ChatGPT had a startling response when it was asked what a normal person should do to become rich, and the answer has reignited debate about money, investing, and the future of work in the age of artificial intelligence.
The moment unfolded during an episode of The Diary Of A CEO, where entrepreneur and host Steven Bartlett sat down with renowned passive income advocate JL Collins. What began as a discussion about investing myths quickly turned into a real-world test of AI-generated financial wisdom.
The Question Put to ChatGPT
Bartlett posed a deliberately simple but universal scenario to the AI:
“I’m a normal person who earns $50,000 a year. I want to be financially free in the future. Give me a one-sentence answer based on all the wisdom in the world taken from every expert in investing ever.”
Before revealing ChatGPT’s response, Bartlett asked Collins for his own advice. The answer was classic and concise.
JL Collins’ Timeless Advice
Collins, best known for his book The Simple Path to Wealth, summed up decades of financial thinking in just a few words:
“Avoid debt. Live on less than you earn, and invest the surplus.”
It’s a philosophy rooted in discipline, patience, and long-term thinking—principles that have guided generations of investors.
ChatGPT’s Surprisingly Sensible Answer
When Bartlett revealed ChatGPT’s response, even Collins appeared impressed.
The AI advised:
“Focus on saving and consistently invest in low-cost, broad-based index funds like the S&P 500 while living below your means and allowing compounding to work over time.”
The similarities were hard to ignore. Rather than promoting risky shortcuts or viral “get rich quick” schemes, ChatGPT echoed the fundamentals taught by many of the world’s most respected financial minds.
How to Earn More, According to AI
Bartlett then pushed further, asking a broader follow-up question:
“How do I earn more?”
Collins answered simply: “Develop your skills.”
ChatGPT’s reply expanded on the idea, suggesting people should focus on building high-demand skills, seek career advancement, explore side hustles, or invest in income-generating assets such as real estate or dividend-paying investments.
Once again, the advice closely mirrored traditional financial guidance.
The AI Era and the Value of Skills
The conversation soon shifted toward how artificial intelligence itself may reshape which skills are considered “high demand.” Collins noted that programming, once seen as a golden ticket, may no longer hold the same value as AI systems increasingly automate code generation.
Jokingly, he suggested ChatGPT may have “mined” ideas directly from his book—an observation that highlights the broader concern about how AI is trained on existing human knowledge.
Sam Altman’s Warning About Job Disruption
The discussion aligns with growing concerns voiced by Sam Altman, who has repeatedly warned that AI-driven job displacement is inevitable.
Altman has predicted that many roles—particularly in customer support and digital services—will be significantly altered or eliminated. He argues that while this shift may happen faster than previous technological revolutions, it still follows a historical pattern where roughly half of all jobs change meaningfully every few decades.
Why ChatGPT’s Answer Resonated
What made ChatGPT’s response so striking was not its novelty, but its restraint. In a digital culture saturated with financial hype, the AI delivered advice grounded in realism: spend less, invest wisely, build skills, and think long term.
For many listeners, the moment underscored an unexpected truth—when stripped of noise, wealth-building fundamentals remain largely unchanged, even when delivered by a machine.
A Reflection of Collective Financial Wisdom
Rather than replacing human expertise, ChatGPT’s answer appeared to reflect it. By synthesizing decades of established financial thinking, the AI offered guidance that aligned closely with trusted voices like JL Collins.
In an era where artificial intelligence often sparks fear and skepticism, this exchange offered a rare moment of clarity—and a reminder that the path to financial freedom may be simpler than many believe.
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