How to make money with AI: 7+ ideas and practical tools

Wondering how to make money with AI in 2025? More than a trend, it’s one of the most effective ways to launch a digital side hustle or grow your ecommerce business. From print-on-demand products to AI-powered blogs or services, you can turn artificial intelligence tools into a real profit.

Whether you’re a content creator, designer, marketer, or running an online store, this guide breaks down the most practical and profitable ways to get started.

In 2025, learning how to use AI to make money is more than a trend—it’s a strategic move to stay competitive. Let’s dive into real examples, beginner-friendly tools, and strategies to grow your income or digital brand with AI.

Key takeaways

• Make money online with AI using tools for writing, design, automation, and customer service

• Monetize AI-generated content and AI art through print-on-demand, ebooks, and digital products

• Start with a minimal investment by using free or low-cost AI-powered tools

• Use AI marketing tools to improve social media, email campaigns, and market research

• Save time or offer services to clients by using AI chatbots and automations

• Gain a competitive edge in your niche by embracing AI solutions early

Can you use AI to make money?

Yes, in fact, if you don’t leverage AI, you’re falling behind. AI isn’t a shortcut or gimmick. It’s now a foundational layer across digital business—from content and customer service to product development and analytics.

The AI market is projected to reach $391 billion, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 35.9%. With the rise of machine learning algorithms and natural language processing, AI tools are more accessible and intuitive every day.

AI automates repetitive tasks, improves content quality, generates original designs, and uncovers new market trends. These capabilities allow you to make more, market smarter, and sell faster.

Whether you’re building a brand or launching your first side hustle, learning how to use AI to make money isn’t optional—it’s how you stay competitive.

Top 7 ways to make money with AI in 2025

These are the most effective ways to build passive income, launch digital products, or start a scalable AI-powered side hustle in 2025. Whether you’re new or already selling online, each method shows how to make money with AI using accessible, high-impact tools.

1. AI-generated art on products (print-on-demand)

Selling AI-created art with print-on-demand suppliers like Printful is one of the most accessible ways to make money with AI. With AI art generators like Midjourney, DALLE, or Canva’s AI tools, you can design eye-catching graphics and place them on t-shirts, mugs, posters, tote bags, and more.

Source: Printful

After creating designs, upload them to your Printful-connected store on Shopify, Etsy, or WooCommerce. Printful handles production, fulfillment, and shipping, allowing you to focus on creating and promoting. Use social media posts, influencer collaborations, or AI-powered marketing tools to boost brand visibility and increase traffic to your store.

With no need to invest in inventory, startup costs are low, making it an ideal option for beginners. As AI art tools evolve, so does your ability to quickly design high-quality, trend-driven products. If you’re a designer, digital creator, or just starting out in ecommerce, this is one of the most scalable ways to sell AI-generated artwork and build a profitable brand.

2. AI-powered blog or content business

AI tools like Jasper, ChatGPT, and Copy.ai help you quickly generate SEO-friendly blog posts, product descriptions, and landing pages, saving you hours of work. These tools maintain consistency, quality, and tone across all your content, whether you’re managing a personal blog or writing for clients.

Source: Jasper

Monetize your site through affiliate marketing, ad revenue, or selling online products like ebooks or templates. Alternatively, you can offer writing services on platforms like Upwork. Many businesses are actively looking for freelance writers who deliver fast, high-quality content.

As AI tools advance, combining your creativity with AI-powered automation lets you scale your content creation and serve more clients with less overhead. It’s a smart, sustainable path for marketers, creators, and solopreneurs.

3. AI-generated ebooks

Creating an ebook used to take weeks, even months. But today, AI writing tools like ChatGPT, Jasper, and Writesonic reduce the time required to write, edit, and format an entire book to just a few days.

Source: Gumroad

 Whether you’re producing a guide, a how-to manual, or even fiction, AI streamlines every stage of the process.

Once you’re done, publish and sell your ebook on Amazon KDP or Gumroad, reaching a global audience with minimal upfront cost.

Source: Amazon

To build a profitable ebook, identify a trending niche. Use keyword research, data analysis, and platforms like Google Trends or Exploding Topics to validate your idea. Then, use AI to generate content, organize chapters, and create the cover design. 

