A while back, I started noticing a pattern.
Everywhere I looked—Twitter, Reddit, YouTube—someone was claiming to be raking in thousands with AI.
Some guy was selling AI-generated books and “making $50K a month.” Another was using ChatGPT to automate his entire freelancing business. Someone else was “getting paid to let AI trade stocks” (sure, buddy).
It all sounded suspiciously easy.
So, I decided to dig in. Can you actually make money with AI? Or is this just another overhyped tech bubble waiting to pop?
Everyone Wants a Slice of the AI Money Pie
AI isn’t new, but something changed in the past year. The moment ChatGPT hit the mainstream, everyone started trying to cash in.
And it makes sense. AI is everywhere now. It can write, design, code, create art, even generate full businesses out of thin air. And unlike crypto, you don’t have to convince yourself that spending $300 on a pixelated monkey is a good investment.
For the first time, AI feels accessible.
The catch? Just because you can use AI to make money doesn’t mean it’s some kind of infinite cash machine.
The “Easy Money” Illusion
Every time a new technology goes mainstream, people rush in thinking they’re about to hit gold.
Some do. Most don’t.
Right now, AI is in that gold rush phase where everyone is scrambling for an angle. Some people are genuinely making bank. Others? They’re wasting hours on AI “side hustles” that barely cover their weekly coffee habit.
So what’s actually working? And what’s a total waste of time?
Ways People Are Actually Making Money with AI
After wading through all the hype, here’s what legitimately works right now:
1. AI-Assisted Freelancing
AI isn’t replacing freelancers—it’s supercharging them.
- Writers are churning out blog posts in half the time (but still editing for quality).
- Graphic designers are using MidJourney to whip up stunning concepts in minutes instead of hours.
- Video editors are letting AI handle boring, tedious cuts so they can focus on the creative parts.
Freelancers who use AI as an assistant (instead of letting it replace them) are earning more, working less.
2. Selling AI-Generated Content
People are selling AI-created books, digital art, and even music. Some are making real money. Others? They’re realizing that when everyone is selling AI-generated junk, it gets harder to stand out.
What’s actually working:
- AI-generated coloring books on Etsy—people are making thousands a month.
- AI-written ebooks—profitable for a few, but the market is oversaturated with low-quality junk.
- AI-generated stock photos & designs—some are making passive income, but only if they upload high-quality stuff.
3. AI-Driven Investing
This one’s tricky. AI-powered trading sounds like a cheat code, but in reality? It’s hit-or-miss.
- Some traders use AI to analyze market trends and automate trades.
- Others follow AI-generated stock picks…which don’t always work.
- Then there are people buying AI trading bots that promise “guaranteed profits” (spoiler: they don’t).
AI can assist with investing, but if anyone tells you it can’t lose, they’re lying.
4. AI in Business & Marketing
This is where the real money is.
AI is saving businesses time and money by:
- Automating customer support with AI chatbots.
- Generating marketing content (ads, blog posts, social media captions) in minutes.
- Analyzing data to predict what customers will buy next.
People who sell AI-powered solutions to businesses are making way more than the ones just trying to use AI for quick cash.
The AI Money Pit: What Doesn’t Work
Not every AI hustle is a winner. Here’s what people think will make them rich but usually doesn’t:
🚨 Selling AI-generated junk – If anyone can do it, it’s not valuable. The internet is already drowning in AI garbage.
🚨 Blindly trusting AI stock picks – If AI really cracked the stock market, hedge funds would have already taken over.
🚨 Relying 100% on AI for content – AI-generated content is everywhere, but fully AI-written blogs, books, and videos still feel robotic (and platforms are cracking down).
Final Thoughts: Will AI Make You Rich or Replace You?
Both? Neither? Depends.
Ignore AI, and you might struggle to keep up. Use AI as a tool, and you can work smarter, not harder.
But if you’re expecting AI to do all the work for you—you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.
Have You Tried Making Money with AI?
Tried an AI hustle? Seen one that was so bad it deserves a roast?
Drop a comment. Let’s talk.