"Going to change everything" — Shark Tank’s Mark Cuban on the impact of AI

Mark Cuban, the prominent billionaire investor known for his role on Shark Tank, has long recognized the power of emerging technologies. In a statement from an interview with Big3 in January 2020, Cuban emphasized that artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to have a monumental impact, saying:

“Artificial intelligence is going to change everything.”

He believes AI’s influence will be greater than the internet, mobile phones, and other groundbreaking technologies. Mark Cuban highlighted that as AI continues to evolve, its role in transforming industries, economies, and job markets will become increasingly evident.

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The revolutionary impact of AI: Shark Tank star Mark Cuban's vision for the future

The transformative potential of AI

Shark Tank star Mark Cuban has made it clear that AI is not just another incremental advancement in technology but a force capable of reshaping the world as we know it. He explained that AI will have a more profound impact than the internet, mobile phones, and other significant developments.

"It's gonna dwarf everything and it's harder to learn so it's harder to implement which means it's going to change a lot of thing," he shared on Big3.

According to Cuban, AI’s arrival will be accompanied by significant challenges, but it will also create a wealth of new opportunities for those who can adapt.

"Not everybody's going to be able to adapt and so it's going to be really scary but also interesting and create a lot of opportunities as we go forward."

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AI as a catalyst for wealth creation and entrepreneurship

For entrepreneurs and businesses, Cuban views AI as a key to unlocking new sources of wealth. Drawing on his experience as a Shark Tank investor, Cuban believes that those who can apply AI in creative and innovative ways will have the opportunity to create significant value.

"That's one of the things I spend a lot of time on reading about artificial intelligence reading about applications reading about how to build you know machine learning models or neural networks," he shared on Big3.

He likened AI to the personal computer boom in the 1990s or the rise of internet streaming in the late 1990s—technologies that led to major financial successes for entrepreneurs who saw their potential early.

Cuban suggests that if he were a teenager today, he would use AI tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT or Google’s Gemini to develop a side hustle. He told CNBC Make It:

“Then, I would go to businesses, particularly small- to medium-sized businesses that don’t understand AI yet...Doesn’t matter if I’m 16, I’d be teaching them as well.”

He outlined a simple strategy: learn how to write effective prompts for AI chatbots, teach others—such as friends or small businesses—how to use those prompts, and then turn this expertise into a service that could benefit businesses, particularly those that have yet to fully grasp AI’s capabilities.

He highlighted that AI prompt engineering is a significant and profitable area. According to the job board platform ZipRecruiter, the starting salary for AI tutors is approximately $30,000 annually, while full-time AI prompt engineers can make as much as $129,500.

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Negotiation strategies for the AI era

Mark Cuban also highlights the role of effective negotiation in achieving success, particularly in the rapidly changing AI landscape. On Shark Tank, Cuban has shown that negotiation skills, like patience and strategic concessions, can help individuals and businesses secure deals that are beneficial in the long term. Cuban explained on CNBC Make It:

“One: They’re patient because they know what they’re trying to accomplish. Two: They don’t try to win every deal point. It’s OK to give something in order to get the deal done.”

Whether negotiating for funding or seeking partnerships with AI companies, understanding how to negotiate effectively is a valuable skill in an AI-driven economy.

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Catch new episodes of Shark Tank every Friday at 8 PM ET on ABC, where entrepreneurs pitch their ideas to the Sharks. Stream past deals, negotiations, and success stories on Shark Tank on Hulu anytime!