The economy was built on scarcity. AI just flipped the script. Now, the question isn’t “Can you afford it?” but “What will you do with it?”

For centuries, the economy thrived on scarcity. Expertise was rare, time was limited, and access to knowledge was guarded like a treasure. That’s why consultants charged thousands, research took months, and customer service was a cost center. Scarcity created value.

But AI doesn’t play by those rules.

Today, businesses are racing to use AI for customer service. Chatbots, automated responses, and instant support are everywhere. It’s a no-brainer—AI cuts costs, speeds up responses, and makes customers (mostly) happy. But here’s the thing: customer service was always a surface-level problem. It’s the tip of the iceberg.

The real opportunity—the transformational opportunity—is deeper.

AI isn’t just good at answering FAQs. It’s capable of doing the deep, time-consuming, expensive research that used to require armies of analysts, consultants, and experts. The kind of work that shaped billion-dollar decisions. The kind of work that was once reserved for the elite few who could afford it.

So why aren’t more leaders using AI for that?

Maybe it’s fear. Maybe it’s habit. Or maybe it’s because we’re so focused on automating the obvious that we’re missing the profound.

Here’s the truth: AI can analyze decades of market data in minutes. It can spot patterns humans would never see. It can simulate scenarios, predict outcomes, and generate insights that used to take months of human labor. And it can do it for pennies.

The question isn’t “Can AI do this?” It’s “Why aren’t we letting it?”

Business leaders are comfortable using AI to replace repetitive tasks—answering customer emails, scheduling appointments, or sorting data. But when it comes to the deep work—the strategic, creative, high-stakes work—they hesitate. They default to humans because it feels safer. More familiar.

But here’s the risk: while you’re hesitating, someone else is already doing it.

The competitive advantage of the future won’t go to the companies that use AI to cut costs. It will go to the ones that use AI to think bigger, move faster, and see further. The ones that replace not just the grunt work, but the gatekeepers.

So, what’s your move?

Will you use AI to do what you’ve always done, just a little cheaper? Or will you use it to do what you’ve never been able to do before?

The economy was built on scarcity. But the future belongs to those who see abundance—and act on it.

What will you do with it?