Want AI to make you rich? Billionaire Mark Cuban believes it could produce world’s first trillionaire. Here's how he uses AI

Artificial intelligence is still being treated like a helpful tool by most people — something to draft emails, organise schedules or answer random questions. But billionaire investor and Shark Tank star Mark Cuban believes that view is far too limited. According to him, AI is still in its earliest phase and could eventually help create more personal wealth than anything seen before, possibly even leading to the world’s first trillionaire.

Cuban has been speaking openly about how AI is changing work, creativity and opportunity. In his interviews, he has repeatedly stressed that people are underestimating how big this shift could be, especially for individuals working on their own, outside large companies.

AI could mint a trillionaire, Cuban says

Mark Cuban, the former principal owner of the Dallas Mavericks, said artificial intelligence could help create the first trillionaire in history. Speaking on the High Performance podcast, he made it clear that the breakthrough may not come from a giant corporation.


“We haven’t seen the best or the craziest of what [AI is] going to be able to do,” Cuban said on the podcast, in an episode published last summer. “And not only do I think it’ll create a trillionaire, but it could be just one dude in the basement. That’s how crazy it could be.”

Cuban linked this idea to how some of the world’s biggest companies started small. Apple was founded by Steve Jobs in his parents’ garage. Jeff Bezos built Amazon in his garage as well. With AI lowering technical barriers, Cuban believes the next massive company could be built almost anywhere.

A modern example is OpenAI, which was formed in 2015 in cofounder Greg Brockman’s living room. The company is reportedly seeking funding at a valuation close to $800 billion, while CEO Sam Altman is estimated to be worth around $2 billion.

While that is still far from trillionaire territory, a September 2024 report by wealth-tracking service Informa Connect said Tesla CEO Elon Musk is on track to become a trillionaire by 2027.

“There’s always something bigger and better that’s created by an innovative entrepreneur,” Cuban said. “But AI just dwarfs all that.”

Why Cuban says AI is still in the “preseason”

Cuban believes people are only scratching the surface of what AI can actually do. He compares today’s moment to the early days of personal computers and the internet, when many dismissed those technologies as unnecessary.

He described the current phase of AI as the “preseason,” suggesting that the real impact is still ahead.

“As it becomes more advanced — and I’m not saying we’re going to get the Terminator — I’m not saying all of a sudden there’s going to be robots that are smarter than people, like the movie,” Cuban said on High Performance. “But we’ll find ways to make our lives better, more interesting, to work better, more effectively.”

How Mark Cuban personally uses AI

Cuban doesn’t just talk about AI — he uses it regularly. He said he relies on tools like ChatGPT for everyday tasks and even personal health tracking. Cuban has atrial fibrillation, or A-fib, and needs to monitor medications and workouts carefully.

He explained that he uses ChatGPT to log information and flag anything that seems unusual or concerning.

“And damn if it doesn’t do it,” Cuban said. “Now you’ve got to be careful. It’s like talking to a friend who you think knows a lot about something. You’ve still got to be careful and talk to an expert, but being able to do the process and just having things identified that I might not have known to look for was insane — just insane.”

Cuban is also clear about AI’s limits. Experts have warned that AI tools can make mistakes, especially in health, legal or financial areas. Cuban said he actively challenges the AI when something feels off. “There’s times when I don’t think the answer is what it should be, or I think it’s wrong,” he said. “And I’ll say, ‘I don’t think you’re right. I need you to show me the evidence of how you got to this decision.’”

“I’m not here to tell you that it’s going to replace everybody’s job. It won’t,” he said. Instead, he believes AI could become a powerful outlet for creativity, learning and even fighting boredom.