When you think about the AI race, what comes to mind? Likely, it’s the competition to create the most powerful large language model (LLM) or the next groundbreaking feature. While that battle is happening, there’s a less obvious yet equally critical war being waged: the fight over your attention and workspace.

And here’s the twist—it’s not just about horsepower anymore. It’s about where you spend your time, how you interact with tools, and where your data lives. The AI titans are no longer satisfied with creating powerful tools; they’re laser-focused on making their platforms your digital homestead. Let’s unpack this quiet war and why it matters to you.

The Quiet Competition: Beyond Raw Power

For a while, the AI race was all about raw power. Who could build the most impressive LLM? Who could process the most data? But as open-source AI projects push the boundaries for free, and the costs of advancing horsepower skyrocket, the focus has shifted. The real war now revolves around the user interface (UI): the screens, tools, and workflows you interact with every day.

Why? Because improving the interface is far cheaper than building better AI models. Platforms are now adding layers of usability—features like projects, containers, saved contexts, and canvases—to make their tools more indispensable. These enhancements aim to make AI more useful than simple chat, but they come with a catch.

The Hidden Agenda: Lock-In Through Convenience

Big tech companies want you to store your data, projects, and workflows natively on their platforms. Why? Because once you’re locked in, it’s costly and cumbersome to leave. This isn’t a new tactic. Remember the rise of Web 2.0? Platforms added proprietary workflows and interfaces, encouraging users to host their files within the ecosystem. The result? Users became dependent on the platform’s infrastructure, making it nearly impossible to migrate elsewhere.

The same is happening in the AI space. While the new features make workflows smoother, they also tether you to a specific platform. If all your files, instructions, and projects live in a proprietary format, moving to another tool becomes a logistical nightmare.

This creates a dangerous dynamic. You’re effectively renting space in someone else’s house. Just ask creators on YouTube or TikTok who rely entirely on these platforms to manage their content. Any change in terms of service leaves them stuck, forced to comply or risk losing their livelihood.

The Risk of Dependency: Losing Your Digital Liquidity

Here’s the crux of the issue: Managing your data exclusively on other people’s platforms is a risky game. It leaves you vulnerable to changes you can’t control. In the fast-moving world of AI, where tools and capabilities evolve daily, this lack of flexibility can put you at a serious disadvantage.

To stay ahead, you need to preserve your digital liquidity. Think of it as the ability to move freely between tools, adapting to the best solutions as they emerge. If your files and workflows are tangled up in proprietary formats, your liquidity is gone. You’re stuck, and the platforms are banking on your inertia to keep you there.

The Solution: Taking Back Control

So, what can you do to stay nimble in this ever-changing landscape? The answer lies in knowledge management. Think of it as your digital trapper keeper (if you’re a ’90s kid, you’ll remember those). The most organized students always had the best binders with tabs, sections, and systems to keep everything in order. The same principle applies here.

Here are some actionable steps to take control:

1. Use a Personal Knowledge Management System: Tools like Notion, Airtable, Coda, or Obsidian allow you to organize your files, projects, and workflows in a system you control. Obsidian, in particular, lets you store everything locally, giving you maximum control.

2. Treat Platform Features as Temporary: The projects, containers, and saved contexts on AI platforms should be treated as temporary holding spaces. Assume they could disappear tomorrow. Always back up your work.

3. Save and Organize Locally: Make it a habit to save your work in formats and locations you own. Whether it’s a local drive, cloud storage you control, or a hybrid system, ensure you’re not reliant on a single platform.

4. Preserve Your Digital Liquidity: Keep your workflows flexible. Avoid proprietary formats when possible. By doing so, you’ll be ready to switch tools as better options become available.

Staying Ahead in the AI Revolution

The AI landscape is evolving at breakneck speed, and the titans are playing a long game to capture your attention and data. But you don’t have to play by their rules. By taking control of your workflows and preserving your digital liquidity, you can stay ahead in this wild west of AI innovation.

Remember, the tools you use today might not be the tools you rely on tomorrow. Stay organized, stay independent, and keep your options open. The future belongs to those who can adapt.