Mark Cuban joined Scott Galloway and Ed Elson on The Prof G Pod to share his thoughts on media, TikTok, AI, and the future of business.
“At some point, we’ll figure out who the America Online is. We’ll figure out who the Yahoo is and then bam, it all changes,” said Cuban. “It’s not pre-ordained the way we see it today.”
Cuban believes some of today’s biggest AI players are destined to collapse, even if we don’t yet know which ones.
Even though he’s still optimistic about AI overall, Cuban was direct about the risks; he said it’s inevitable that some big companies in the space will crash and burn.
The wide-ranging conversation covered everything from Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension at ABC to why Cuban thinks investors should still go all in on artificial intelligence.
Media Pressure and Jimmy Kimmel
Cuban wasn’t shocked by the recent controversy involving Jimmy Kimmel’s brief suspension.
“It’s not the first time a major media company has put a star on hiatus for any number of reasons,” he said, pointing to past examples like Disney parting ways with Gina Carano.
While he admitted FCC comments were alarming, he separated them from ABC’s decision, calling them “two different issues.”
TikTok and Trump’s Deal-Making
The discussion shifted to TikTok, where Cuban voiced concern over how ownership might play out.
“It’s scary because there was no open auction,” he said of the potential deal that could put the platform under families like Ellison or Murdoch. He warned that new leadership doesn’t guarantee success: “There’s no assurances that this new version of TikTok … will be successful.”
On former President Donald Trump’s involvement, Cuban made his opinion: “Do I like it? No. Do I think it’s smart? No. Do I think it optimizes the opportunities for the companies involved? No. But at the same time, am I surprised? No.”
Why He Won’t Invest in Media
Asked about investing in media, Cuban shut the door.
“There’s no chance I’d invest in the media ecosystem at all anywhere,” he said, explaining that the space is too hit-driven and unpredictable. He added, “Whoever controls the algorithm controls your thoughts.”
AI’s Promise and Risks
Cuban sees AI as the dividing line between the companies that thrive and the ones that fade.
“There are two types of companies: those who are great at AI and those who used to be in business,” he said.
At his own Cost Plus Drugs plant, AI and robotics help beat overseas competitors on efficiency and cost.
Cuban pointed out that not every AI company is going to make it, and some of the biggest names today might be the ones that collapse.
Still, he believes the upside is worth the risk: “I still think you have to, right? You don’t know who the winner is going to be … I still think you’ve got to go all in.”
Healthcare and Deductibles
The entrepreneur also discussed healthcare, calling deductibles the biggest pain point in the system.
“If you can’t afford to pay your deductible, you can’t afford to get healthcare,” he said.
His solution: redirect ACA subsidies away from insurance companies and instead guarantee deductibles so families can access care.
Young People and Social Media
As a father, Cuban expressed concern over how algorithms shape kids’ views.
He argued for raising the minimum age for social media.
“You have to be 16 or more to use social media,” he said, adding that parents should have tools to see what their children watch.
“That algorithm knows more about him than I do,” Cuban said about his own son.
Defining Success
For Cuban, business is still about competition and learning, but his definition of success has shifted.
“Just waking up every day excited,” he said.
He noted that selling his majority stake in the Dallas Mavericks and leaving Shark Tank came down to prioritizing family: “Of all the things I want to say on my deathbed, being president, being rich, being called Dad.”
IMAGE CREDIT: “Mark Cuban” by Gage Skidmore, via Flickr. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. Image adjusted for layout.