Bartlett framed the experiment carefully. He asked ChatGPT to imagine a “normal person” earning $50,000 a year with a long-term goal of financial freedom. He requested a single sentence distilled from the collective wisdom of investing experts across generations.
Before revealing the chatbot’s response, Bartlett turned to JL Collins, author of the best-selling book The Simple Path to Wealth, and asked what his own advice would be. Collins replied instantly, repeating a principle he has championed for years: avoid debt, live below your means, and invest the surplus.
ChatGPT Echoes Decades of Investing Wisdom
When Bartlett read out ChatGPT’s response, the overlap was impossible to ignore. The AI advised focusing on saving consistently, investing in low-cost, broad-based index funds such as the S&P 500, living below one’s means, and allowing compounding to work over time.
The simplicity of the advice drew laughter from Collins, who jokingly remarked that he should sue the AI for “mining” his book. Beneath the humour, however, was an acknowledgement that the core message was fundamentally sound and aligned with long-established principles of long-term wealth creation.
Earning More in an Uncertain Economy
Bartlett extended the experiment by asking a second question: how should someone earn more money? Once again, Collins answered first, saying people should focus on developing their skills to increase their earning potential.
ChatGPT’s response closely followed the same line of thinking. It suggested developing high-demand skills, seeking career advancement, exploring side hustles, or investing in income-generating assets such as real estate or dividend-paying investments.
While the advice sounded familiar, Bartlett noted that the phrase “high-demand skills” carried an unresolved uncertainty, particularly at a time when technology is rapidly reshaping the global workforce.
AI, Jobs, and the Future of Work
The conversation naturally shifted to how artificial intelligence itself may redefine which skills remain valuable. Collins observed that roles once considered future-proof, such as programming, are already being transformed by AI-powered tools.
These concerns echo warnings from prominent technology leaders. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has cautioned that many customer support and routine knowledge roles could be automated, leading to widespread job displacement. Similar assessments have appeared in reports by global media and industry analysts.
Despite these shifts, Collins emphasized that the fundamentals of wealth-building remain unchanged. Avoiding debt, spending less than one earns, and investing consistently over time continue to be reliable pillars of financial independence, regardless of technological disruption.