Author: jamrockbrown

7 Must-Have AI Skills to Thrive (and Get Rich) in 2025

As we step further into the AI revolution, it’s no longer a matter of if — it’s how you’ll adapt to the new landscape. Whether you’re a tech entrepreneur, freelancer, or just curious about the future, acquiring the right AI skills now can unlock serious earning potential by 2025.

Based on insights from the popular YouTube video “7 AI Skills You MUST Have to Become Rich in 2025”, here’s a breakdown of the essential skills that will put you ahead of the curve — and maybe even help you build generational wealth.

1. Prompt Engineering: Speak AI’s Language

Prompt engineering is the art of crafting questions and instructions that guide AI models like ChatGPT or Claude to produce high-quality, accurate, and relevant outputs.

Why it matters: Most people use AI like a search engine. But those who understand how to prompt creatively can generate code, automate tasks, write compelling content, or solve complex business problems in minutes — not hours.

Tools to learn:

  • ChatGPT
  • Gemini
  • PromptPerfect

2. Automation Tools: Build Workflows That Work While You Sleep

No-code and low-code automation platforms are transforming the way businesses operate. With tools like Zapier, Make, or n8n, you can connect apps, automate tedious tasks, and even build SaaS-like workflows — without writing a single line of code.

Example use case: Automate lead generation, invoice sending, and email follow-ups in an agency or ecommerce business.

3. AI Agents: Your Next Digital Employee

AI agents are autonomous tools that can perform tasks, interact with APIs, and make decisions based on your instructions. They’re the next evolution of automation, acting more like employees than scripts.

Tools to explore:

  • Lindy.ai
  • AutoGPT
  • AgentGPT

Use case: Set up an agent to handle customer queries, schedule meetings, or perform research.

4. AI Video Creation: Content at Scale

Video is still king in content marketing — and now, you don’t even need a camera. With platforms like Pictory, Runway, and Synthesia, you can generate professional-quality videos using just text prompts or scripts.

Who’s using it? YouTubers, marketers, educators, and even real estate agents are creating daily content using AI tools — fast and at a fraction of traditional costs.

5. AI Voice Generation: Say It with Style

High-quality voiceovers used to cost hundreds of dollars. Now, you can generate ultra-realistic voices using tools like ElevenLabs and Play.ht — perfect for audiobooks, podcasts, YouTube videos, or product explainers.

Pro tip: You can even clone your voice or create a signature brand voice to maintain consistency.

6. AI Image Creation: Design Without a Designer

AI art generators like Midjourney, DALL·E, and Leonardo AI are empowering creators to produce stunning images — fast. Whether you need product mockups, branding material, or original art for your site or socials, these tools deliver.

Why it’s hot: You can generate niche graphics, social media content, or even NFT collections in minutes.

7. AI Coding: Turbocharge Development

AI tools like GitHub Copilot, Cursor, and CodeWhisperer help developers write better code, faster. But even non-coders can now build apps and websites with the help of natural language coding assistants.

Real-world impact: Freelancers are doubling their output, startups are building MVPs in record time, and solopreneurs are launching full platforms with AI help.

Final Thoughts: It’s Time to Act

The gap between those who leverage AI and those who ignore it is growing by the day. These seven skills aren’t just technical tricks — they’re wealth-building tools for the modern world. You don’t need to master all of them, but choosing even two or three can dramatically increase your earning potential by 2025.

Start now. Experiment. Build. Share. The future doesn’t wait — and neither should you.

Embracing AI: Transforming Jobs and Creating New Opportunities

We’ve all heard it: “AI is coming for your job.”

For some, it sparks fear. For others, fascination. But the truth? AI isn’t just replacing jobs—it’s reinventing them, and more importantly, it’s creating entirely new ways to earn a living. Whether you’re in a 9-to-5 grind, freelancing, or dabbling in weekend side hustles, artificial intelligence is opening doors you didn’t even know existed.

Let’s break it down.

The Shifting Job Landscape

AI is changing how work works.

Routine tasks—like data entry, scheduling, and even writing basic reports—are being automated at scale. That means certain roles (especially ones heavy on repetitive tasks) are at risk of becoming obsolete or heavily reduced. But at the same time, new roles are emerging just as fast:

Machine learning operations (MLOps) professionals  
AI specialists and prompt engineers  
AI ethics consultants  
Data curators and AI trainers  
Automation strategists in HR, marketing, and IT

Even if you’re not “technical,” understanding how AI fits into your industry makes you exponentially more valuable.

AI Isn’t Stealing Jobs—People Who Use AI Might Be

Let’s be real: it’s not AI alone that’s a threat—it’s people who know how to use AI.

Think about a copywriter who uses ChatGPT to draft faster, an analyst who builds predictive dashboards in Power BI using AI features, or a designer who uses AI to prototype faster. They’re not replaced—they’re amplified.

