to enhance their knowledge.

This practical tip suggests utilizing existing platforms to build a personalized learning experience focused on AI advancements.

So, I spend two or three hours a day on TikTok. My wife is like, "Do you even work?" My feed is all about content, media or AI because to me that's the most defensible thing I can do.

The Four Master Skills for Leverage: Capital, Content, Collaboration, Code [19:09]

• Capital (money), Content, Collaboration, and Code are the four primary ways to create leverage.
• Code, historically software, is now largely represented by AI.

The speaker outlines foundational principles for achieving leverage, highlighting AI's current prominence within the "code" category.

There's only four ways to create leverage. I call these the master skills.

AI's Role in Financial Analysis and Investment [20:44]

• AI can be used to analyze financials and generate ideas for increasing revenue.
• Tools like ChatGPT can process documents and formulate insightful questions for investors.

This segment demonstrates a practical application of AI in finance, showcasing its ability to enhance analysis and decision-making processes.

And while I'm on the call, you know, and the they're all doing their thing and the opening and the voting and all that weird stuff they do. I'm literally asking in Chad Gibbdia as a project for this company loaded all the stuff they sent in the email and said as an investor what are the five questions I should be asking right now enter.

Human Plus Tool Beats Human [21:58]

• The combination of human intelligence with tools consistently outperforms human effort alone.
• AI is the latest and most powerful tool in this progression.

This analogy emphasizes that AI is an enhancement, not a replacement, for human capability, leading to superior outcomes when combined.

Humans have always been human plus tool beats human.

AI's Potential to Drive Towards a Post-Scarcity World [24:26]

• AI and robotics could lead to a world where basic needs like transportation, food, and shelter have no cost.
• This shift will confront individuals with existential questions about their purpose and identity.

The speaker speculates on the long-term societal impact of advanced AI and automation, suggesting a future where traditional economic drivers may cease to exist.

That's when you're confronted with that. What does this all mean? Why am I here?

The Importance of Listening to One's Intuition in the Age of AI [28:25]

• When AI handles mundane tasks, individuals are left to confront their inner selves and true desires.
• The weekend activities of people can indicate what they will pursue when work is no longer a necessity.

This section explores the psychological and existential implications of widespread AI adoption, prompting introspection about personal goals and fulfillment.

The reason why I'm scared for people is I don't think people are ready to have to do that work.

The Two Voices: The Speaker and the Listener [30:22]

• Humans have two distinct internal voices: the one speaking and the one that hears.
• Developing the ability to observe these voices is a key aspect of self-awareness and growth.

This philosophical point encourages introspection and mindfulness, suggesting that understanding our internal dialogue is crucial for personal development.

Isn't it crazy that we have two voices?

The Concept of "Pretending Not to Know" in the Face of AI [33:36]

• Individuals may consciously or unconsciously ignore AI's ability to solve their problems.
• This avoidance is often driven by fear of change or the implications of AI's capabilities.

The speaker challenges the audience to identify what they are "pretending not to know" about AI's potential, suggesting this avoidance is a significant barrier to progress.

What are you pretending not to know?

Implementing AI: The 92% Rule [34:36]

• A directive was given for teams to have 92% of their work done by AI, with 8% reserved for human input.
• This 8% represents the unique contribution of human creativity, art, and intuition.

This practical guideline sets a clear target for AI integration, ensuring that AI handles the bulk of tasks while reserving a critical percentage for human oversight and creativity.

I informed everybody that they have to get to 92% of all their work done by AI.

The Levels of Prompt Engineering: Kindergarten to Advanced [36:13]

• Prompt engineering has different levels of complexity, from basic to advanced system prompts.
• Understanding system prompts is key to achieving higher AI output quality.

The speaker emphasizes that mastering prompt engineering is a skill that requires progression and learning, with advanced techniques unlocking AI's full potential.

You've been playing prompt engineering on like kindergarten, you know, kindergarten mode.

AI as a Tool for Creative Co-Creation, Not Replacement [39:39]

• AI can provide outlines, ideas, and structures, but humans are still needed for editing and final decisions.
• The ideal role for humans is as editors and co-creators, not sole authors.

This section clarifies the collaborative relationship between humans and AI in creative processes, where AI serves as a powerful assistant rather than a complete substitute for human judgment.

It gives you essentially a lot but somebody can still go I don't know if I agree with that chapter.

AI's Role in Enhancing Human Connection and Experience [41:23]

• AI can automate tasks, freeing up humans to focus on emotional aspects and in-person connectivity.
• This shift could lead to increased community engagement and a greater appreciation for human interaction.

The speaker suggests that AI's efficiency will paradoxically enhance human relationships and experiences by removing mundane distractions.

And the other one is the emotional side, which is like any part that interacts with people, which is why I'm very bullish on AI creating the space for us to do more of this.

Habit Stacking and Defaulting to AI for Information [42:02]

• The key to consistent AI use is habit stacking: integrating AI prompts into existing daily routines.
• The goal is to program the mind to default to AI for questions and information, rather than traditional search engines.