Ebooks are a great way to establish authority in your field and generate income over time.  With targeted promotion, ebooks also support your broader digital marketing strategy, especially if you offer products or services.

4. AI-generated online courses

The global e-learning market is projected to grow from $314.03 billion in 2024 to $354.71 billion in 2025, highlighting strong demand for online education. If you have expertise in a specific area, such as design, marketing, wellness, or ecommerce, turn that knowledge into a profitable online course using AI tools.

These tools make the entire course creation process easy, from topic research and structuring modules to scriptwriting, slide creation, and recording voiceovers with AI voice generators. Thanks to the efficiency of AI technology, what once took months can now be accomplished in just weeks.

Platforms like Teachable and Thinkific make it easy to host, sell, and market your course directly to your target audience.

Source: Thinkific

With AI handling the heavy lifting, focus more on content quality and user experience. This approach lowers the barrier to entry and allows you to test new course ideas quickly and scale your offerings as you grow.

AI helps you stay agile and productive, making it easier than ever to make money from home by sharing your knowledge online. Whether it’s a side hustle or full-time income stream, online courses offer powerful potential for sustainable income.

5. AI chatbots or automations for clients

Small businesses are integrating AI solutions to simplify their operations, especially customer support and lead generation. The global chatbot market may reach $46.64 billion by 2029. With machine learning, these AI bots get smarter over time through customer interactions.

You can quickly learn how to build and manage AI chatbots using online tutorials and no-code platforms. Then, turn those skills into a profitable service by helping Shopify, WooCommerce, or Etsy sellers automate support, engage customers, and increase conversions. 

Tools like ManyChat and Chatfuel help you build conversational AI-powered chatbots that can answer FAQs, send shipping updates, remind users about abandoned carts, and even upsell products. These bots operate 24/7, providing instant support, improving the user experience and reducing manual workload.

Source: ManyChat

Ecommerce brands are scaling how they manage growing customer bases without hiring large support teams. If you know how to design flows and integrate chatbots into stores and digital marketing funnels, your skills are in high demand.

These AI features provide value to clients and make you a good income. It’s a practical way to make money with AI, especially for freelancers and consultants in digital commerce.

6. AI for market and product research

AI-powered tools make user research faster and easier. Platforms like Exploding Topics, Google Trends, and Semrush enable you to track market trends, identify rising interest in specific keywords, and uncover untapped niches, all in real-time.

These insights help you make smarter decisions about what to launch, what to promote, and how to position your offers. For example, use trend data to shape social media posts, prioritize product features, or adjust pricing based on search interest.

Source: Exploding Topics

On a deeper level, AI solutions in data analysis and predictive analytics highlight patterns in customer behavior that would be hard to detect manually. Designers use this to align products with demand; marketers use it to run more targeted digital marketing campaigns. 

For ecommerce sellers, this means better inventory planning, more accurate targeting, and a higher chance of launching products that convert.

7. Other ways to make money with AI

Beyond content creation or design, there are many other creative and profitable ways to earn money with AI. Choose the path that fits your interests and experience—from automation to AI consulting.

• AI affiliate marketing: Promote top AI software or services and earn commissions per sale through your unique affiliate link. Great for bloggers, YouTubers, or social media influencers.

• Manage social media brands and accounts: Use AI applications to schedule posts, analyze engagement, and generate content ideas. Perfect for freelancers managing multiple client accounts.

• Start a resume business: Use AI writing tools to create polished resumes and cover letters for job seekers.

• Provide AI translation services: Platforms like DeepL help you deliver translation and localization services for global ecommerce and content businesses.

• Create and edit videos with AI: Tools like Pictory, Runway, and Descript allow you to generate social-ready video content without technical skills.

• Power your coding with AI: AI coding tools like GitHub Copilot and Replit automate repetitive coding tasks, making it easier to build apps or software faster, even for junior developers.

• Become an AI consultant: If you have AI expertise, educate companies on AI integration, automation strategy, or choosing the right AI tools.

• Be a prompt engineer: Learn to write effective prompts for AI models like ChatGPT and sell your skills to businesses or creators.

• Launch an AI dropshipping business: Combine AI product research tools and automated fulfillment to run a lean, scalable store.

