Introduction
AI gives you the power to create, automate, and scale side hustles that would’ve taken a full team just a few years ago. Whether you’re looking for extra cash or building a long-term escape plan, this guide walks you through the most profitable AI opportunities available right now—from voice cloning and short-form video automation to app development, ebook publishing, blogging, and more.
But let’s be clear—this isn’t magic money. Many of these side hustles will take time to scale. You’ll still need to do real work: designing, testing, writing, refining. Making money with AI is easier than ever—but it’s not effortless.
That said, once you’ve built your systems, many of these side hustles can run on autopilot, generating passive income with minimal upkeep. Automate as much as possible, replicate what works, and multiply it. For example, one AI-generated ebook might earn a few dollars—but one hundred books? Or one thousand? That’s how you scale to real profits.
A Word of Advice
Most of these AI side hustles will become oversaturated within 12–24 months—if not sooner. The internet is rapidly being flooded with AI-generated content across every platform: blogs, videos, ebooks, social posts, and more.
So don’t expect any of these income streams to last long-term. If you’re serious about making money, you need to start now and scale whichever side hustle you choose as quickly as possible.
Also, keep this in mind when signing up for tools or platforms: I strongly recommend against committing to long-term or annual subscriptions. Not only will many of these opportunities fade as saturation increases, but AI technology is advancing rapidly—and powerful open-source models are being released for free.
Voice Cloning
Overview
Clone your voice using ElevenLabs and list it on their marketplace. Buyers can then use it to create audiobooks, training content, and more.
Potential Profit
Low – Moderate
Initial Investment
Moderate ($11/month ElevenLabs Creator Plan for each voice; $5/month after downgrading. A professional microphone is optional but recommended for higher-quality recordings.)
How It Works
- Prepare Your Script
Use public domain books from Project Gutenberg or generate a custom script with ChatGPT based on your intended audience or niche. Match the tone of the script to how you want your voice to be used (e.g., storytelling, business, instructional). - Record Audio
Use Audacity to record around 2 hours of clean, high-quality audio in a quiet environment. Speak naturally and clearly. Split the recordings into ~30-minute segments to make uploading easier. - Clone Your Voice
Sign up for ElevenLabs’ Creator Plan ($11 for the first month) and follow the Official Professional Voice Cloning Guide to generate your AI voice. - Publish and Advertise
Once your voice is approved, publish it to the ElevenLabs marketplace. Promote it by creating demo content like audiobooks, narrations, and short clips, then share them across social media and content platforms.
Optional – Singing Voice Licensing
You can also license your singing voice with Kits.AI by following the steps here.
AI Short Videos
Overview
Use AI tools to create short videos and post them on platforms like YouTube Shorts, TikTok, and Instagram Reels. Monetize through ad revenue or other methods like affiliate links, sponsorships, or a merch store. This is a long-term side hustle that takes time to grow and requires a bit of luck in choosing the right video niche.
Potential Profit
Moderate – High (scales with views, number of channels, and posting frequency)
Initial Investment
Moderate (starting around $15/month; cost increases with the number of videos you create)
How It Works
- Pick a Niche and Set Up Your Channel
Choose a content theme (e.g., finance tips, history facts) and create your channel on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram Reels, etc. Use Canva or AI image generators like Ideogram to design your banner and profile picture. - Generate Scripts (Optional)
Use ChatGPT to write short scripts tailored to your niche. Some AI video platforms can auto-generate scripts based on your chosen topic. - Create Videos with AI Tools
Use platforms like Faceless.video, Crayo, or AutoShorts to generate complete videos with visuals, voiceovers, music, and captions. - Post Your Videos
Publish your videos across multiple platforms. Use automation tools like Make.com or n8n.io to streamline cross-platform posting.
AI Ebook Creation
Overview
Use large language models like ChatGPT to write ebooks on niche topics and sell them through platforms like Amazon KDP or Gumroad. You can also monetize through print versions, and even convert them into audiobooks.
