Article
Investors Are Becoming Useless, the Stock Market a Casino, and the Internet Just a Game
The investor was once a key figure in the capitalist world. He provided capital to the entrepreneur, someone with a vision, energy, and the drive to build something new. It was a deal: capital in exchange for a share in future value. And it worked. In some places, it still does.
So why am I speaking in the past tense?
Because the changes brought by artificial intelligence and automation suggest a radically different future.
When AI makes supply nearly infinite, supply and demand pull prices toward zero
The world today is hard to predict. Still, to glimpse the future, we can at least start by observing current trends and underlying laws.
When everything feels unstable and uncertain, physics offers a steady ground. In a closed system, energy can neither be created nor destroyed. It only changes form. And these systems tend to equalize over time.
Just like pressure balances out in physics, price adjusts in economics through supply and demand. When demand is high and supply low, price rises. When supply exceeds demand, price falls. In both systems, equilibrium is the natural direction.
But what happens in a world where supply becomes nearly infinite, because AI can generate solutions, products, and services without human labour and at near-zero cost? Who will create the demand? Who will even want all the results this system keeps churning out?
We are heading toward a future where many things simply lose their value. What is worth billions today could be worth no more than a calculator, a light bulb, or a wheel just a few years from now. That is a big shift, is not it?
People are investing their life savings into things that currently seem highly valuable, like autonomous electric vehicles or AI-powered systems automating entire workflows, marketing operations, or software development.
But what if, in just a few years, we treat these things like we treat calculators today? I do not think that is such a crazy thought. And if it turns out to be true, it will fundamentally reshape how the world of finance works.
Capital will lose its value, and the stock market will turn into a casino
Historically, the biggest barrier to building something was how expensive it was. You had to pay for a factory, employees, logistics, marketing. That is why investment was essential. The investor provided capital that was not otherwise accessible.
But today, launching a company costs less and less. Automated systems are replacing dozens of employees. AI can code, invent products, analyse markets, draft strategies, and write compelling copy. A single person with access to a powerful AI model can now build something over a weekend that used to take entire teams months to accomplish.
What is losing value now is capital itself. And if we go one step further, we might say modern money never had intrinsic value. But let us set that aside. In business, the belief that money had value made it possible to buy time, labour, machines, and services.
If people are no longer needed, and the outputs of machines and algorithms become worthless due to infinite supply, then what is capital for? What is an investor for?
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Disclaimer
This article is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice, a recommendation to buy or sell any securities, or a guarantee of future market performance. The views expressed are solely those of the author, who may also be an investor. Investing in financial markets involves risk, and each reader should make their own decisions independently and, if necessary, consult with a licensed professional.
Summary
Common questions on this article's topic
What happens to the value of things when supply becomes nearly infinite?
Could stock markets actually become like casinos?
What will capital be used for if AI eliminates most production costs?
Is the internet really losing its value?
What should investors do in this environment?
Will AI replace investors?
What is zero marginal cost, and how does it apply to AI?
What is a post-scarcity economy?
If you have any thoughts, questions, or feedback, feel free to drop me a message at mail@richardgolian.com.
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