Billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban has declared the traditional Software-as-a-Service era over, arguing that AI-driven customization is replacing rigid tools that force businesses to adapt to software limitations. Speaking on the Technology Brothers podcast, Cuban stated that software is dead because AI models will now mold themselves around specific business needs in real time.

Cuban's assessment carries weight as software ETFs show significant underperformance in 2026. The iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF has dropped 19.34% while the State Street SPDR S&P Software & Services ETF declined 17.56%. Even tech giants like Microsoft Corp. are pivoting toward unique usage models rather than general-purpose platforms, recognizing the fundamental shift in how businesses will interact with technology.

The disruption creates massive opportunities for the next generation of workers. Cuban advises students to focus on AI implementation rather than creation, emphasizing that the real value lies in translating AI power for the 33 million small-to-medium businesses lacking dedicated AI departments. He predicts the Technical Translator role will become essential, bridging complex AI capabilities with real-world business problems.