Seven American companies built the world you can’t escape. From Ford’s assembly lines to OpenAI’s algorithms, they’ve made life convenient, connected, and completely dependent on their innovations. They’ve also facilitated genocide, normalized surveillance, and crushed labor rights. Progress always demands a price. You’re paying it.
Tim Cook waves Apple's $162 billion like a riverboat gambler, declaring AI is "ours to grab." Meanwhile, Siri still can't tell "call Mom" from "Paul Mom." With Perplexity's $25 billion price tag looming, 2025 might finally deliver the intelligent ecosystem Steve Jobs envisioned—or Apple's last waltz with relevance.
AI is no longer optional—it’s the great accelerator and silent executioner. This article explores what it means to be an AI-first company, why the next 1–2 years matter most, and how those who move now can build a moat, gain an edge, and thrive in this once-in-a-century shift.
Fiverr, once the scrappy $5 gig disruptor, is ripe for reinvention. With three bold moves—becoming the freelancer’s OS, winning over enterprise clients, and embracing AI as a sellable asset—it could 5X its business in just a few years. But only if it remembers what made it special to begin with.
Notes Beyond the Map 