Potential Profit
Moderate (scales with topic demand, marketing effort, and number of books published)
Initial Investment
Low – Moderate (optional costs for formatting tools, cover design, and paid ads)
How It Works
- Choose a Topic
Pick a niche with strong demand—ideally one that solves a specific problem (e.g., budgeting, habit building, confidence). Browse the Amazon Kindle Store or use ChatGPT to brainstorm profitable ideas. - Write the Book with AI
Use ChatGPT, Claude, or another LLM to create an outline, then generate chapters one by one. Edit and fact-check as needed. Add your own research from trusted sources like expert blogs, Reddit threads, or YouTube interviews to improve quality. - Create a Cover
Generate a cover using ChatGPT/Sora, Ideogram, or Canva. Make sure it fits your niche and looks clean and professional. - Publish and Promote
Upload your ebook to Gumroad for fast, direct sales or Amazon KDP for greater reach. Promote using Reddit, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok, then scale with Meta and Google Ads.
AI Comics
Overview
Create and sell digital comics using GPT-4o’s image generation with built-in speech bubbles and panel layouts. You can publish short strips, manga, or full-length comic books and monetize through platforms like Webtoon, Patreon, or by selling print versions using Amazon KDP.
Potential Profit
Moderate (scales with number of comics and fanbase size)
Initial Investment
Moderate (ChatGPT Plus subscription, optional editing tools like Clip Studio Paint)
How It Works
- Plan Your Comic
Use ChatGPT to develop the comic’s format, characters, setting, and story arc. Create a brief character sheet to ensure visual consistency throughout. - Generate The Comic with GPT-4o or Sora
Write detailed prompts for each page describing the panel layout, speech, characters, and setting. Then generate them one at a time. - Edit and Finalize (Optional)
For better results, manually add speech bubbles using tools like PhraseIt, Krita, or Clip Studio Paint. This helps avoid misplaced text bubbles. - Publish and Monetize
Share your comic on platforms like Reddit, Instagram, or Webtoon. Monetize them using Patreon, print-on-demand merch, or sell physical books via Amazon KDP.
AI App Development
Overview
Build and launch web or mobile apps using AI-powered coding tools without any programming experience.
You can either monetize your own apps through subscriptions and ads, or sell finished templates and MVPs to others.
Potential Profit
High (scales with app traffic, or number of MVPs/templates sold)
Initial Investment
Moderate – High (Cursor/Lovable subscription, domain & hosting for web apps, optional paid ads. Publishing fees: $25 one-time for Google Play Store, $99 annually for Apple App Store)
How It Works
- Promote the App
Submit your app to launch directories like Product Hunt, BetaList, and AlternativeTo (find more at indielaun.ch). Promote it in niche communities on Facebook, Reddit, or Discord, and use short-form video platforms like TikTok or Reels to showcase your app. Scale with influencer promotions or paid ads.
2. Choose a Platform
Pick a tool that fits your skill level and workflow. Use Lovable if you’re a beginner, Cursor for more flexibility and lower cost, or Cline/Roo Code for a free open-source option (setup guides: OpenRouter, Gemini 2.5 Pro).
3. Plan Your App
Choose whether you’re creating a web or mobile app and identify your niche. Use ChatGPT to write a planning doc that includes the app’s purpose, key features, layout ideas, and user flow. Browse Product Hunt, the App Store, or Google Play for ideas.
4. Build the App
Paste your planning doc into your chosen tool and generate the first version. Fix errors and make improvements by describing changes in plain language. Once it’s working, deploy the app to the web or publish it to the app store.
5. Monetize the App
Offer subscriptions via Stripe (web) or in-app purchases (mobile). Add display ads with Google AdSense or AdMob. You can also sell your app as a template on CodeCanyon, list the full version on Flippa, or build MVPs for clients as a paid service.
AI Graphic Design Services
Overview
Offer graphic design services using GPT-4o to generate commercial-ready visuals for small businesses, authors, and ecommerce brands. Monetize by selling logo design, marketing assets, book covers, mockups, and more on freelance platforms or directly through your own website.
Potential Profit
Moderate – High (scales with hours worked and prices)
Initial Investment
Moderate ($20/month for ChatGPT Plus; optional platform for hosting portfolio, like Adobe Portfolio or Squarespace)
How It Works
- Build a Targeted Portfolio
Create sample designs for the niche you want to serve (e.g., logos for cafés, book covers for authors) using GPT-4o or Sora. Host your portfolio on free platforms like Behance or upgrade to a paid option like Adobe Portfolio or Squarespace for a more professional look. - Decide What Services to Offer
Choose the design services you’ll provide based on your target audience. Options include logo design, social media graphics, business cards, posters, book covers, product mockups, and more.
