How to make money with AI tools: 15 proven strategies for 2025

Wondering how to turn artificial intelligence into your side hustle, or even a full-time income stream? Whether you’re an artist, business owner, or tech-savvy freelancer, AI tools can help you work smarter, create faster, and earn online money. I’ll show you 15 proven and practical ways people are already making money with AI in 2025, with real examples and step-by-step insights you can use today.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is opening new doors for individuals, creators, and small businesses to make money in creative ways. 

Why AI is the new money-making frontier

Artificial intelligence has gone from a futuristic buzzword to an everyday necessity in just a few years. It now powers everything from content creation and marketing to design, automation, and personal productivity. But beyond being a cool tool, AI is also a genuine income-generating opportunity.

Most AI tools don’t require coding expertise or deep tech knowledge. In fact, many are no-code or even drag-and-drop. With platforms like ChatGPT, Midjourney, Canva, Jasper, and Synthesia, you can:

• Automate workflows

• Scale creative output

• Launch services with minimal cost

• Build digital products in a weekend

People are already doing it successfully. Whether it’s selling AI art, launching YouTube channels, or training companies on AI tools, thousands of creators are earning real income by using AI as their unfair advantage.

1. Sell AI-generated art or photos online

AI image generators like Midjourney, DALL·E, and Leonardo.ai can create stunning visual art based on text prompts. You can turn these into posters, NFTs, stock images, or digital prints.

How You Make Money:
You sell AI art through marketplaces like Etsy, Redbubble, Gumroad, or your own site.

Benefits:

• No traditional art skills needed

• Scalable and low overhead

• Great for passive income streams

Potential Income:
$100–$5,000/month depending on marketing and volume.

Real Example:
A YouTube creator shared their experience of earning approximately $2,910 per month by selling AI-generated wall art on Etsy

2. Create a website and sell AI-powered products or services

Launch a website using platforms like Shopify or WordPress and embed AI-based tools, templates, or services—like resume builders, logo creators, or AI writing assistance.

How You Make Money:
Sell products or charge subscriptions for AI tools.

Benefits:

• Build a long-term business

• Ideal for recurring revenue

• Automate parts of customer experience

Potential Income:
$500–$10,000+/month, depending on niche and traffic.

Real Example:
Jasper.ai, an AI-driven content creation platform, projected a revenue of $250 million for 2023, showcasing the potential of AI-powered services.

3. Offer creative AI marketing services for SMBs

Small businesses often can’t afford full marketing agencies. Use AI tools like ChatGPT, Canva AI, and Copy.ai to offer services like social media content, blog writing, or ad copy.

How You Make Money:
Charge per project or via retainer packages.

Benefits:

• Low startup cost

• High demand from small businesses

• AI cuts time spent on tasks

Potential Income:
$2,000–$8,000/month per client as a freelancer or micro-agency.

Real Example:
Freelancer Maya Gross offers AI-powered Instagram post creation and earns ~$5,000/month via Fiverr and referrals.

4. Monetize AI-enhanced YouTube channels

Use AI tools to write scripts, generate voiceovers (like ElevenLabs), or animate videos (like Pika Labs) to produce faceless YouTube content in niches like education, finance, or motivation.

How You Make Money:
Ad revenue, sponsorships, affiliate links.

Benefits:

• Passive income from evergreen content

• Fast video production with AI

• No need to appear on camera

Potential Income:
$100–$50,000/month depending on views and niche.

Real Example:
A YouTube creator detailed their journey of earning income through AI-generated content in the history niche, highlighting the profitability of such channels.

5. Launch an AI-based newsletter or blog

Use AI to research, write, and optimize content for niche blogs or email newsletters.

How You Make Money:
Monetize with affiliate marketing, sponsorships, or subscriptions via platforms like Substack.

Benefits:

• Authority building

• Minimal upfront cost

• Works well with affiliate programs

Potential Income:
$200–$10,000+/month.

Real Example:
“Ben’s Bites“, an AI newsletter, went from 0 to 100,000+ subscribers in under 6 months and attracted sponsors quickly.

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6. Build and sell AI chatbots or custom GPTs

Create custom AI assistants for specific industries (e.g., legal Q&A bots, restaurant reservation bots) using platforms like OpenAI’s GPT Builder or Botpress.

How You Make Money:
Sell pre-made bots or offer custom development services.

Benefits:

• In-demand for businesses

• Scalable and recurring income

• High-value B2B market

Potential Income:
$500–$5,000 per bot or recurring SaaS revenue.

Real Example:
Bot creators on Gumroad sell niche GPT bots for up to $99/license and generate thousands monthly.

7. Sell AI-generated music or beats

Use platforms like Soundraw, Amper Music, or Mubert to create unique music or beats, then sell them for commercial use.

How You Make Money:
License your tracks to content creators or on stock music platforms.

Benefits:

• No advanced music skills required

• Evergreen asset creation

• Creative outlet with profit potential

Potential Income:
$100–$3,000/month.

Real Example:
Lo-fi creator “Beats by AI” licenses tracks to YouTubers and podcasters, reportedly earning $1,500+/month.

8. Build an AI-powered course or info product

Use AI to create and structure educational content (courses, eBooks, templates) on topics you know, or curate via AI help.

How You Make Money:
Sell on Teachable, Gumroad, Podia, or your own site.

