APIs have the potential to automate many aspects of our lives, but this automation could either concentrate wealth among a few API providers or spread economic opportunity more broadly. If most people are only consumers of APIs and not creators of new value using APIs, it may lead to the concentration of wealth. However, if API providers enable more users to become creators by customizing, personalizing and building upon APIs, it could spread economic opportunity more widely. The speaker argues API providers should focus on empowering more users to create value with APIs through documentation, code samples, and other tools in order to have a more positive impact on society and the economy.