Mark Cuban: CEOs Who Don't Embrace AI Won't Be CEOs for Long

The entrepreneur and investor shared his views on the transformative power of AI during Convergence AI Dallas.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 9:25pm

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A highly detailed, glowing 3D illustration of an expansive AI infrastructure, with illuminated cables, circuit boards, and server racks, conveying the scale and power of enterprise-level AI systems that are reshaping the future of business.As AI transforms the business landscape, companies that fail to fully integrate the technology risk being left behind in the race for innovation and efficiency.Dallas Today

Mark Cuban warned that CEOs who don't fully embrace artificial intelligence will be left behind, as the technology is already disrupting businesses across industries. During an interview at the Convergence AI Dallas conference, Cuban discussed how AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude are enabling new levels of efficiency and productivity, and explained why companies need to fundamentally rethink their operations to take full advantage of these capabilities.

Why it matters

Cuban's comments underscore the urgency for business leaders to adapt to the rapid advancements in AI. As the technology becomes more accessible and powerful, companies that fail to integrate it into their core operations risk falling behind more nimble competitors. This shift could have significant implications for the future of work and the competitive landscape across sectors.

The details

During the interview, Cuban highlighted examples of how he is using AI at his own companies, such as generating weekly price comparison reports at Cost Plus Drugs in a fraction of the time it would take manually. He emphasized that simply 'dabbling' in AI is no longer enough, and that businesses need to be willing to completely rethink their processes to fully capitalize on the technology's capabilities. Cuban also addressed concerns about AI displacing jobs, arguing that while there will be disruption, critical thinkers and those who learn to effectively leverage AI tools will continue to be in high demand.

  • The interview took place on April 8, 2026 at the Convergence AI Dallas conference.
  • Cuban warned that the next 3 years will see a major shakeup, with 'two types of companies: those who are great at AI and those who went out of business.'

The players

Mark Cuban

An entrepreneur, investor, and owner of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks, who is known for his outspoken views on technology and its impact on business.

Alex Kantrowitz

A business journalist and host of the Big Technology Podcast, who interviewed Cuban on stage at the Convergence AI Dallas event.

Cost Plus Drugs

A pharmaceutical company founded by Cuban that uses AI tools to automate tasks and improve efficiency.

Rebel Cheese

A Shark Tank company that uses an AI agent to automate the process of comparing shipping costs and requesting credits, saving the company $50,000 per month.

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What they’re saying

“Over the next three years, there's going to be two types of companies: those who are great at AI and those who went out of business.”

— Mark Cuban, Entrepreneur and Investor

“If you don't know what an agent is and you happen to work at a company or run a company, you're falling way behind.”

— Mark Cuban, Entrepreneur and Investor

“If all you're doing is reformatting or you're answering a question, yes or no, then there's a good chance you're going to be replaced by AI. But if you're a critical thinker, there's always going to be a need for you.”

— Mark Cuban, Entrepreneur and Investor

What’s next

The complete interview with Mark Cuban will be featured in an upcoming episode of the Big Technology Podcast.

The takeaway

Mark Cuban's comments underscore the urgency for business leaders to fully embrace AI and rethink their operations to stay competitive in an increasingly automated landscape. Companies that fail to adapt risk being left behind, while those that effectively leverage AI tools and cultivate critical thinking skills among their workforce will be poised for success.