(Optional): Create bundles like a “New Business Starter Pack” or “Author Launch Kit” to offer more value and streamline your offers. - Find Clients
Promote your services in Facebook Groups or relevant subreddits on Reddit (e.g., r/smallbusiness, r/selfpublish). - Deliver High-Quality Results
Emphasize clean, professional visuals and quick turnaround. Focus on meeting client needs and maintaining a consistent style that aligns with their brand.
AI Stock Images and Graphics
Overview
Use GPT-4o or Midjourney to generate AI stock photos and digital graphic assets, then sell them on marketplaces like Adobe Stock, Creative Market, or Etsy. These are ideal for marketers, content creators, and small business owners looking for visuals they can reuse.
Potential Profit
Low – Moderate (scales with volume)
Initial Investment
Moderate (ChatGPT Plus, Ideogram or Midjourney subscription)
How It Works
- Write Prompts for Commercial-Use Content
Use ChatGPT to create clear, keyword-targeted prompts for high-demand visual categories.- For stock photos, focus on themes like business, wellness, fitness, real estate, and technology.
- For graphics, create prompts for reusable design elements like illustrations, clipart, patterns, icons, and logos.
Example prompt: “Overhead shot of a clean office desk with a laptop, notebook, and coffee mug, soft daylight, stock photo style.”
- Generate the Images
Use GPT-4o, Ideogram, or Midjourney to turn your prompts into polished, commercial-ready visuals. Experiment with different styles and compositions, and save your best results for selling. - Upload and Sell on Marketplaces
- Sell stock photos on platforms like Adobe Stock, Freepik, 123RF, and Dreamstime.
- Sell graphic assets on Creative Market, Design Bundles, and Creative Fabrica.
- Alternatively, bundle themed sets and sell them on Etsy, Gumroad or your own website to set your own prices and build a branded storefront.
AI Print-on-Demand Store
Overview
Sell AI-generated designs on products like t-shirts, posters, mugs, and more without managing inventory. Print-on-demand (POD) platforms handle printing and shipping, while you focus on creating designs and marketing your store. You can sell through marketplaces like Redbubble or set up your own branded storefront.
Potential Profit
Moderate – High (scales with volume, number of stores and products, and marketing effort)
Initial Investment
Moderate – High (Subscription for ChatGPT Plus or Ideogram, optional fees for paid ads, and storefront fees if using Shopify)
How It Works
- Write Prompts and Generate Designs
Choose a niche and product type (e.g., meme shirts, aesthetic posters, or pet mugs). Use ChatGPT to write image generation prompts, then use GPT-4o or Ideogram to create high-quality designs.
Example prompt: “Retro mountain landscape in bold colors, flat vector style, centered composition, suitable for a t-shirt design.” - Upload Designs to POD Platforms
Add your designs to marketplaces like Redbubble or Merch by Amazon, which are easy to start with but offer less control.
For full control over pricing, branding, and product selection, use Etsy or build your own store with Shopify connected to providers like Printful or Printify. Use ChatGPT to write SEO-friendly product titles and descriptions. - Promote Your Store
Share your products on social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, Reddit, and X. Post mockups, trending content, and niche-specific visuals consistently.
Once you’re ready to scale, run paid ads on Meta Ads or Google Ads starting with a small daily budget.
AI Image Prompt Packs
Overview
Sell downloadable image prompt packs designed for GPT-4o or Midjourney. These packs help creators, designers, and business owners generate high-quality visuals without needing to learn prompt engineering. Common packs include templates for t-shirts, social media ads, coloring books, planners, and mockups.
Potential Profit
Low – Moderate (scales with volume and marketing)
Initial Investment
Moderate (Subscription cost for ChatGPT Plus or Midjourney)
How It Works
- Write and Test Prompts
Choose a theme with practical use (e.g., real estate ads, printable planners, or t-shirt designs). Use ChatGPT to write a variety of prompts, then test and refine them using GPT-4o, Sora or Midjourney. - Organize Your Pack
Format your pack in Google Docs, Word, or Notion. Each pack should include:- The exact prompts (copy/paste ready)
- Example output images
- Instructions on how to use the prompts with GPT-4o
- Sell Through Digital Marketplaces
List your packs on Etsy or Gumroad and drive sales through marketing. For individual prompt sales, use PromptBase.