If you’re not learning how to collaborate with AI, you may find yourself replaced by someone who is.

Side Hustles Supercharged by AI

Here’s where it gets exciting: AI isn’t just for the corporate world. It’s a tool for creators, solopreneurs, and side-hustlers to work smarter, not harder.

Some ideas:

1. Content Creation at Scale

AI tools like ChatGPT, Jasper, and Writesonic can help generate blog posts, marketing copy, product descriptions, and even eBooks. Combine this with SEO knowledge, and you’ve got a blogging business or niche content site that earns through affiliate links or ad revenue.

2. AI-Powered Design

Not a graphic designer? No problem. Tools like Midjourney and Canva’s AI features let you create high-quality visuals, logos, and even merchandise mockups. People are selling AI-generated designs on platforms like Etsy, Redbubble, and Shopify.

3. Automation-as-a-Service

Learn Zapier, Make (formerly Integromat), or Notion AI and start offering automation consulting to overwhelmed solopreneurs or small businesses. Many don’t know how to streamline repetitive tasks—they’ll pay someone who does.

4. AI Tutoring or Prompt Coaching

If you’re good at using AI, teach others. Launch a micro-course or offer 1:1 coaching on how to write effective prompts, integrate AI into workflows, or build no-code AI apps. People are making real money doing this.

5. AI-Enhanced Freelancing

Writers, developers, marketers, and designers can all boost productivity by integrating AI into their process. Faster output = more projects = more income.

The Key: Learn to Leverage, Not Fear

The people winning in the AI age aren’t necessarily the most technical—they’re the most adaptable. They’re curious. They tinker. They learn fast.

Whether you’re protecting your career or launching a new income stream, AI isn’t something to ignore—it’s something to master. The best part? You don’t need a PhD in machine learning. You need an internet connection, some curiosity, and the courage to experiment.

Final Thoughts:

The AI revolution isn’t coming. It’s here. The question isn’t whether your job will change—it’s how you’ll evolve with it. Will you watch others ride the wave, or will you learn to surf?

The future isn’t automated. It’s augmented—by you.

Resolving vSphere HA Configuration Issues Post vCenter 8.0.3

Issue/Introduction

  • Reconfiguring vSphere HA fails for several hosts in the cluster, but some elect into primary or secondary status.
  • After upgrading to vCenter Server 8.0.3, HA enabled clusters fail to configure, where only a few hosts elect properly
    Messages in fdm.log mention “SSL Async Handshake Timeout” when contacting other hosts
  • fdm.log also contains messages similar to the following when attempting to contact the master FDM host
    • SSL Async Handshake Timeout : Read timeout after approximately 25000ms. Closing stream SSL
    • Failed to SSL handshake;

Environment

vCenter Server 8.0.3

Cause

MTU Mismatch on Management network. FDM does support Jumbo Frames, but the MTU setting has to be consistent from end to end on every device.

Resolution

Check MTU settings for the vmk, vmnic, and vSwitch/DVS involved with the Management network on each host to confirm the mismatch.

Confirm the issue using network commands at the ESXi shell:

  • vmkping -I vmkX x.x.x.x
    • vmkping using the vmk for the Management network is successful between all or most hosts
  • vmkping -d -s 8972 x.x.x.x
    • vmkping using jumbo frames Management network only works between elected hosts with their MTU set correctly
  • openssl s_client -connect x.x.x.x:8182
    • From the primary agent host to one of the hosts that isn’t electing will not return the SSL certificate.  Doing so between elected hosts returns the SSL certificate as expected.

Edit the device used for the Management network that is set incorrectly and change the MTU to 9000.

Broadcom Profile Authentication Technology Transition Notice

Issue/Introduction

Broadcom Inc., is modifying our authentication technology and will require you to activate your account after the transition is complete on January 21, 2025. 

To complete the transition of your Broadcom Profile please follow the steps below.

Resolution

After the transition to the new authentication technology is complete on January 21, 2025, upon first logging into the Broadcom Support Portal, you’ll be required to complete some/all of the following steps:

  1. Navigate to the Broadcom Support Portal and click Login in the upper right corner.
  2. Enter your Broadcom Account email address after which you’ll receive a message stating “Your account is locked”. Click Unlock Account.




  3. Select Email Verification to unlock your account.

    NOTE: SMS Verification is not supported.



  4. You’ll then receive a confirmation message. 



  5. You’ll receive a password reset email confirmation along with a unique URL to reset your password. 



  6. Enter a new password and click Reset Password.



  7. You’ll receive a confirmation message stating your password has been successfully reset. 



  8. If your Broadcom Account was an Enterprise Level Account (i.e. associated with one or more support site IDs) you’ll also be required to enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). 
  9. Select your preferred MFA option to complete your account migration.

