It’s impossible to ignore how quickly things are changing. Whether you’re in a boardroom, a client meeting, or catching up with a friend, the conversation often turns to Artificial Intelligence (AI). What once felt like a distant frontier is now deeply woven into how we work, think, and build.

In a recent episode of the Off the Wall podcast, we spoke with Liza Adams, an AI executive advisor and fractional CMO, about this topic that’s become top of mind for many forward-looking professionals. Liza offered a compelling perspective: This moment in AI isn’t just another technology cycle; it’s one of the fastest and most transformative shifts we’ve seen in decades.

We’ve lived through disruption before with the rise of the internet, cell phones, and most recently social media. But AI is going to be different. It’s not just about speed or automation. It’s changing how humans relate to technology. More and more, people are starting to see AI not as a tool, but as a thinking partner. That shift is vital, especially for leaders making decisions in high-complexity, high-stakes environments.

Too often, the AI conversation is driven by fear: Will jobs disappear? Will industries become obsolete? But history tells us it’s a more nuanced story. According to a McKinsey report, up to 60% of today’s occupations did not exist in 1940. Innovation doesn’t eliminate opportunity, it reshapes it. The real question isn’t whether AI will change the landscape, because it will, but whether we’re preparing ourselves to evolve alongside it.

Liza shared a powerful insight: AI shines a spotlight on and amplifies whatever is already there. Strong systems get stronger and cracks become more obvious. The same applies to personal decision-making. AI can sharpen your thinking, illuminate blind spots, and help you act more intentionally, as long as you know what you’re optimizing for.

Liza has even created an AI model trained using her own writing and thinking meant to be her digital twin; she affectionately calls it LizaGPT. It helps her pressure-test ideas and stay aligned with her values. It’s a bold example of using AI not to replace, but to refine and elevate human intelligence.

At its best, AI isn’t a shortcut. It’s a sparring partner that helps you think better.

That kind of collaboration only works if you’re crystal clear on what you want to achieve. When prompting AI, Liza uses a framework called GRACE: Goals, Role, Actions, Context, and Examples. It’s a simple way to make sure you’re prompting AI clearly and helps get sharper, more aligned responses.

So, what does this mean for you? How can someone who is a busy, high-performing, and values-driven professional navigate this increasing complex technological advancement?

Well, it means AI isn’t a fad or a fancy tool, it’s a strategic resource. Whether you’re running a business, stewarding wealth, or shaping your family’s future, understanding how AI reshapes productivity, investment, and strategic advantage is critical.

From a wealth management perspective, it also raises an important question: How are we thinking about AI as an investment theme?

According to PwC, AI is projected to contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030 and estimates like that are already causing investors to move. Global AI equity funds saw inflows of over $8 billion in 2023 alone. But investing in AI goes way beyond picking the hottest tech stocks and companies. Investing in the AI theme means taking a broader approach and expanding your horizons.

Sure, you can look at buying the major tech names, like NVIDIA, in order to capitalize on the AI theme, but the benefits of AI aren’t limited to a single company or industry. It requires discernment about where real value is being created, and that is happening in almost every sector of the economy. Whether it’s:

Innovative AI-powered lasers boosting crop health and yields by removing up to 200,000 weeds per hour with sub-millimeter accuracy
Massive electricity and power needs from running these AI models that’s caused increased revenues for some utility companies
Automotive manufacturers’ ability to more effectively predict and adjust production to respond to changes in supply and demand
There are already real-world benefits from AI technology for tons of companies and the global economy more broadly.

The bottom line: We are never going back to a world without AI. It’s here to stay, and the future isn’t about resisting it or blindly embracing it. It’s about partnering with it, and using it intentionally, strategically, with your eyes wide open.

Check out the episode below.

And make sure to subscribe to the Monument Wealth YouTube channel to catch all of our videos!