Mark Cuban Predicts AI Will Generate Millions of New Jobs, Not Eliminate Them
American billionaire and former Shark Tank investor Mark Cuban has boldly challenged the widespread narrative that artificial intelligence will decimate software jobs. In a recent interview with the tech podcast TBPN, as reported by Business Insider, Cuban argued that AI adoption is poised to create millions of new roles across the United States. He highlighted a critical gap: tens of millions of companies currently lack dedicated AI budgets or in-house expertise, creating a massive demand for skilled professionals.
Implementation Over Engineering: A Golden Opportunity for Young Workers
Cuban emphasized that the real opportunity lies not just in engineering AI systems but in their practical implementation. "There is nothing intuitive for a company to integrate AI, and that's what people don't understand," he stated. "Every single company needs that." He advised high school and college students to invest time in learning how to use AI tools, create AI-generated videos, and customize models. This knowledge will enable them to teach business leaders how to harness the technology's full potential.
"This is where kids getting hired coming out of college are really going to have a unique opportunity," Cuban noted, pointing out that younger workers often exhibit more fearlessness in experimenting with AI compared to their older counterparts.
Cuban's Advice: Prioritize Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Over MNCs
Recently, Cuban urged young engineers entering the job market to focus on small and medium-sized companies rather than multinational corporations when seeking AI opportunities. He believes smaller firms offer a better platform for new graduates to make an immediate impact, whereas large corporations often dilute individual contributions.
Speaking in interviews with CNBC and on his podcast The Dumbest Guy in the Room, Cuban explained that smaller companies are typically entrepreneur-driven and lack the extensive IT departments found in larger organizations. This gap creates prime opportunities for fresh graduates to directly contribute to AI projects.
"Small- to medium-size companies don't have that depth. They are typically entrepreneurially driven and don't have the flexibility to have people research things. Bringing a new graduate on to work on agentic AI projects is inexpensive for them and can get them immediate results," Cuban said.
He cited his own company, Cost Plus Drugs, as an example, noting how AI can automate processes to enhance productivity, competitiveness, and profitability. Cuban argued that in big organizations, AI skills may not stand out as they are common among thousands of IT employees. In contrast, smaller firms often lack such expertise, making new graduates with AI knowledge invaluable assets.
This perspective underscores a shift in career strategy for the AI era, emphasizing hands-on experience and entrepreneurial environments over traditional corporate ladders.
