[2026 Declaration] Creating Assets (Alter Egos) Using Generative AI: Why I Choose the "Third Way"

As we welcome 2026, I make a new declaration here. I will "create business assets using Generative AI."
Specifically, I will launch businesses such as "AI Avatar Services" and "Manga Production (IP Business)" and publicly share the entire process on this blog.
Why "AI" now? And why "Assets"? This is based on my philosophy of "The 3 Ways to Earn Money" derived from years of experience.

■The 3 Ways to Earn Money (Not Taught in School)

From childhood, we were taught to "enter a good school and join a good company.
" Believing this to be the only correct path, we survived fierce competition only to enter the cage of a "zoo" called a corporation.
However, life requires money. In reality, there are three ways to earn it.

❶ Get a Job (Employee)

Feature: No leverage. You sell your time, so you are always busy.
• Feature: No leverage. You sell your time, so you are always busy.
• Risk： Salary is a "drug."You cannot escape the comfort of a monthly paycheck, and eventually, your body becomes unable to survive without the company. Furthermore, as you age and your salary increases, you face the risk of the company pulling the ladder out from under you.

❷ Earn Your Own Salary (Self-Employed/Specialist)

Imagine opening a ramen shop, making the soup, and boiling the noodles yourself. Or being a doctor or lawyer.
• Feature: Success requires "Talent (being exceptional)" and "Ceaseless Labor."
• The Peak: The pinnacle of this category is MLB player Shohei Ohtani. He earns by throwing and hitting himself. However, even for him, income stops if he gets injured. Leverage does not apply.
• Risk: Many who leave corporate life aim for this, but there is no paid leave or workers' compensation. The "hated boss" is gone, but it often becomes a "labor hell" working desperately just to survive.

❸ Own Assets (Leverage)

Using the "Art of the Alter Ego" to build a system that runs without you working personally. This is the goal we should aim for. There are two approaches:

A. Buying Investments (Finance/Real Estate)

Moving money from Point A to Point B to let money work for you. The key is knowing "When and What to move it to." I have recommended Side FIRE. For those who thrive in organizations, learning this "Buying Investment" while remaining an employee is enough to become wealthy.

What is Side FIRE? The Definition and Benefits of Starting the Path to Financial Freedom

B. Creating Investments (Business Owner)

Building an organization and creating a business system yourself. The crucial point is that it must be a "system that runs without you (Asset)." If you are a cog in the wheel, it is not business but "labor."

■Why Most Salarymen Fail

Most employees do not possess "marketable skills" (I was one of them). They are customized for their specific company. After retiring or leaving, trying to start a "Ramen Shop (Category 2)" usually fails. We lack the craftsman's career or Ohtani's genius talent. So, what should we do? The answer is to "Skip Category 2 and aim directly for Category 3 (Creating Investments)."

■AI Turns "Ordinary People" into "Asset Holders"

Until now, there was a huge wall in "Creating Investments (Building Organizations)": hiring costs, training, and human relation troubles.
But times have changed. "Generative AI" has arrived. AI is the "Strongest Employee"—it doesn't complain, works 24 hours, and needs no salary.
• Even if you can't draw, AI can make you a manga artist.
• Even if you can't speak English, AI can broadcast to the world.
• Even if you can't code, AI can build services. In short, "Talent" can be replaced by "Wisdom to use AI."

■My Challenge in 2026

I will practice and broadcast the process of creating assets (businesses) using Generative AI.

1. A Guide for the Senior Generation: Showing new options for living independently without relying on a company.
2. Energizing Japan: 'Japan is back.' When individual efforts come together, the nation’s strength will surely recover.
3. Cultural Promotion: Bringing Japan's proud content, such as manga, to the world with the power of AI.
4. Coexistence and mutual prosperity: Bring benefits to partner companies through services such as the 'AI Avatar Service'. With technology as our weapon, let's embark on an adventure to dig for the "Fountain of Wealth."

■Author Profile

About the Author Kenji Kamioka
AFP (Certified by the Japan Association for Financial Planners), Licensed Real Estate Transaction Specialist
President and CEO of Julius Co., Ltd.

An investor and strategic media owner with over 10 years of business management experience in three Asian countries: China, Thailand, and Vietnam. While actively managing real estate and financial assets through his own company, he promotes a lifestyle that leverages the structure of capitalism. He has authored numerous books.

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