ESXi 6.5 to 7 Upgrade Using ESXCLI: Essential Steps

To upgrade from VMware 6.5 to 7 using ESXCLI, you can follow the steps below ¹:

  1. Verify that your system meets the upgrade requirements. See ESXi Requirements ¹.
  2. Prepare your environment before upgrading. See Before Upgrading ESXi Hosts ¹.
  3. Determine where you want to locate and boot the ESXi installer. See Media Options for Booting the ESXi Installer ¹.
  4. Connect to the ESXi host using SSH.
  5. Put the host into maintenance mode. See Enter Maintenance Mode for a Host ¹.
  6. Run the following command to stage the upgrade: esxcli software profile update -p ESXi-7.0.0-xxxxxxx-standard -d /vmfs/volumes/datastore/ESXi700/ESXi-7.0.0-xxxxxxx-standard.zip ¹.
  7. Run the following command to start the upgrade: esxcli software profile update -d /vmfs/volumes/datastore/ESXi700/ESXi-7.0.0-xxxxxxx-standard.zip -p ESXi-7.0.0-xxxxxxx-standard ¹.
  8. After the upgrade is complete, reboot the host. See Reboot the Host After an Upgrade ¹.

Please note that the details and level of support for an upgrade to ESXi 7.0 depend on the host to be upgraded and the upgrade method that you use ¹. Verify that the upgrade path from your current version of ESXi to the version to which you are upgrading is supported ¹. For more information, see the VMware Product Interoperability Matrices at ¹.

Understanding Microsoft AOVPN: Key Features and Benefits

Microsoft AOVPN stands for Microsoft Always On Virtual Private Network. It is a remote access solution that is built into Windows 10 and is designed to provide seamless and consistent connectivity for domain-joined, nondomain-joined, or Azure AD–joined devices1. AOVPN allows users to access corporate resources securely over the internet, without the need for user interaction or manual configuration2. AOVPN also supports various features and integrations, such as:

These are some of the main aspects of Microsoft AOVPN, but there are more details and nuances that are beyond the scope of this brief explanation. Microsoft AOVPN is meant to be the successor to DirectAccess, which is another remote access solution that has been used for years. However, AOVPN offers more flexibility, compatibility, and security than DirectAccess23. Microsoft AOVPN is available in all Windows editions, and can be deployed and managed with various tools, such as PowerShell, Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager, Intune, Windows Configuration Designer, or any third-party mobile device management (MDM) tool1.

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What are some alternatives to Ethereum for building DApps?

There are several alternatives to Ethereum for building DApps, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Some of the most popular ones are:

  • Polygon: This is a layer 2 scaling solution that aims to provide faster and cheaper transactions on Ethereum. Polygon uses a network of sidechains that are compatible with Ethereum and can support various types of DApps, such as DeFi, NFTs, gaming, and more. Polygon also has its own native token, MATIC, which is used for paying fees and staking on the network. Polygon claims to offer up to 65,000 transactions per second (TPS) and near-instant finality12
  • Solana: This is a high-performance blockchain that uses a novel consensus mechanism called Proof of History (PoH), which timestamps transactions and enables parallel processing. Solana also supports smart contracts, cross-chain interoperability, and various DApps, such as Serum, Audius, and Radium. Solana has its own native token, SOL, which is used for paying fees and staking on the network. Solana claims to offer up to 50,000 TPS and sub-second finality3.
  • Cardano: This is a research-driven blockchain that uses a Proof of Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism called Ouroboros, which is designed to be secure, scalable, and energy-efficient. Cardano also supports smart contracts, which are written in a functional programming language called Plutus. Cardano is currently in the process of launching various DApps, such as Catalyst, Atala Prism, and World Mobile. Cardano has its own native token, ADA, which is used for paying fees and staking on the network. Cardano claims to offer up to 1,000 TPS and 20 seconds finality34

These are some of the most prominent alternatives to Ethereum for building DApps, but there are many more that offer different features and trade-offs, such as Binance Smart Chain, Tron, EOS, Cosmos, Avalanche, and Algorand. You can explore more DApps on different blockchain platforms by visiting DappRadar1, which tracks and analyses the top DApps on different blockchain platforms.

Can you explain more about web3?

Web3 is a term that refers to the idea of a new version of the internet that is based on blockchain technologies and decentralized protocols. Web3 aims to give users more control over their data, identity, and digital assets, as well as to enable new forms of online collaboration and innovation. Some of the features of web3 include:

These are some of the main aspects of web3, but there are many more details and nuances that are beyond the scope of this brief explanation. Web3 is still a developing and evolving movement, and there are different opinions and perspectives on its definition, vision, and implications. Web3 also faces various challenges and risks, such as scalability, security, regulation, environmental impact, and social impact. Web3 is not a fixed or final state of the internet, but rather a direction and a possibility for the future of the web1234