Mark Cuban Predicts The World's First Trillionaire Won't Be Elon Musk – It'll Be Whoever Can Master Ai 'In Ways We Never Thought Of'

Elon Musk is on top of the world – literally. With a net worth over $400 billion, he's the richest person alive, breaking records left and right. And while some analysts think he's on track to become the world's first trillionaire, not everyone agrees.

Back in 2017, Mark Cuban threw out a bold prediction at SXSW. He said, "The world's first trillionaires are going to come from somebody who masters AI and all its derivatives and applies it in ways we never thought of." This wasn't a widely accepted idea at the time – AI was still a buzzword more than a business driver. But now? Cuban looks like he might be onto something.

Don't Miss:

• ‘Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. You can invest today for just $0.26/share with a $1000 minimum.
• Nancy Pelosi Invested $5 Million In An AI Company Last Year — Here's How You Can Invest In Multiple Pre-IPO AI Startups With Just $1,000

Fast forward to today, and AI has gone from niche to everywhere. In 2023, a McKinsey report showed that over 65% of organizations were using AI in some capacity, a huge jump from the 20% figure in 2017. The industry itself has exploded into a $196 billion market with a projected annual growth of 36.6%. This isn't just about better chatbots or faster customer service – AI is actively reshaping industries like health care, manufacturing and entertainment.

Take Nvidia, for example. Once just a chipmaker for gamers, it's now the most valuable company in the world, hitting a mind-boggling $3.49 trillion market cap in 2025. Its GPUs are the backbone of generative AI, powering tools like ChatGPT and other cutting-edge technologies. Companies like Tesla and Amazon are also all-in on AI – whether it's powering autonomous cars or optimizing logistics for global operations.

Trending: Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart & Target – Many are rushing to grab 4,000 of its pre-IPO shares for just $0.26/share!

But Cuban wasn't just talking about today's heavy hitters. His real point was that the trillionaire of tomorrow might be someone we've never even heard of – someone who uses AI in a way nobody has imagined. He painted a picture of a future where AI mastery could unlock impossible opportunities.

He also pointed out that the rise of AI would completely reshape the workforce. Cuban warned, “whatever you are studying right now, if you are not getting up to speed on deep learning, neural networks, etc., you lose." He predicted that even jobs like accounting could become fully automated. Instead, he argued that fields like philosophy might become more valuable. Why? Because understanding people, solving complex human problems and applying creative thinking could be just as critical as technical skills in an AI-driven world.

While Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos are still favorites to hit trillionaire status first, Cuban's idea leaves room for a wild card – a garage inventor or scrappy entrepreneur who finds a way to leverage AI in truly groundbreaking ways. With AI projected to add $19.9 trillion to the global economy by 2030, the stage is set for someone to redefine wealth entirely.

Cuban's prediction? It's no longer just bold – it's starting to look inevitable.

Read Next:

• Built on the trusted network of Fortune 500 companies, this blockchain company partners with Salesforce to uproot lengthy and expensive B2B transactions, and you can invest with just $100.
• Inspired by Uber and Airbnb – Deloitte's fastest-growing software company is transforming 7 billion smartphones into income-generating assets – with $1,000 you can invest at just $0.26/share!