This advice focuses on building a sustainable habit of AI utilization by embedding it into daily life.

Find something you do today that you can tag this on to.

Learning Through Experts and Social Media [43:45]

• The most effective way to learn about AI is by engaging with experts and leveraging social media.
• AI expert roundtables and curated social media feeds are valuable resources.

The speaker advocates for a proactive and network-driven approach to learning, emphasizing the power of learning from those at the forefront of AI development.

Guess where I find these people to invite to jump on a Zoom call to teach me about their world. Guess social media.

The Future of AI in Business: Proactive Adaptation [47:48]

• Businesses should focus on what AI could do in the future, not just what it can do today.
• Preparing to receive and integrate future AI capabilities is crucial for long-term relevance.

This forward-looking perspective encourages businesses to anticipate and prepare for AI advancements that are not yet fully realized but are on the horizon.

What could it do and can you get ready to receive that when it's ready because it will show up.

Zuckerberg's AI Strategy: "All In" Leadership [48:21]

• Leaders must be "all in" on AI, as demonstrated by Zuckerberg's strategic shifts.
• This involves significant investment and organizational commitment to AI integration.

The speaker uses Zuckerberg's decisive actions regarding mobile and AI as examples of strong leadership and the necessity of complete dedication to transformative technologies.

Martell Ventures will build a billion dollars worth of enterprise value in the next 32 months. We're already on track and we've been around for eight months. It's wild. But you got to go all in.

AI as a Source of Input, Not Dictation [59:56]

• AI should be used as an input source for decision-making, not as an authority dictating actions.
• Human intuition and gut feeling remain vital in calibrating AI's suggestions.

This advice emphasizes maintaining human agency in decision-making, using AI as a powerful assistant rather than an infallible oracle.

AI should not be used to tell you what to do. It should be used to guide you as an input source.

Unlearning Structure for Simplicity and Efficiency [01:03:23]

• The belief that each business entity must stand alone can lead to excessive, unnecessary structure.
• Collapsing separate entities and sharing resources can streamline operations and increase enjoyment.

This personal anecdote reveals a learning process about organizational design, highlighting how over-structuring can hinder efficiency and collaboration.

What I had to unlearn is the belief that each box should stand alone because my life recently got really complex because I had all these separate boxes businesses that the moment I realized that I should collapse them and put them under one organizational structure.

Pitching AI to Investors: Focus on Problem-Solving, Not Just the Technology [01:05:01]

• Investors are primarily interested in market size, team, pain points, and progress, not just "AI."
• AI should be a supporting element or a checkbox, not the sole reason for investment.

This advice on pitching underscores the importance of framing AI solutions within a clear business context that addresses real-world problems and market needs.

When I pitch to investors, I pitch the market size. I pitch the team. I pitch the pain. I pitch the progress. I don't pitch the AI.

The "Main Character" Mentality: Living Without Fear of Approval [01:07:16]

• Being the "main character" means living without the fear or need for anyone else's approval.
• This state is characterized by empowerment, ease, and inherent power.

This section defines self-actualization as operating from a place of inner authority, independent of external validation.

How do you know you're the main character? If you live your existence without the fear or need of approval of anybody else.

The Human Component in AI-Driven Tools [01:08:43]

• Even with advanced AI, the human experience and user-friendliness of tools remain paramount.
• AI can be used to design better interfaces and user experiences, but human taste and judgment are still crucial.

This addresses the vital need to consider the end-user in the development of AI technologies, ensuring they are intuitive and seamlessly integrated into human workflows.

Now with AI, how do you factor the human component at the other end of these tools or these whatever you're building or is there a process or framework that you consider?

The Future of Social Media: Authenticity in Storytelling [01:13:04]

• While AI avatars are emerging, humans prioritize story, information density, and self-interest.
• The effectiveness of AI in conveying these elements will determine its role in future content.

The speaker reflects on the evolving landscape of social media, suggesting that compelling narratives and value delivery, regardless of the source (human or AI), will drive engagement.

They care about story. They care about line. They care about density of information. They care about their own self-interest.

AI Enhancing Creativity Through Co-Creation [01:16:02]

• Tools like Turbo B-roll demonstrate AI's ability to automate tedious tasks, saving significant time.
• This allows teams to focus on higher-level creative work, acting as editors and curators rather than solely creators.

This practical example shows how AI can streamline production workflows, empowering creative teams to be more efficient and focus on their unique contributions.

We built our own tool that indexes and looks at scenes and allows you to search Dan and Renee hugging.

Purpose as a Guiding Force Beyond AI and Wealth [54:02]

• The speaker's purpose is to help young men avoid feeling broken, stemming from personal experiences.
• AI and wealth creation are tools to exemplify possibilities and create opportunities for connection, not the ultimate purpose itself.

This profound personal reflection highlights that even amidst technological advancement and business success, an underlying human purpose remains the driving force behind actions.

I know my life's purpose is to help young men not feel broken. That's why I do what I do.