The real power of AI lies not in its availability but in how it's leveraged. While half a billion people use AI for basic productivity, visionary entrepreneurs treat it as a strategic thought partner—generating ideas, refining strategies, and accelerating innovation. Small businesses are outpacing large corporations in adoption because they act faster and integrate AI more creatively. Meanwhile, the U.S.-China tech rivalry intensifies, with China’s centralized model enabling rapid industrial integration, while America’s edge stems from cultural openness and Silicon Valley’s enduring ecosystem of talent and risk-taking. Despite predictions of decentralization, top AI innovation has re-concentrated in geographic hubs like Silicon Valley, drawn by culture, collaboration, and capital. The key to unlocking AI’s potential isn’t just better tools—it’s asking better questions, starting with: 'What should I be asking?'