Top 10 AI Side Hustles That Can Make You $100/Day (Even If You’re a Beginner)

Why I Started Testing AI Side Hustles in 2025

In early 2025, I hit a wall.

Groceries were more expensive, my rent jumped again, and my 9-to-5 was draining the life out of me. I wasn’t broke, but I wasn’t free either. I wanted a second income — something flexible, something online. But the idea of starting a business or learning to code? It overwhelmed me.

That’s when I found out people were using AI to launch side hustles — even total beginners. Canva, ChatGPT, Pictory… I’d heard the names but never thought I could use them to make money.

So I gave myself a challenge: spend four weeks testing 10 different AI-powered side hustles and see which ones were real, which ones were fluff, and which could actually get me to $100/day.

Here’s what happened — the good, the messy, and the surprisingly profitable.

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Creating Instagram Carousels with Canva + ChatGPT

This one sounded simple enough: use ChatGPT to write Instagram captions and Canva to design carousel posts. I created a "Self-Care Tips" content pack — 10 slides, pastel colors, friendly text.

I listed it on Fiverr. Crickets.

Then I added keywords, ran a $10 ad, and boom — two orders in a day.

I customized packs for wellness coaches and small businesses, charging $35–$65 depending on revisions. Within a week, I hit $220.

Related: Make Money Using ChatGPT and Canva

Was it easy? Kind of. The learning curve with Canva wasn’t steep, and ChatGPT helped speed things up. But staying creative under deadline was a challenge — especially with clients who kept tweaking their requests.

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Voiceover Work Using ElevenLabs

I’ve always liked my voice but never thought of using it to earn.

With ElevenLabs, I cloned my voice and tried offering voiceover services. I recorded samples — audiobooks, YouTube intros — and listed myself on platforms like Fiverr and Bunny Studio.

The tech blew me away. My AI-generated voice sounded shockingly real, even with scripts I hadn’t spoken myself. I offered basic voiceovers for $20–$30.

But trust was an issue. Clients wanted “human” proof. I ended up sending real samples just to close gigs.

Earnings? $90 after two weeks. Not bad, but it felt weird — like I was selling something half-human, half-robot.

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YouTube Shorts with Pictory

This one was exciting. I picked a niche (motivational quotes), used ChatGPT to write scripts, and Pictory to turn them into videos.

Pictory handled the visuals, music, and voiceover — all I had to do was upload and add hashtags.

I posted daily to a faceless YouTube channel. In 10 days, one video hit 12K views. I earned $0 directly, but gained 103 subscribers.

Related: Earn Money with AI YouTube Shorts

Monetization takes time, but I see the long game here. With consistency and better editing, this could become passive income. I’m keeping it going in the background.

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Print-on-Demand Designs Using Midjourney + Kittl

I never thought I’d be designing t-shirts, but with Midjourney, I didn’t need drawing skills — just prompts.

I generated fantasy-themed art, cleaned it up in Kittl, and uploaded to Redbubble and TeePublic. My store looked legit. My designs? Pretty cool, if I’m honest.

But no one bought anything the first week. Or the second.

Turns out, good art isn’t enough — you need SEO-optimized titles, trending niches, and promotion. I made 2 sales in 3 weeks, earning $6.48.

It was humbling. But I learned a lot.

Related: Midjourney AI Art Success

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Freelancing with AI Writing Tools

This one felt more natural. I’ve always been decent at writing, and ChatGPT helped me speed up everything — blog posts, product descriptions, social media bios.

I signed up on Fiverr and Contra, offering AI-assisted content writing. My pitch? “Fast, affordable, human-edited AI content.”

First week: 3 clients. One paid $100 for 2 blog posts, another $45 for product copy.

Tools like Copy.ai and Jasper made it easy to draft content fast — I just had to edit and add personality.

Related: AI Tools for Freelancers

Total earned in 2 weeks: $310. This is the most sustainable hustle I found. It’s not passive, but it scales fast once you build a reputation.

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Selling AI Art on Etsy

Inspired by Midjourney, I created digital wall art and listed them on Etsy as instant downloads.

I made 12 pieces — abstract, surreal, spiritual. Used Canva for thumbnails and EtsyRank for tags.

Zero sales in 5 days.

Then, one person bought three prints on a Sunday afternoon — $12 total. It felt like a miracle.

After I added “boho” and “modern living room” keywords, I got more traffic. This hustle is slow but potentially passive once your listings are optimized.

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Creating Digital Products & Templates

I used ChatGPT to brainstorm a mini eBook called “30 Days to a Clutter-Free Home” and designed it in Canva.

I also built a Notion habit tracker using templates from Gumroad as inspiration.

Selling these wasn’t instant — but once I posted them on Etsy and Gumroad, I got a few downloads. One buyer even tipped $5.

Total earnings: $68 in a week.

If you love organization or productivity, this is a solid path — low stress and scalable.

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Resume Services with AI

I offered resume rewriting using ChatGPT and Canva templates. Clients sent messy Word docs — I polished them up, added modern design, and charged $25–$60.

I used TealHQ to compare formatting styles and ChatGPT to rewrite bullet points with impact.

In 10 days, I had 6 clients. Total earned: $270.

Surprisingly emotional work — people trusted me with their careers. And I felt good doing it.

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Niche Research & Keyword Reports

Using tools like ChatGPT and Ubersuggest, I started offering keyword packs for bloggers and Etsy sellers.

I created simple reports with 20–30 keywords, SEO tips, and post ideas. Charged $15–$25.

This hustle is nerdy but fun — and the demand is real. I got 4 repeat buyers who wanted updates monthly.

It didn’t make me rich, but it showed me how useful research skills can be when paired with AI.

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Short-Form Script Writing with ChatGPT

I offered TikTok and Reels scripts — things like “3 Beauty Tips You Didn’t Know” or “5-Minute Morning Mindset Reset.”

ChatGPT wrote 70% of it. I just cleaned the flow and added emojis and tone.

I charged $10 for 5 scripts or $30 for custom packages.

It blew up fast — creators are always looking for fresh ideas.

I hit $125 in my first 5 days.

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What I Learned from 10 AI Side Hustles

Trying 10 AI side hustles in a month was… intense.

Some felt like a waste. Some surprised me. A few gave me actual, scalable income. But every single one taught me something:

• You don’t need a degree or a big budget to start.
• AI is a tool, not a magic button — your creativity still matters.
• Consistency beats perfection.

If I had to pick just one hustle to stick with?

Freelancing with AI writing tools. It paid well, used my strengths, and grew faster than anything else I tried.

But if you’re more visual? Canva + ChatGPT content packs are a goldmine.

And if you want slow, passive growth? Etsy printables and YouTube Shorts are perfect.

Related: Best AI Tools for Business

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best AI side hustle for beginners?

It depends on your interests, but one of the easiest and most beginner-friendly options is using Canva + ChatGPT to create social media content or printable products. You don’t need design experience or tech skills to start.

Can you really make $100 a day with AI tools?

Yes — if you stay consistent and choose the right platforms. Many beginners earn $100+ per day with AI tools by freelancing, selling templates, or using platforms like Etsy, Fiverr, or YouTube.

Do I need to pay for these AI tools?

Most tools like ChatGPT, Canva, and Pictory have free versions, but upgrading can help unlock better features once you’re earning. You can start with $0 in most cases.

How long does it take to earn your first $100?

It varies — some people earn within a few days, others take 2–3 weeks. Your speed depends on effort, niche, and how well you market your services.

Are these AI side hustles passive income?

Some (like selling digital products or printables) can become passive over time. Others, like freelancing or content creation, are more active but scalable.