The haves and have nots of the AI gold rush

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By AI Maestro May 16, 2026 1 min read
The haves and have nots of the AI gold rush

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The article from TechCrunch highlights a concerning divide within the AI industry, where some individuals have achieved significant wealth and influence through AI innovations, while others struggle to find meaningful work in an evolving landscape.

  • Deedy Das, a Menlo Ventures partner, observed that there is now a substantial gap between those who have reached retirement-level wealth from AI ventures like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Nvidia, and the majority of software engineers who feel their skills are no longer valuable in this new environment.
  • The situation has led to layoffs and a sense of confusion among many workers about their future career paths. This shift has exacerbated concerns over job security and the long-term viability of traditional roles within AI-driven economies.
  • Das pointed out that some individuals are now both beneficiaries (via investments) and victims (through potential redundancy in certain sectors), creating a paradox where the same technology is both their ticket to wealth and what threatens their livelihood.

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