Mark Cuban Discusses the Role of AI in Business Growth at SXSW
At the South by Southwest (SXSW) conference on March 11, 2025, held in Austin, Texas, Mark Cuban, renowned mentor from Shark Tank, shared his insights on artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on business growth. Addressing a crowd filled with entrepreneurs and technology aficionados, Cuban emphasized that AI should be harnessed as a tool rather than viewed as a standalone solution.
“AI is never the answer. AI is the tool. Whatever skills you have, you can use AI to amplify them,”Cuban stated.
Cuban elaborated on how AI enables business owners to enhance their operations by facilitating research, providing answers to queries, and automating routine tasks. However, he cautioned against placing excessive reliance on these systems, stressing the necessity of understanding AI’s limitations.
AI as an Enhancer, Not a Replacement
During the session, Cuban reiterated that while AI can effectively support entrepreneurs, it should not replace human creativity or decision-making. He remarked on how advancements in technology have simplified the process of starting a business today.
“It’s so much easier to start,”Cuban remarked.
He noted that with merely a laptop and an internet connection, anyone can embark on their entrepreneurial journey, leveraging AI as a supportive asset.
“Now, you have a mentor, whether you use Perplexity, Anthropic Claude, ChatGPT, or Gemini — it doesn’t matter. You have experts,”Cuban explained.
While acknowledging that AI systems may err, he also recognized that human mentors encounter challenges of their own, implying that AI can still serve as a valuable resource.
Utilizing AI Tools for Operational Efficiency
According to Cuban, AI serves entrepreneurs by assisting in various areas such as research, drafting emails, and conducting sales calls. This support helps leaders identify gaps in their knowledge and streamline processes. Nonetheless, he pointed out that AI lacks the ability to discern a “good story from a bad story,”highlighting the necessity for human creativity.
Championing Continuous Learning in AI
Cuban stressed the critical importance of embracing and learning about AI to fully leverage its potential benefits.
“There’s so much changing that rapidly,”he noted.
He encouraged entrepreneurs to dedicate considerable time, “every waking minute,”to learn about AI, particularly for startups aiming to establish a foothold in the competitive landscape.
In addressing concerns about AI’s influence on creative sectors—like writing and video production—Cuban acknowledged AI’s capabilities in content creation, yet highlighted its limitations in evaluating quality and storytelling nuances.
“AI can do the video — trust me, I can create AI-generated videos. They’re still gonna s*ck,”he revealed.
Conclusion: Embracing AI for Competitive Advantage
Mark Cuban concluded by encouraging entrepreneurs to view AI as a means to amplify their capabilities, emphasizing that a refusal to leverage these tools could result in missed opportunities.
“But not using it means somebody else is going to be amplifying their skills — and that could be the difference between getting ahead of you or not,”he cautioned.
His message resonates with the critical need for adaptability in an era of rapid technological advancement while relying on personal skills and creativity to maintain a competitive edge.
You can catch fresh episodes of Shark Tank every Friday on ABC.