We've all heard the rumors that AI is taking over, but have you thought about all the ways you can use AI to your advantage?

These programs can actually serve as tools for building digital income. They reduce time and work so you can focus on the foundations of your business - marketing, branding, etc.

Ready to make some serious cash with AI? I've put together a list of totally practical, slightly unconventional, and definitely no-BS ways to do just that.

Become a Freelance Researcher with Perplexity AI

Let's start with an easy win: using Perplexity AI to offer research services.

This software is sorta like if Google and ChatGPT had a baby. It acts like a search engine and outputs simple AI overviews using real-time data.

You can use this tool to help YouTubers research in-depth topics for their videos. For example, a true crime channel might need a case deep dive before scripting its content. You would do all the research, type the info from Perplexity into ChatGPT, and give them a detailed outline.

This typically pays between $100 and $200 per video or more. It just depends on the client.

Step to Get Started:

• Head to Upwork and search for projects that fit this description OR list your services on Fiverr & Legiit.
• Once you secure contracts, go to Perplexity.ai and create an account.
• Start doing research and watch the money roll in.

Train AI Models with Outlier

Ever thought about getting your hands dirty with data? Platforms like Outlier make it easy for anyone to train AI—and companies will pay you to do it.

You'll just go into their system and complete tasks like rating AI responses, writing your responses to example AI prompts, etc.

These roles typically pay $15 to $20 an hour, and you create your own schedule.

Step to Get Started:

• Visit Outlier's platform and join a community project.
• You don’t need a Ph.D.; just the willingness to click buttons and tell AI what’s right or wrong.

Code and Sell AI Apps

Ever wondered how much money those big app developers on Apple make? I'll give you a hint - millions. AI tools can help you whip up simple apps that solve everyday problems and drive consistent revenue to your bank account.

You can combine tools like Claude AI and ChatGPT to create a fully functional app without writing a single line of code.

Step to Get Started:

• Identify a problem people face (even tiny annoyances can be big opportunities). A great platform to perform market research is with Perplexity AI.
• Find YouTube tutorials that explain the process of requesting code files from AI in different languages (HTML, CSS, Javascript, etc.) to get an understanding of the process.
• Use Claude and ChatGPT to help you code the solution.
• Package it and sell it on platforms like Gumroad or submit it to major app stores.

Launch an AI-Powered Virtual Assistant Service

Take something basic like scheduling or organizing emails. Business owners pay some people a full salary to manage this workload (not that it's easy). Most times, they would rather outsource to a company for a monthly fee.

You can use AI tools like Zapier and OpenAI to create a virtual assistant for entrepreneurs.

You can fulfill daily needs like scheduling, managing emails, creating social posts, copywriting, and more.

Step to Get Started:

• Combine basic AI tools—Zapier for automation, ChatGPT for email drafting, Jasper for copywriting, and Canva or Adcreative.AI for social media—to create a service package.
• Promote it on freelance marketplaces like Upwork, Contra, and Fiverr.

Monetize AI Prompts

You know how some people are like, "I don't even know how to talk to these AI tools." Enter you: the Prompt Whisperer. You can research and design prompts that set your buyers up for success on ChatGPT, Midjourney, and other AI models.

There are marketplaces where you can sell these prompts like PromptBase and Promptrr.io.

Step to Get Started:

• Get creative. Test different prompts, figure out what works, and make a list of ready-to-use prompts people can buy.
• Set up shop on marketplace platforms or create a mini-course teaching others.

Use AI to Write Books

The ebook market is projected to generate $14. 6 billion this year—AI can help you grab your share. ChatGPT can outline, draft, and even polish your content into a totally sellable finished product.

Then, self-publish on Kindle, add to marketplaces like Gumroad or create your own website.

Step to Get Started:

• Use Answer Socrates to find in-demand topics people are actively searching for.
• Use ChatGPT to outline book ideas based on these topics.
• Ask it to flesh out sections, add your personal touch, and publish.
• Market your book using social media (Pinterest, Lemon8, and Instagram are always great options)

Create Digital Art with AI

DALL-E and Midjourney make it possible for even stick-figure experts (me!) to generate beautiful art. Create a gallery of your pieces and sell them as digital downloads or printed merch.

This is a simple but lucrative side hustle that's easy to start.

Step to Get Started:

• Go onto sites like Redbubble and Etsy to see what products are trending.
• Sign up for Midjourney or a similar AI engine.
• Prompt images similar to the trending products and experiment until you create something that looks like it would sell.
• List your art on Etsy or Redbubble (or both).

Build Chatbots for Businesses

Businesses can pay anywhere from $15 to $1000+ per month for chatbots that answer repetitive customer service questions. It just depends on the features they offer.

You can use platforms like ManyChat to create chatbots for businesses. Then, you can reach out and offer your services to local businesses. It’s not about replacing humans—it’s about handling the boring questions so the humans can do their thing.

Step to Get Started:

• Learn the basics of ManyChat.
• Approach local businesses like restaurants or boutiques that could benefit from automated customer service.

AI-Assisted Grant Writing

Freelance grant writers make an average of $50 an hour, or upwards of $200 for high-paying clients. While this can be an extremely technical niche, AI makes it simple.

Nonprofits often struggle with grant applications, and YOU can fill the gap. Use AI tools like Perplexity to find grants that align with company goals and Grantable to draft grant applications for these organizations.

Step to Get Started:

• Learn to use Grantable.
• Go on Upwork, Indeed, or other job boards and find nonprofits that need help.
• Offer your grant writing services and price your packages accordingly.

Build Websites Using AI

Several businesses need unique, functional websites to market their brand. You can secure contracts with these clients and use AI models like Wix ADI and Zyro to complete the projects.

These tools utilize specific prompts to build user-friendly websites with functional backends. You don't have to write any code if you don't want to.

Steps To Get Started:

• Learn the basics of Wix ADI, Zyro, or similar platforms.
• Find clients actively looking for websites using Upwork, Contra, or buyer intent platforms like Apollo.io.
• Secure these projects and use your AI model to complete them.
• Charge according to the industry average rate, typically starting between $500 and $1,000 depending on the complexity of the project.

AI-Generated Children's Stories

Children's stories are a high-demand product on platforms like Amazon and Ziffit. You can use AI to enter this market and make 5 to 6 figures.

You'll want to make accounts for ChatGPT, Midjourney, and Canva (or any similar drag-and-drop graphic design software).

Steps to Get Started:

• Do some research and choose your target audience (toddlers, preschoolers, or slightly older children).
• Choose a topic that's in demand by browsing current children's books on popular platforms.
• Use ChatGPT to generate an outline based on your topic.
• Have ChatGPT draft the story based on that outline.
• Make edits to refine the story where necessary.
• Use tools like Midjourney or DALL-E to generate images that fit the scenes in your story.
• Use Canva to put the story together using one of the platform templates.
• List the book on popular platforms like Amazon and Ziffit.

Conclusion

These are just a few of the many ways you can make money using AI. There are so many free tools you can use to increase efficiency and scale your online income. Are you looking for more guidance when it comes to building your online businesses and leaving your stressful 9 to 5?

At Digital Income Solutions, I offer free and low-cost guides that take you through the proven blueprints to make 6 figures from home. If that sounds like your goal, then check out the store and browse my other blog posts. As always, happy hustling!