If you are curious about how to make money with AI, you are not alone. AI has changed the way we work. With the help of AI, things are being done in less time and with more efficiency.
In this article, I will share 5 simple side hustles that enable you to make money with AI. These are not just ideas but real ways that people are making money right now.
Why Now Is the Perfect Time
Imagine if you had launched a blog in 2012 or built an online course in 2015, or started a simple YouTube channel just 5 years ago around your hobby.
You'd probably be earning a lot today.
But right now, AI is the next big wave. You don’t need a big audience or a lot of money to start. Also, you don't need to be techy - that's going to be mostly the world of AI.
But this window won’t stay open forever. The earlier you jump in, the more advantage you’ll have. Let’s explore the five side hustles you can start while the opportunity is still hot.
1. AI-Generated Podcasts
Now, imagine launching a content channel where you don't even have to record your voice, show your face, or spend hours editing.
You could be publishing episodes while you're out living your life, and start earning through sponsorships, YouTube ads, and product sales.
And the crazy part is that most of the work can be automated with free tools like NotebookLM or other AI script generators. You can upload research notes or articles and turn them into a full "conversation-style" script.
You can use AI voice generators to actually record the podcast without speaking yourself. Imagine running a "Top 10 Business Ideas" podcast or "Weird True Crime Stories" — without even recording your voice.
If you want, you can even show your face or stay fully anonymous.
How can you monetize it?
You can monetize it with YouTube’s Partner Program, podcast sponsorships, or even promoting your own digital products.
This is the first side hustle, and what if I told you that you could create viral content, helpful blog posts, and high-converting pins... without writing everything manually?
Here comes your next AI side hustle.
2. AI-Powered Affiliate Marketing
You could earn commissions promoting products you already use — even with a tiny audience. Plus, you can do it faster than ever before with the help of AI.
Affiliate marketing simply means you recommend products, and when someone buys through your link, you earn a commission.
Now, with AI tools, you can speed up the process. For instance, you can:
- Use ChatGPT to write blog posts, video scripts, or product reviews
- Use Canva AI to create Pinterest pins and YouTube thumbnails
- Use tools like Opus Clip to make short videos automatically from long videos
You can focus on trending topics like AI tools, gadgets, or software. For example, if you find an AI tool you love — like a writing assistant or a design app — you can join their affiliate program, make a simple video review, and start earning commissions.
3. AI Wall Art + Print-on-Demand
This AI side hustle allows you to sell physical products online, without ever touching inventory, packing boxes, or handling shipping.
Could you turn beautiful AI images into passive income streams that work for you 24/7?
And you don't even need to be a professional artist to do it. This is possible with AI-generated wall Art combined with print-on-demand service.
You can create unique designs using AI tools like Midjourney, Leonardo AI, or Freepik, and then sell them through platforms like Gelato, with local printing and global shipping done for you.
To get a sense of how big this opportunity is, you can use Alura, an Etsy research tool. That is a life-changing opportunity!
If you use Freepik, you can upscale your images up to 4k. Now, you might be wondering — how do you actually print these designs onto products? And what about shipping?
That’s the beauty of print on demand. You create the design — the platform does the printing and shipping!
One of the best platforms for this is Gelato because they have local production in 32 countries, faster delivery, lower shipping costs, and a reduced carbon footprint. Plus, their free plan makes it easy to start.
You only pay after you sell a product — you keep the profit, typically 20-50% margins depending on the product. Gelato has an amazing 4.5 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot.
So it's a trustworthy platform, tested and loved by many people.
4. Custom AI Chatbots for Local Businesses
The next side hustle is perfect if you like working with real businesses and want higher payments upfront. Businesses are willing to pay thousands of dollars to have these set up for them.
Because they can save a lot of time and money if AI does customer support for them. Maybe not all of it, but answering the most common questions is totally doable for AI chatbots these days.
You can use no-code tools like Botpress or Flowise to set up simple sales bots for local businesses.
And you could offer these AI chatbots to businesses like:
- Hair salons
- Dentists
- Mechanics
- Online stores
These bots answer customer FAQs, capture leads, and even book appointments 24/7 without human intervention.
The process is super simple. Pick a local business niche, and use AI to train a basic chatbot with their website info. Offer a free demo to the business owner.
Charge a setup fee and/or a monthly maintenance fee. Here is a bonus tip:
Once you have one chatbot template, you can reuse it for 10–20 businesses with minor changes! Since you'll be working with businesses for this.
You will likely get more clients if you also have a legitimate business. So at some point, you might need to create an LLC.
When you are ready for this step, you can go to Tailor Brands and file an LLC.
You'll get your LLC filed, and you'll have access to a full dashboard of tools to set your business up for success.
5. AI-Summarized Market Research Reports
The next AI side hustle is also targeting business clients, specifically those with the financial means. This includes coaches, consultants, startups, and even health and wellness brands.
All of these clients need fresh insights but lack the time to read lengthy market research reports.
That’s where you can use AI and deliver exactly what they need, faster and easier than ever, just with the help of AI-Summarized Market Research Reports.
To summarize these complicated reports, you can use the NotebookLM tool. Create trend reports, write industry insights, or even case studies.
Package these as professional PDFs using Canva and sell them to businesses, startups, investors, or agencies. You can charge anywhere from $200 to $1,000 per report, depending on the depth of the research.
If you want to get started, pick an industry you know well (like digital marketing, AI trends, or sustainability) and create a few samples.
For example, let's say you picked Health & Wellness Scientific Study Summaries.
You can make a bundle of summarized medical and wellness research papers (for example, the latest studies on gut health, longevity supplements, and biohacking trends).
Your target clients could be: health coaches, fitness influencers, supplement brands, and wellness bloggers.
It has the potential to earn you an amount between: $250–$600 per bundle.
Why does it sell?
Coaches and brands need science-backed content to build trust, but they don't want to spend hours reading boring studies. So, your clean summaries help them create better content faster.
Another example is Sustainability and Green Tech Insights; you can create an executive-style briefing about new trends in green energy, eco-friendly startups, or government sustainability initiatives.
You can target clients like startups, eco-friendly brands, nonprofit organizations, and investors focused on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) sectors.
Here you can charge between: $400–$1,000, depending on the project complexity.
Final Thoughts: How to Make Money with AI
So, we conclude that there is a lot more opportunity in the field of AI. You’ll be surprised how many companies would love to outsource this type of work to you.
However, the hardest part is not finding ideas — it’s taking action. Pick one that feels exciting to you and commit to trying it out for the next 30 days.
