Two paths into AI work (which one is yours?)

Nate Herk

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Two paths into AI work (which one is yours?)

Most YouTubers show you a single path into AI work:

start an automation agency → take clients → sell automations.

It works. I know because I built an AI automation agency and sold it.

But it's not the only way in, and for a lot of you it's not even the best one.

I made this video to break down the two real paths:

The AI Career Opportunity Nobody is Talking About in 2026

Here's the quick version:

Path A is the agency play. You go independent, take clients, build your own practice.

Path B is the employment play. You become the most AI-fluent person in the room, and that's who companies want to hire or promote for AI work. If you're already employed, you become the obvious pick when an AI role opens. If you're looking to get hired, or move somewhere better, you walk in with real work instead of just claims. It's the less obvious path, but it's actually the more common one. The employment numbers (see the video) are shocking actually.

Watch the full breakdown in the video. Then do one thing for me in the comments because I'm super curious:

Tell me which path you are on. A, B, or both. And one line or so on why.

I'll be reading these.

Nate

Path A (independent)

Path B (employment)

Something else entirely...

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