Canadian billionaire Kevin O’Leary is challenging the idea that AI only means layoffs and shrinking payrolls. The famous Shark Tank investor and recent Marty Supreme villain says that the view misses the bigger picture.
Kevin O’Leary Highlights AI’s Impact on Advertising and Customer Acquisition
Kevin took to X on February 16, 2026, and shared his take. He wrote that AI is opening major doors in content creation and marketing. From his perspective, the shift is already underway.
O’Leary pointed to how much companies spend trying to win and keep customers. Many businesses pour a sizable share of their revenue into advertising and outreach. If AI can help produce stronger content, improve engagement, and lower those costs, that changes the math.
He said people who know how to use these tools well will stand out. In his view, being able to apply AI to attract and retain customers makes you far more valuable in today’s market.
AI is Boosting the Creative Economy up to Six-Figure Income
In the video he posted on X, O’Leary drew a clear line between the old job market and what he sees today. He recalled that a few years ago, art school graduates were often looking at modest entry-level pay.
Now, he says, that path is no longer the only option. Independent creators are using AI tools to build their own client base and generate high income. Some are pulling in well into six figures each year.
He was clear that he was speaking from experience. He said he has written those checks himself. In his view, strong output that drives real business results commands top pay.
Data Centers Strain America’s Power Grid Infrastructure
Mr. Wonderful remains optimistic about AI’s business potential, but he has raised a red flag on infrastructure. He believes the bigger issue is energy supply. In his view, the U.S. grid is not expanding fast enough to support the surge in computing demand.
He has pointed to the pace of power buildout overseas and questioned whether America is moving quickly enough. AI systems rely on massive data centers that run around the clock. Without stronger capacity, he argues, growth could stall.
Former Google chief Eric Schmidt has sounded a similar warning. In a video posted on X in February 2026, he said the U.S. would need tens of gigawatts in additional power to keep up with AI expansion. He cautioned that the country is nearing its limits, as data centers run nonstop and require heavy cooling and a steady energy supply.
Kevin O’Leary Encourages Workers to Embrace AI Tools
O’Leary says AI is already part of daily business across many industries. Companies are using it to cut costs, move faster, and improve results. In his view, it is driving real gains in output and earnings.
He believes the public debate is stuck on layoffs. He argues that this overlooks the money and opportunity being created. New services are forming around AI. People who know how to use these tools are finding fresh ways to earn.
To him, the focus should shift. Instead of fearing job losses, he says workers and businesses should look at how to adapt. Those who learn the tools and apply them well stand to benefit.
