I were student today, I would …, say Billionaire Mark Cuban on taking advantage of opportunities that internet and AI have made possible

Billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban has shared his views on teens are prioritising financial management. Cuban says that US teens are placing unprecedented importance on financial success and he feels that the shift is not only understandable but its full of opportunity. As per the data from John Burns Research and Consulting, shared by Blue Rose Research’s David Shor, 36% of American 12th graders in 2022 said money is “extremely important” to them—the highest percentage in over five decades. That’s a sharp rise from the 26% average seen through the early 2010s.

Gen Z’s money mindset

The reasons behind the financial focus are clear: stagnant wages, increasing college costs, inflation and the and the constant stream of wealth-centric content on platforms like TikTok and YouTube. Many of the Gen Z teens have grown up watching their families navigate economic hardship and now face their own financial pressures.“Zoomers care more about making money than any generation in at least 50 years,” Shor posted on Bluesky. Cuban responded, “Doesn’t surprise me. Every kid has people around them making money posting videos. Beats a newspaper route!”

Mark Cuban’s advice: Learn AI, teach AI, monetize AI

In an interview with CNBC, Cuban mentioned what he would do if he were 16 today: learn how to write prompts for AI tools like ChatGPT, teach others how to use them, and offer those skills to local businesses. “Doesn’t matter if I’m 16,” he said. “I’d be teaching them as well.”

Cuban believes prompt engineering—crafting effective inputs for AI tools—is a high-value skill that can generate serious income, even six figures, without a college degree.

Books and bots over garbage bags

Reflecting on his own entrepreneurial beginnings selling garbage bags door-to-door at age 12, Cuban now urges teens to embrace digital tools. “Read books and learn how to use AI in every way, shape and form you can,” he posted on Bluesky. “It is a living library that gives you responses and can help no matter who you are or where you live.”Instead of selling physical products, Cuban says today’s youth can sell knowledge, skills, and content—often to a global audience.As Gen Z continues to redefine what it means to earn, Cuban’s message is clear: the internet and AI aren’t just tools—they’re gateways to

financial independence

, creativity, and a future where hustle meets innovation.