AI Side Hustles Using Tools Like ChatGPT

AI Side Hustles Using Tools Like ChatGPT: Old-school online side hustles—affiliate marketing, dropshipping, freelancing—tend to require a lot of initial time, technical expertise, or ongoing marketing grind. For individuals wanting to top up their income without burning out, these options for many seem like a part-time full-time job.

Meanwhile, AI tools such as ChatGPT, Midjourney, and Sora have gone viral. Everyone’s discussing them, but most of the advice is wishy-washy or theoretical. The question is: are regular folks really capable of earning money using these AI tools—and if so, how?

This article will illustrate how individuals are making AI work as side income by presenting real results, real steps, and a guide to getting started.

Agitation

You’re not alone if you’ve attempted online money-making concepts to be swamped or underpaid. Most platforms guarantee quick money, but strand users are stuck chasing fads, laboring for free, or waiting months for visitors.

Now, AI promises speed and automation. But with too much noise online, it’s hard to separate real opportunities from hype. What’s needed is clarity, proof, and realistic action.

That is where this article comes in.

You’ll learn firsthand how individuals are applying ChatGPT and other AI technologies to make money with digital products, freelancing, blogging, and more. You’ll know the work involved, the risks, and how to get started without experience.

Solution: Real AI Side Hustles That Work in 2025

Let us examine four significant ways in which humans are already converting AI into stable sources of income. These are based on actual results and case studies.

Selling AI-Generated Digital Products

The effort and cost involved in creating high-quality digital products have been significantly reduced by AI. The most frequent use is writing content for printables, ebooks, and downloadable templates.

Case Study: Bellah Roze

A British entrepreneur, Bellah Roze, explained that she made £70,000 within 90 days by selling online planners and workbooks on Etsy and Shopify. She utilized ChatGPT to create content ideas and text, while design software such as Canva was used to create product layouts. The products cost between £5–£20 each, but the company enjoys almost 90% profit margins as the products are digital.

What propelled her business forward was consistency: she developed a catalog of more than 100 products for everyday niches—budgeting, mental health, fitness, and parenting. After loading, sales trickled in passively by way of search traffic and promoted listings.

You can read more about her strategy in this article from The Sun.

Freelancing with AI Assistance

Freelancers have begun to utilize ChatGPT to market their services better, reduce delivery time, and grow quicker. Rather than replacing human capability, AI is assisting individuals to serve more customers or provide new services altogether.

Case Study: Freelance Pitch Decks

A freelancer featured in Business Insider shared how he builds investor pitch decks using ChatGPT to generate summaries, slides, and structure. He charges between $500–$1,000 per deck, completing up to three per week. That adds up to $6,000 per month, mostly working solo with AI as a co-pilot.

Other writers are providing blog post, product descriptions, email marketing, and even technical writing—faster with the assistance of AI tools. These types of services are in great demand across Upwork, Fiverr, and direct client channels.

Freelancers are not ripping off the system—they’re optimizing the process, providing better quality, and delivering results to clients. For instance, a blog post which previously took 5 hours now takes 1.5 hours, and more clients per week can be served.

Creating and Selling AI Art

AI image creators such as Midjourney and DALL·E have provided an entry point for individuals with no or minimal artistic knowledge into the visual design business. Such tools are capable of creating professional-grade images based solely on text inputs.

Case Study: AI-Illustrated Children’s Book

A technology employee created a children’s book named Alice and Sparkle within less than 72 hours employing ChatGPT to write the story and Midjourney to create illustrations. He put the book on Amazon, and in his interview, he stated that it sold more than 1,300 copies. It made more than $2,600 in a matter of weeks.

This is an example of how AI can assist producers in going quickly without compromising on quality. The writer didn’t have an entourage—simply employed prompts, editing software, and self-publishing websites.

Many others are creating wall art prints, T-shirt designs, or sticker packs, and selling them through print-on-demand stores like Redbubble or Etsy. If you’re consistent and niche-focused—say minimalist travel posters or pet-themed wall art—you can carve out a profitable micro-brand.

A helpful breakdown of this strategy is shared in this Marketing Scoop article.

Running AI-Powered Content Websites

But another emerging trend is having ChatGPT power content sites. These are affiliate sites or niche blogs where the content is entirely or mostly created by AI and lightly edited by humans.

Case Study: 40 Niche Sites in 14 Months

One group created more than 40 niche sites with ChatGPT generating blog content, how-to articles, and product reviews. Within a year and a half, their portfolio earned $3,674/month in ads and more than 200,000 monthly visitors. They targeted low-competition SEO subjects—such as home cleaning tips or new exercisers—and replicated with templated formats and automation.

This model suits individuals with basic SEO understanding and long-term objectives. It is not a quick victory, but it’s a tested method of creating passive income in 6–12 months.

Authors able to format and edit AI-authored articles are also freelancing on behalf of similar projects, offering $25–$75 per post editing and publishing assistance.

Risks and Considerations

While AI tools unlock efficiency and new earning potential, they come with limitations:

• Content originality: Over reliance on generic AI output can lead to plagiarism or repetitive results. Always personalize and edit content.
  
• Platform rules: Some marketplaces (like Shutterstock or Amazon KDP) have started regulating AI-generated content. Always read terms of service.
  
• Taxation: Income from digital products, freelance services, or royalties is taxable in most countries. A side business is still important.

Most importantly, ethical use of AI matters. Creators must avoid using prompts that mimic the work of real artists or replicate copyrighted material.

Getting Started: Step-by-Step

You don’t need to jump into every method. Pick one and commit to it for 30–60 days. Here’s a basic roadmap:

1. Choose your model: Product creation, freelancing, design, or blogging.
   
2. Learn the tools: Spend time mastering prompts in ChatGPT or Midjourney.
   
3. Validate your idea: Check Etsy, Fiverr, or Google Trends to ensure there’s demand.
   
4. Create and test: Build your first product, pitch, or piece of content.
   
5. Iterate and expand: Improve based on early feedback. Add more listings, services, or blog posts.
   
6. Track revenue: Use tools like Gumroad analytics, Etsy insights, or affiliate dashboards.
   

Start small. One product or one client can lead to recurring income if you stay consistent.

Conclusion

AI is not only a corporate tool—it’s becoming the foundation of actual, functioning side hustles for entrepreneurs all over the world. From producing eBooks and artwork to optimizing freelance work or starting content websites, ChatGPT and comparable tools are creating income streams that previously didn’t exist.

By using tried-and-true examples, remaining ethical, and approaching your hustle as a legit business, you can build a side income that develops into something stable—and potentially full-time.

The AI revolution is not arriving. It’s here. It’s your next step.

I’m a tech lover and online content creator discovering real-world methods to make money online with AI tools such as ChatGPT, Midjourney, and Sora. I began tinkering with AI side hustles in 2020—from making digital products to experimenting with AI freelance jobs—and now I reveal what really works (and what doesn’t). My aim is to assist others in bypassing the fluff and discovering actual opportunities with the help of the latest AI tools without any background in coding or design. Follow for more updates on Online Earning.