‘The smallest businesses don’t have the depth of expertise in AI’: Mark Cuban says you should start your job search there

Because of this, Cuban says that job seekers should start their search by applying to small businesses. Having AI skills additionally presents a way in for Americans because it makes it “easier and faster” for mom-and-pop operations to compete with larger corporations, he wrote.

The post drew hundreds of comments and a few replies from Cuban himself. One X user rebutted Cuban’s stance arguing that smaller companies use AI to reduce headcount needed.

“Not true,” Cubain replied. “They use it to do things they didn’t have enough time to do before.”

He told another user: “The smallest businesses don’t have the depth of expertise in AI. They need the help. Kids coming out of college have that expertise.”

Working at a small business will likely expedite your career skills, too. One user jokingly pointed out that joining a small business gives employees five years of experience in 14 months. To which Cuban simply replied “Facts.”

The AI job opportunity

Cuban’s is a big believer in the job opportunities AI can create at the small business level, even as major tech companies trim workforces to invest more in the technology. In the past year, he hasn’t been shy about sharing this advice with financial media outlets and on podcasts.

He has said that just 14% of businesses have embedded AI across their organizations and that millions of companies do not have dedicated AI budgets due to sheer size. This translates into much of the economy underusing AI’s potential, which presents a ripe opportunity for job seekers, including college graduates, to find well-paying jobs.

“Learn all you can about AI, but learn more about how to implement [it] in companies,” he said on the TBPN podcast last year. “Companies don’t understand how to implement all of that right now to get a competitive advantage.”

It’s advice he’s even giving his own kids.