Billion dollar one person startups are a silly target too, because as we approach that possibility, society will adjust.
I know Sam Altman peddled this concept, but he's not representative of the culture and principles of the entire AI/ML space. So it was wrong of OP to attempt to use his words against the entire idea of neural models.
I do think the point that solo companies that could have been billion dollar start-ups might get a lower market cap if they can be done solo with AI tools is a good one. But that seems a lot more nuanced than calling the idea something like a Mach 1 car.
I think this is like pointing out that we lowered the speed of sound as technology developed, so a Mach 1 car doesn’t mean the same thing anymore, if we want the analogies to line up. Of course I’ve stretched the analogy well past any hope of making sense at this point, haha.