AI-Generated Music
Overview
Use AI tools to write, produce, and publish full songs without any music production experience. Pair your tracks with surreal AI-generated music videos to grow on platforms like YouTube Shorts and TikTok. You can monetize through streaming royalties, music licensing, or by building a fictional artist brand.
Potential Profit
Moderate (scales with number of videos created and virality)
Initial Investment
Moderate – High (Suno/Udio subscription, optional Runway subscription for music videos)
How It Works
- Write the Lyrics
Use ChatGPT to generate song lyrics based on your chosen theme (e.g., “a vampire in love with a robot” or “Trump vs. Gandalf rap battle”). - Generate the Song
Use Suno or Udio to turn the lyrics into a full track with vocals, melody, and instrumentation. - Create Cover Art and Publish
Design the cover using GPT-4o, Ideogram, or Midjourney, then distribute the song to Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube using a service like DistroKid. - (Optional) Create a Music Video
Generate the base visuals with GPT-4o or Midjourney, animate them using Runway, then edit the final video using free tools like DaVinci Resolve or CapCut and upload to Youtube.
AI Audiobook Creation
Overview
Use AI tools to turn public domain books or AI-written content into audiobooks with natural-sounding narration. Upload them to YouTube for ad revenue, or distribute through audiobook platforms like Spotify and Apple Books to earn royalties.
Potential Profit
Moderate (scales with number of uploads and marketing ability)
Initial Investment
Low – High (free with open-source TTS tools; ElevenLabs subscription required for Spotify and other audiobook platforms—expensive for longer books)
How It Works
- Write or Source the Book
Use ChatGPT to create short guides, stories, or self-help books—or use public domain texts from Project Gutenberg. Stick to evergreen content like productivity, philosophy, or classic fiction. - Convert the Text to Audio
Use ElevenLabs for highly realistic narration accepted by audiobook retailers. For YouTube-only uploads, you can use free text-to-speech tools like Kokoro or Audiblez. - Design a Cover and Publish
Create your audiobook cover using GPT-4o or Ideogram. Publish through Findaway Voices to reach Spotify, Google Play Books, and more. For YouTube, pair the audio with a static background and upload as a video to monetize with ads. - Advertising Your Audiobooks
Create professional audiobook mockups using GPT-4o and scale with paid ads using Meta Ads or Google Ads to reach a wider audience.
Custom GPTs
Overview
Create specialized AI assistants using ChatGPT that solve specific problems—such as writing, research, and data analysis, or for entertainment. You can monetize them by charging for access, embedding affiliate links, or displaying ads through third-party platforms.
Potential Profit
Moderate (scales with number of GPTs created, marketing, and monetization methods)
Initial Investment
Low – Moderate ($20/month ChatGPT Plus, Free for Poe)
How It Works
- Build a GPT for a Specific Use Case
Choose a niche and use ChatGPT’s GPT Builder to define your assistant’s purpose and behavior. Add detailed instructions, prompt starters, and optional uploaded knowledge files for customization. - Test and Refine
Test your GPT’s responses and improve the instructions to make the assistant more useful, accurate, and aligned with its intended purpose. - Monetize and Share
Monetize by: - Poe (Optional)
You can also earn through Poe‘s built-in monetization. You can copy and paste your GPT’s instructions directly into Poe to quickly recreate your assistants on their platform.
AI UGC Ads
Overview
Use AI avatar tools to create realistic user-style video ads for brands. These videos are perfect for platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts—and can be sold to ecommerce stores, agencies, and small business owners.
Potential Profit
Moderate – High (scales with volume and pricing)
Initial Investment
Moderate – High ($24–$99/month for Heygen or Creatify; optional ad budget to promote your service)
How It Works
- Create Sample Videos
Use Creatify (recommended) or Heygen to make example UGC ads targeting specific niches like ecommerce, roofing, or landscaping. Post your samples to YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram to build visibility and to build a portfolio that you can show to clients. - Find Clients
Share your samples in Facebook Groups, or run paid ads on TikTok and Meta. Focus on small businesses or ecommerce stores who need fast, affordable ad content. - Write the Script
Use ChatGPT to write a short, benefit-focused ad script tailored to the product or service that your client is advertising. For ecommerce stores, you can auto-generate scripts using the product URL directly inside Creatify or Heygen. - Generate the Video
Select an avatar and voiceover style that fits the brand. Upload the script, adjust pacing and pronunciation if needed, choose the caption style and background music, then export the final video and deliver to the client.
