The rise of Big AI has created one of the most meaningful career crossroads for GTM executives: double down on the explosive frontier of AI, or build long-term advantage inside the proven engine of Enterprise SaaS. Both paths offer enormous upside, but the rewards are earned in very different currencies.

Big AI is defined by unprecedented velocity. Companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Mistral are expanding ARR at rates that were once unimaginable - sometimes by thousands of percentage points each year.

IPO prospects are dramatically higher, equity upside is still relatively unconstrained, and every role sits just a few degrees away from shaping a generational platform. The work is ambiguous, high-risk, and intellectually demanding. It attracts those who want to operate at the frontier and are willing to trade stability for the possibility of life-changing outcomes.

Enterprise SaaS offers a different kind of value. With growth that compounds steadily year after year, platforms like Salesforce, Databricks, and Workday provide a dependable environment where skill, credibility, and career capital accumulate predictably.

Equity returns are more modest and largely priced in, but the brand recognition and operational depth you gain can unlock opportunities across industries for decades.

The nature of work diverges as well. Big AI roles are fewer in number but significantly more consequential, often tied to enterprise-wide transformation deals.

In contrast, Enterprise SaaS leans on high-volume, diversified pipelines and processes that have been refined over many cycles. One asks you to build the playbook; the other hands you one proven to scale.

Ultimately, the decision comes down to your risk appetite and your definition of “career currency.” If volatility energises you and you want a front-row seat to rewriting the global technology stack, Big AI is your arena.

If you prioritise stability, credibility, and compounding expertise, Enterprise SaaS remains one of the most reliable ladders in modern business.

Your career is shaped not only by your skills, but by where you choose to apply them - and the future you want to build.