AI: Your New Business Buddy, Not Boss

Mark Cuban, a well-known tech investor, recently spoke at a big conference in Austin. He had some interesting things to say about AI and small businesses. He believes AI can give small businesses a big boost, but it's not a magic solution. It's more like a helpful tool. Cuban thinks that new entrepreneurs should spend lots of time learning about AI. Why? Because it's changing so fast and can make starting a business easier than ever. He remembers when starting a business meant spending thousands on a computer. Now, all you need is a laptop and an internet connection. Plus, you've got AI mentors like Perplexity, Anthropic Claude, ChatGPT, and Gemini to guide you. But Cuban isn't blind to AI's flaws. He knows AI can make mistakes, just like human mentors. Still, these AI "experts" can help you figure out what you don't know and assist with tasks like research, emails, and sales calls. Cuban warns not to rely too much on AI. He says, "AI is never the answer. AI is the tool. " It can make your skills even better, but it can't replace them. This is especially true in creative fields like art and writing. Cuban thinks AI can help with things like making videos, but it can't tell a good story from a bad one. That's still up to you. He believes that if you don't use AI to improve your skills, someone else will. And that could be the difference between getting ahead or falling behind. Cuban's advice is clear: use AI to boost your skills, but don't let it do all the work. It's a powerful tool, but it's not the be-all and end-all. Think of it as a helpful buddy, not the boss.