AI Online Course Creation
Overview
Use AI tools to generate and sell online courses on high-demand topics like AI, wealth creation, or productivity. Host them on platforms like Udemy or Skool for built-in traffic.
Potential Profit
High (scales with number of courses created and how well you market them)
Initial Investment
Moderate – High (Heygen subscription for avatar videos; course platform hosting costs vary)
How It Works
- Create the Course Content
Use ChatGPT or Claude to generate a course outline and write scripts for each section. Turn these into video lectures with Heygen using an AI avatar and text-to-speech.
You can also use platforms like CourseBox or Shiken (warning: expensive) to auto-generate full courses from a topic or uploaded material. - Build Your Course
Upload your completed course content and videos to platforms like Udemy (free, built-in audience), Skool (community-based, $99/month), or Systeme.io (free for first course). - Market the Course
Post free preview content or short lessons to YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram to generate traffic. Run paid ads on Meta or Google to scale. The more visibility you generate, the more your course can sell.
AI Influencers
Overview
AI influencers are digital personalities created using image and video generation tools. You create and post their content to social media just like a human influencer manager. Once they gain a following, these accounts can earn money through brand deals, affiliate links, merchandise, and adult content platforms.
The process can be scaled by managing multiple influencers at once, and with the right setup, they can even become fully autonomous—responding to comments, scheduling posts, and interacting with followers automatically.
Potential Profit
Moderate — High (scales with niche selection, follower growth, and number of influencers managed)
Initial Investment
Moderate — High (free with open-source tools like Flux; additional costs for paid image and video generation and automation tools)
How It Works
1. Design the Character
Start by using ChatGPT to define the influencer’s appearance, niche, tone, and backstory. Once you’ve finalized the concept, generate a base image using tools like GPT-4o, Flux, or Midjourney.
2. Generate Consistent Images
Use platforms like Apob.AI to create consistent images for your influencer. For more control, manually generate content using open-source image generation tools like Flux or SDXL.
3. Create Videos (Optional)
To increase engagement, create short-form videos of your influencer for Reels, TikTok, or YouTube using platforms like Runway, Kling, or Wan2.1. NSFW video generation can be done using Civitai or Hunyuan (via Fal or Replicate).
4. Monetize the Account
Once you’ve built an audience, you can monetize through brand sponsorships, affiliate promotions, print-on-demand merch, or adult content platforms like Fanvue.
5. Automate Posting and Scheduling
Use tools like Make or n8n to automate scheduling of posts and follower interactions—allowing you to manage multiple influencers at scale.
AI Blogging
Overview
Create fully automated niche blogs using AI tools to build the site, write content, and publish frequently across multiple platforms—including WordPress, Medium, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Monetize the traffic with affiliate links and ads.
Potential Profit
High (scales with traffic, number of sites, and SEO performance)
Initial Investment
Moderate to high (includes domain, hosting, AI content tools, Make or n8n for automation, and optional WordPress plugins)
How It Works
- Choose a Niche
Pick a niche with strong affiliate potential and consistent search demand. Examples:- Tech gadgets (e.g. smartwatches, earbuds)
- Home improvement (e.g. tools, DIY guides)
- Fitness (e.g. supplements, gear)
- Build the Website
Use AI website generators or build it manually in WordPress using a page builder:- 10Web AI Builder – Automatically creates WordPress sites with AI
- ZipWP – Instantly generates WordPress sites with basic content
- Elementor – Manual site builder with drag-and-drop customization
- Automate Blog Content
Use Make or n8n to automate article creation and publishing by combining them with large language models like DeepSeek and AI image generation tools.
Set up your automation to post content directly to your WordPress blog. You should also automatically repurpose and post articles to Medium, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to boost visibility and traffic.
You can follow this example guide or create your own automations. - Monetize
Add affiliate links to relevant content such as reviews, tutorials, and comparisons. You can also apply for Google AdSense to generate passive income as your blog traffic grows over time. Keep in mind that blogs can take a long time to rank on Google, you may need to use paid advertising to drive initial traffic.