Benefits:

• Passive income potential

• Use AI to speed up content creation

• Good for niche expertise

Potential Income:
$500–$20,000+/month.

Real Example:
Content creator Justin Welsh used AI tools to write a LinkedIn course that grossed over $1M in a year.

9. Use AI tools for affiliate marketing at scale

Leverage AI to write SEO-optimized articles, generate product reviews, and automate outreach to drive traffic and conversions.

How You Make Money:
Earn commission on each sale through your affiliate links.

Benefits:

• Scalable content production

• Works with blogs, YouTube, and social media

• High ROI with the right niche

Potential Income:
$200–$30,000+/month.

Real Example:
“AI Tech Stack” blog uses ChatGPT to generate affiliate reviews and reportedly earns over $10K/month.

10. Create and sell AI-powered Notion templates

Combine Notion with AI prompts to build smart dashboards for productivity, business, or habit tracking.

How You Make Money:
Sell templates on Gumroad, Etsy, or your site.

Benefits:

• Low-cost digital product

• Great for passive income

• Popular with solopreneurs and students

Potential Income:
$100–$5,000/month.

Real Example:
Creator Easlo made over $300,000 in a year selling Notion templates, many enhanced with AI features.

11. Provide AI training or consulting for businesses

Teach companies or individuals how to use AI tools effectively for marketing, automation, or workflows.

How You Make Money:
Charge for workshops, online courses, or consulting hours.

Benefits:

• High ticket value

• Great if you’re experienced with AI

• Can lead to retainer work

Potential Income:
$1,000–$25,000/month or more.

Real Example:
AI consultant Matt Wolfe offers training for small companies and earns five figures monthly.

12. Design AI-powered tools or Chrome extensions

Build simple web apps or browser extensions that leverage AI to solve specific problems using platforms like OpenAI, Zapier, or Bubble.

How You Make Money:
Sell access (SaaS model) or charge a one-time fee.

Benefits:

• Solves real-world pain points

• You don’t need to code (with no-code tools)

• Recurring revenue potential

Potential Income:
$500–$15,000/month.

Real Example:
Airtable AI extension developers report up to $10K/month in revenue from premium users.

13. Automate and flip websites or digital assets with AI

Use AI tools to improve underperforming websites (SEO, content, UX), then flip them on marketplaces like Flippa.

How You Make Money:
Sell the improved asset for a profit.

Benefits:

• Use AI to scale site growth

• Low acquisition costs

• High-profit margins

Potential Income:
$1,000–$50,000+ per sale.

Real Example:
Flippa seller “AI Flips” specializes in buying content sites and improving them with AI, selling 3–5x ROI.

14. Launch a faceless AI TikTok or Instagram page

Use AI to create voiceovers, reels, carousels, or quote videos to grow a page and monetize via affiliate links, shoutouts, or product sales.

How You Make Money:
Monetize reach, traffic, and sales.

Benefits:

• No need to appear on camera

• Low production cost

• Viral potential

Potential Income:
$100–$10,000/month.

Real Example:
@FinanceVerseAI creates daily carousel posts using ChatGPT and earns via affiliate links and eBooks.

15. Join AI competitions or grant programs

Platforms like Kaggle, OpenAI, and Microsoft host hackathons or challenges where participants can win money by solving AI-related tasks.

How You Make Money:
Earn prizes, grants, or get discovered for future work.

Benefits:

• Great for building credibility

• Network with tech leaders

• Often includes mentorship or exposure

Potential Income:
$1,000–$100,000+ (depending on challenge).

Real Example:
Kaggle competitions often offer $50K+ in prize pools, and some winners turn it into a career.

Who can make money with AI?

One of the most exciting parts about this wave of AI monetization? It’s open to everyone. Here’s who can especially benefit:

• Freelancers: Automate services, increase output

• Creators: Produce faceless content or digital products

• Small Business Owners: Save money on marketing, scale operations

• Students: Learn and earn simultaneously

• Non-tech Entrepreneurs: Build tools using no-code AI platforms

• Remote Workers: Add income streams without switching jobs

No fancy degree or tech background required. Your curiosity and willingness to learn are your best assets.

AI monetization: success depends on strategy, not just tools

While AI gives you superpowers, success still comes down to execution.

To stand out and actually make money, you need to:

• Choose a niche that aligns with your interests and/or market demand

• Use the right tools strategically (don’t automate blindly)

• Focus on value first, not just volume

• Be consistent in content or product creation

• Leverage SEO and social media to drive traffic

• Iterate and improve based on feedback and performance

This isn’t a get-rich-quick article. These are real business and side hustle opportunities that, when done well, can lead to sustainable and growing income streams.

What AI can’t do for you

While AI is powerful, it’s not magic.

You still need:

• A strong understanding of your audience

• Strategic thinking

• Brand consistency

• Human touch in content and business decisions

• A willingness to learn and adapt

Think of AI as your super-smart assistant, not your replacement.

Final thoughts

AI isn’t a trend. It’s a transformative shift that redefines how individuals earn, create, and scale income streams in the digital economy. Much like the rise of e-commerce or social media once did, AI is now giving everyday people the ability to compete with big brands, automate complex work, and monetize their creativity in brand-new ways.

And the best part? You don’t need to be a developer or tech expert.

If you’re ready to explore your first AI monetization path—but not sure which one fits you best, explore AI Tools on Sonary