Apr 23, 2026
Artificial intelligence is moving fast, but not all businesses know how to fully reap its benefits. That disconnect, according to Mark Cuban, represents a major money-making opportunity.
In an interview with TBPN, the billionaire investor said too much attention is being paid to building AI tools, while not enough is focused on helping companies apply them in the real world.
Advertisement
"There are 33 million companies in this country. Thirty million of them are solopreneurs, right, single-person enterprises. There are millions… that aren't going to have AI budgets, aren't going to have AI experts," he said, pointing to a lack of in-house expertise across smaller firms (1).
That leaves much of the economy underusing AI's potential and, in Cuban's view, likely means there will be plenty of well-paying jobs for people able to help businesses apply it more effectively.
An overlooked job opportunity
Cuban has lived through multiple revolutionary tech changes, from personal computers to the internet. None of them, he believes, compare to AI.
"I've been through every single technology… and this blows them all away," he said.
One lesson Cuban learned from past experiences is that businesses tend to be slow to adapt. "When I was 24, I was walking into companies who had never seen a PC before in their lives and explaining to them value and having these guys going, 'well, son, I got this receptionist right there. I got that secretary, I'm never going to need that,'" he said.
Cuban sees a similar pattern today. AI tools are improving quickly, but many companies still don't know how to maximize them to improve their business.
Advertisement
Data supports this. According to the Census Bureau, by late 2025 only about 18% of U.S. firms had adopted AI (2). And among small businesses, adoption is even lower. A Goldman Sachs survey found just 14% of them have fully integrated AI into their core operations (3).
"AI is already helping small businesses compete, save time, and better serve customers, but many of us are still figuring out how to use it effectively," said Khari Parker, co-founder of Connie's Chicken and Waffles in Baltimore. "With the right guidance and training, AI can be transformational for Main Street."
Must Read
- Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are making 1 big Social Security mistake — are you doing the same?
- Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how
- Robert Kiyosaki says this 1 asset will surge 400% in a year and begs investors not to miss this ‘explosion’
Join 250,000+ readers and get Moneywise’s best stories and exclusive interviews first — clear insights curated and delivered weekly. Subscribe now.
Where the real opportunity lies
Part of the challenge is that AI isn't a plug-and-play tool. "You've got the head of Microsoft saying software is dead because everything's going to be customized to your unique utilization," Cuban said.
That shift is key. In the past, companies often had to adjust how they worked to fit the software they bought. With AI, the opposite is happening. The tools can be shaped around the business.
But that doesn't happen automatically. A retail shop, a logistics company and a small accounting firm will all need different setups. The tools exist, but someone has to understand the business, identify the problems and connect the dots.
That's where Cuban sees the biggest opportunity.
Advertisement
Instead of building new AI models, he believes the real value may lie in helping companies use existing tools in ways that fit their specific needs.
"This is where kids getting hired coming out of college are really going to have a unique opportunity," Cuban said. "When I'm telling my kids… and kids going to school, what should I do? I'd be like, 'learn all you can about AI, but learn more on how to implement them in companies.' Because… companies don't understand how to implement all that right now to get a competitive advantage."
In other words, the key isn't just understanding AI tools. It's knowing how to apply them to a specific business.
"You can walk into a company and say, 'I understand your business… let me show you how to benefit you,'" he said. "That is every single job that's going to be available for kids coming out of school because every single company needs that."
Article sources
We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our ethics and guidelines.
YouTube (1); U.S. Federal Reserve (2); Goldman Sachs (3)
You May Also Like
- Turning 50 with $0 saved for retirement? Most people don’t realize they’re actually just entering their prime earning decade. Here are 6 ways to catch up fast
- Inside a $1B real estate fund offering access to thousands of income-producing rental properties — with flexible minimums starting at $10
- Vanguard’s outlook on U.S. stocks is raising alarm bells for retirees. Here’s why and how to protect yourself
- Here are 5 easy ways to own multiple properties like Bezos and Beyoncé. You can start with $10 (and no, you don’t have to manage a single thing)
Daniel Liberto is a financial journalist with over 10 years of experience covering markets, investing, and the economy. He writes for global publications and specializes in making complex financial topics clear and accessible to all readers.
