[satvikpendem]

> The ease with which he can use AI is the same as for everyone else. Therefore he gains no relative benefit and can't "make money from AI".

Not really, people are not equal in output. Some people can use their tools much better than others, like juniors versus master craftspeople. Even in startups we see some succeed while many fail, and while there may be macroeconomic conditions (or otherwise those outside of one's control) for such failure, some still rest on the founders themselves and their decisions.