Mark Cuban: "AI will be so convincing that we'll have to meet in person again."

I disagree.

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• Ratings already let us choose which Uber driver or Postmates courier we meet.
• Authenticity ≠ physical proximity. It's the freedom to filter who we interact with.
• Digital marketplaces erase the old zip-code and income walls that once shaped our networks.

Why Commerce Thrives When We Choose Our Human Connections

Mark Cuban says that "within the next 3 years, there will be so much AI… people won't know if what they see or hear is real," and that this will push everyone "out of the office… in the field" for face-to-face business.

I disagree. Commerce already lets us curate human contact. Rating systems, driver preferences, and delivery instructions let me decide which Uber driver or Postmates courier I meet. The interaction is short, but it's filtered to match my comfort level. Authenticity comes from choice, not physical presence.

Zip codes and income used to shape our friend groups. Digital marketplaces remove those walls. I can favor drivers who share my music taste, tip couriers who bring treats for my dog, or switch platforms when the vibe feels off. That freedom is what builds trust.

If face-to-face were the real differentiator, the apps would push longer chats, shared coffee breaks, and ride-along playlists by default. They don't, because convenience beats prolonged contact. We want interaction on our terms—brief, positive, and optional—not mandatory field visits.

AI will flood screens with synthetic content, but the antidote isn't mandatory in-person meetings. It's smarter filters that surface the humans we already value. Commerce wins when every customer decides exactly how, when, and with whom to connect.