When billionaire entrepreneur and investor Mark Cuban talks, people listen. And now he’s offering up some career advice to people looking for entry-level jobs in an increasingly AI world: go small.
AI skills will serve you better at small or mid-sized companies that are “typically entrepreneurially driven and don’t have the flexibility to have people research things,” Cuban told CNBC, adding that he’s given this advice to two of his children.
A new graduate can be brought in to work on an agentic AI project for relatively little money and yield immediate results for the company, he added. Meanwhile, IT departments within large companies will know how to use AI effectively, so that younger workers won’t stand out.
The pressure to adapt is only growing, as Elon Musk recently cautioned that an “AI tsunami” may be approaching and reshaping entire career paths.
Putting his money where his mouth is
Cuban’s own company, Cost Plus Drugs, is an example of where people with an understanding of agentic AI can examine the processes and leverage AI to automate them, Cuban noted. This can help the company “become more productive, competitive, and profitable,’’ he said.
Another compelling reason to focus on smaller companies is that they often lack the resources for a large IT department, and as a result, they need to compete differently.
“Just like we saw with the early days of the internet, you hired young kids who were more comfortable with it, who learned it already, and could come in and implement new things,” Cuban noted.
Who’s seeing measurable results from AI
A July MIT report found that 95% of organizations are seeing “zero return” from their investments in generative AI. However, some startups are seeing results in critical workflows by building their processes around AI models, according to the report.
During a recent podcast, Cuban said he tells his children and all young people that “there’s going to be two types of companies in this country: There’s going to be those who are great at AI and those who used to be in business … And if you’re looking for a job, it’s going to be easier to work for a small company than a large company.”
Soft skills matter
Other experts have emphasized the importance of highlighting soft skills, such as critical thinking, communication, curiosity, adaptability, and emotional intelligence, when applying for any job to potential employers.
And according to a report by the World Economic Forum, “as organizations come to grasp the full extent of what AI can do, they’re also coming to terms with all that it can’t do — those tasks that require the uniquely human skills that all businesses need.”
AI-driven job cuts have already pushed 2025 US layoffs past one million, underscoring why Cuban urges entry-level candidates to target smaller, AI-forward employers.