A common misconception is that making money with artificial intelligence requires deep coding skills and a background in computer science. But according to a growing number of entrepreneurs and analysts, the real wealth in AI is being built not by programmers, but by business owners who apply existing AI tools to local and practical markets.
In a recent video, CPA and business strategist Daniel Sandler argues that the biggest opportunities for AI-driven wealth are outside Silicon Valley. Instead of trying to build the next large language model, aspiring AI millionaires should focus on using off-the-shelf AI solutions to improve small businesses, streamline operations, and create new revenue streams.
"The people getting rich from AI are not the ones coding the algorithms," Sandler explains. "They are the ones who see a local dry cleaner, a dentist's office, or a real estate agent and figure out how AI can save them time and money."
Sandler's perspective highlights a shift in the AI economy: as powerful AI tools become more accessible and user-friendly, the barrier to entry is no longer technical expertise but business acumen. Simple applications like AI-powered chatbots for customer service, automated marketing copy, and predictive analytics for inventory management can be integrated without writing a single line of code.
This approach opens the door for anyone with a solid understanding of a specific industry to become an AI consultant or solution provider. The key, Sandler says, is to identify repetitive tasks or data-heavy decisions in a business and then apply a prebuilt AI service to solve that problem.
"You don't need to know how to train a neural network," he adds. "You just need to know where the pain points are and which AI tool fits."
The message is clear: for those looking to capitalize on the AI boom, the path to millions may not require a computer science degree, but rather a keen eye for business opportunities and a willingness to leverage existing technology.