The Rise of AI Side Hustles: How to Make $1,000 or More

The rise of artificial intelligence has created new opportunities for side hustlers in America, allowing them to earn $1,000 or more through various AI-related gigs. These side hustles, such as AI prompt writing, AI prompt engineering, AI tutoring, and AI content writing, do not require advanced technical skills. With the right approach, individuals can leverage AI to generate significant income without needing to write program code or build large language models.

USAGEFUTURE

The AI Maker

3/28/20252 min read

A group of young professionals at an office table cheerfully using computers and talking
A group of young professionals at an office table cheerfully using computers and talking

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has sent a wave of panic across industries most vulnerable to software-based replacement. Many feared that AI was coming for their jobs. While this might be true for some, for side hustlers across America, emerging technology is also creating money-making opportunities. Certain side gigs can put $1,000 or more in their pockets.

Here is a list of lazy AI side hustles that can rake in four-figure earnings in an average workweek or less — and none of them require the expertise or hard work of writing program code or building large language models from the ground up.

AI Prompt Writer

Time to reach $1,000: 42 hours

Celebrity billionaire Mark Cuban recently told CNBC that if he were young today, he’d launch an AI prompt writer side hustle because of the gig’s low barriers to entry — no degree required — and potential for six-figure earnings. This side hustle involves crafting prompts — specific instructions to guide an AI model to generate relevant, accurate outputs, including images, code, and text. According to ZipRecruiter, the national average pay for AI prompt writers is $24 an hour.

AI Prompt Engineer

Time to reach $1,000: 19 hours

The terms “prompt writer” and “prompt engineer” are often used interchangeably, but there are key differences in the job description — and in what that job pays. AI engineers have a more technical role. They create prompts that focus on optimization and take factors like computational cost and accuracy into account. According to ZipRecruiter, the average AI prompt engineer earns $54 an hour, or $111,552 per year.

AI Tutor

Time to reach $1,000: 16.5 to 29 hours

AI tutors don’t teach skills to students aspiring to work in the field of artificial intelligence — they teach AI models to learn. According to a Medium profile of the gig, you don’t have to be a tech whiz to make money as an AI tutor — just “decent English writing and research skills” that allow you to feed datasets to AI software, helping it to improve and grow. Currently, Elon Musk’s xAI company is hiring tutors for remote positions that pay $35 to $65 an hour.

AI Content Writer

Time to reach $1,000: 25 hours

AI content writers — like those who Amazon is currently recruiting — review AI-generated content to provide preference data for training initiatives. According to ZipRecruiter, the average AI content writer earns $40 an hour. If you decide to take this gig full-time, that’s an $84,151 annual salary.

In conclusion, while AI might be a threat to some traditional jobs, it also opens up new opportunities for those willing to adapt and learn. These AI side hustles offer a way to earn significant income without needing advanced technical skills. Whether you choose to be an AI prompt writer, engineer, tutor, or content writer, there are plenty of opportunities to make money in the AI-driven world.

Cited: https://www.gobankingrates.com/money/side-gigs/lazy-ai-side-hustles-that-make-1000-dollars/