Mark Cuban, billionaire investor and entrepreneur, set off a storm of responses on Bluesky after claiming that most of the 29 million solopreneurs in the U.S. use AI to optimize how they run their businesses.
“There are 29m people running their own companies as solopreneurs. Most use AI to optimize their ability to run their company as they choose,” Cuban posted, linking to a Substack article titled “The 29 Million Army You’re Competing Against.”
The article, published Jan. 4, claims solopreneurs now contribute $1.7 trillion to the economy, roughly 6.8% of total U.S. business activity.
It describes a shift in work culture, saying that what began as a pandemic trend has now become a structural change.
According to the article, 77% of solopreneurs report profitability in their first year, and 20% are earning between $100,000 and $300,000 annually, often with the help of AI tools.
However, Cuban’s assertion that “most” of these business owners rely on AI sparked immediate backlash.
“No, we’re just consultants and contractors. Many of us are getting work fixing what AI breaks,” one person responded. “Where do you get the idea that ‘most’ independent entrepreneurs use this tech in any meaningful way?”
Another user added, “Mark is confusing AI with Excel,” which quickly became a common refrain in the replies.
Disputing the Data
The linked Substack article does cite a significant jump in AI use for customer relationship management (CRM), from 24% in 2023 to 43% in 2024.
It claims that businesses using AI in CRM are 83% more likely to exceed sales goals. It also says most successful solopreneurs spend $100 to $200 a month on AI tools, saving up to 20 hours a week.
But critics were not convinced.
“Most do not use AI, Mark. That is ridiculous,” one person wrote. Others criticized the lack of sources in the article, calling it “evidence-free” and “factually thin.”
One person said, “Let me be clear that anyone in my situation occasionally asking ChatGPT a question or using Grammarly on an email is technically ‘using AI’ but is most assuredly not ‘using AI to optimize their ability to run their company.’ C’mon man, be serious.”
Entrepreneurs Push Back
Some business owners shared personal examples that contradicted Cuban’s claim. “I run my own company. I do not use AI. In fact, my work has gone sideways into fixing all of the mistakes AI makes,” one person wrote.
Another posted, “Small business entrepreneur here. I don’t use AI save to map the best route for flyer posting at coffee shops.”
The Broader Picture
Despite the skepticism, the article Cuban cited does outline compelling trends.
More than half of solopreneurs hold bachelor’s degrees or higher, 60% plan to hire contractors instead of employees, and 76% report being satisfied with their work, a rate higher than in traditional employment.
The shift isn’t just about money. According to the article, 54% of solopreneurs started their business to be their own boss, while 53% prioritized flexible schedules. Only after those came income.
A Divided Reality
Still, many people felt Cuban’s take oversimplified a complex and diverse reality.
“Solo entrepreneurs are typically simple folks with simple businesses. It was always possible to run their businesses with minimal tech savvy. From street vendors to hair stylists, solo operators still do business the old-fashioned way,” one person wrote.
Another quipped, “You couldn’t pay me to use it, Mark.”
While Cuban framed AI as a widespread advantage for solopreneurs, many people pushed back hard.
The overwhelming sentiment: AI may be a helpful tool for some, but it’s far from a universal reality among the 29 million Americans working for themselves.
IMAGE CREDIT: “Mark Cuban & Doug Ducey ” by Gage Skidmore, via Flickr. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. Image adjusted for layout.