As artificial intelligence continues to transform workplaces and automate routine tasks, many workers are wondering where the next wave of job opportunities will come from. Much of the conversation around AI and jobs has been a tug-of-war between uncertainty and optimism, with fears of mass displacement clashing against hopes that the technology will create new opportunities.
Now, billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban believes AI could end up doing just that, particularly for small businesses.
In a post shared on Tuesday, Cuban pushed back on concerns that AI would reduce hiring at these firms, arguing instead that the technology could help more small businesses get off the ground and grow. As a result, he said job seekers should not overlook small businesses when searching for opportunities in the years ahead.
Here are some of the key reasons behind that view.
/1. Small businesses create ~60% of new jobs every year
One of Cuban's main arguments is that small businesses have historically been the biggest source of job creation in the United States.
While Cuban did not cite the source of the figure, data from the U.S. Small Business Administration shows that small businesses generated 12.9 million net new jobs and accounted for 66% of employment growth over the last 25 years.
/2. AI makes it easier and faster for them to compete with larger companies
From an entrepreneurial perspective, one reason Cuban remains optimistic about job creation is that many small businesses still lack the AI expertise that larger companies have already built in-house. As a result, they may need workers who know how to use technology effectively.
"The smallest businesses don't have the depth of expertise in AI," Cuban wrote. "They need the help. Kids coming out of college have that expertise."
/3. The % of jobs created by small businesses every year will only increase.
Cuban’s broader point about small businesses, though questionable, as some users on X still wonder how AI technology could increase job opportunities, is rooted in a longer-term trend in the labor market. Smaller firms have consistently played a major role in driving employment growth, and recent data suggest that influence may be strengthening.
According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, firms with fewer than 250 employees accounted for 51% of net job creation between the third quarter of 2020 and the third quarter of 2025.
This suggests that job growth is already concentrated in smaller firms, which are often more flexible, faster to adapt, and more likely to emerge in new sectors. If AI continues to lower the barrier to starting and scaling businesses, that share could increase further in the years ahead
/4. Start your job search with small businesses
With mixed reactions online, the billionaire’s comments have sparked debate over whether small businesses really offer a better starting point for new graduates. Some users agreed with his view, with one writing: “Join a small business. You'll get 5 years of experience in about 14 months.”
Cuban echoed the sentiment with a simple “facts,” reinforcing his position.
His remarks also align with advice he gave to new graduates in December, according to Business Insider Africa. He encouraged recent graduates to consider small and midsize businesses, saying they are often better places to gain hands-on experience with emerging technologies like AI.
David Adubiina
