AI made a tiny slice of Silicon Valley filthy rich and left the rest wondering why they bother

A Menlo Ventures partner says roughly 10,000 Silicon Valley workers have made fortunes of more than $20 million from the AI boom.

The biggest gains are going to employees and investors tied to major AI firms and Nvidia, while many other tech workers face layoffs and weaker job security.

The boom is widening inequality in tech, concentrating extraordinary wealth among a small group and intensifying career anxiety for everyone else.

For many workers, the old Silicon Valley path to success now looks less reliable as AI reshapes hiring, promotion, and long-term prospects.