• Data science consulting: Use machine learning, predictive analytics, or data visualization to help companies make data-backed decisions.

AI tools to help you make money

If you’re serious about learning how to use AI to generate passive income, the right tools dramatically boost your productivity, creativity, and efficiency. Whether generating content, building digital products, or analyzing trends, these AI tools help you turn ideas into income faster.

ChatGPT

One of the most versatile AI-powered tools, ChatGPT helps you write blog posts, generate product descriptions, answer customer questions, and brainstorm business ideas.

It uses natural language processing to comprehend prompts and generate human-like text, making it an ideal solution for content creators, marketers, and ecommerce sellers. You can also use it to script videos, generate FAQs, plan social media calendars, and more.

Source: ChatGPT

Visual AIs: Midjourney, DALLE, and Canva AI

These AI image generators create stunning AI-generated art, so you no longer need advanced design skills. Use them to produce t-shirt graphics, poster designs, or branding elements for your print-on-demand business.

Tools like Canva AI even allow direct publishing to social media, helping you scale your visual content quickly.

Source: Canva 

Text content AIs: Jasper, Copy.ai, Writesonic

AI writing tools specialize in crafting high-quality content for blogs, ad copy, product listings, and email campaigns. They’re handy for entrepreneurs managing multiple income streams. For example, if you’re selling products online, working as an AI-powered affiliate marketer, or running an AI-powered blog.

Source: Writesonic

Video AIs: Pictory, Runway

Video content no longer requires a big production team. Tools like Pictory and Runway use AI video editing to generate visuals from text, repurpose long videos, or automate transitions and effects. Ideal for social media marketers and course creators looking to scale video creation.

Source: Pictory

Chatbot AIs: Tidio, Chatfuel

AI chatbots are perfect for managing customer support, automating responses, and increasing sales on your store. Use them to answer FAQs, recommend products, recover abandoned carts, or upsell—all without manual work. They’re ideal for ecommerce sellers who want to improve customer experience while freeing up time.

Source: Tidio

Multimedia editing AI: Descript

Descript is a must-have for podcasters and video creators. This AI tool transcribes audio, removes filler words, and lets you edit video by editing text. It’s especially useful for creators looking to expand into multimedia content while maintaining speed and quality.

Source: Descript

Translation AI: DeepL

DeepL is one of the most accurate AI translation tools for product pages, ebooks, or social media content. If you offer translation and localization services, DeepL delivers professional results at scale.

You can also use ChatGPT to translate, rewrite, or adapt text in other languages, adding a creative layer to AI-generated content for international markets.

Source: DeepL

Data visualization AIs: Looker Studio, Tableau

Tools like Looker Studio and Tableau help turn raw data into clear, visual dashboards—perfect for consultants, marketers, or freelancers offering AI-driven analytics services.

Use them to visualize market trends, track campaign performance, or back up business decisions with real-time data analysis.

Source: SE ranking

SEO AIs: Surfer SEO, Ahrefs

SEO is crucial for driving website traffic and increasing online visibility. Surfer SEO and Ahrefs are powerful AI tools for keyword research, content optimization, and competitive analysis. All critical to making money with AI-powered content. 

Source: SurferSEO 

More tips for success

Once you learn about AI apps to make money, build consistency and sustainability. AI offers incredible tools, but long-term success depends on how you use them. Here are a few ways to stay ahead, improve your results, and grow your passive income streams using AI-powered tools.

1. Always review and refine your AI-generated content

Even the best AI writing tools make mistakes. Always edit for tone, clarity, and originality—especially if you’re building a brand. A quick manual pass helps you avoid duplication, align with your voice, and improve performance.

2. Join AI communities

Stay plugged into AI conversations on Reddit, Discord, and LinkedIn. These platforms are often the first to test new AI apps to make money, spot AI trends, and share prompt strategies. 

Surround yourself with people who are experimenting and learning in real time.

3. Combine income streams that support each other

Don’t rely on a single revenue channel. Instead, diversify your income streams:

• Write an AI-generated ebook and offer it as a paid product or lead magnet

• Promote AI tools used in the book through affiliate links

• Upsell AI-powered services (like content, prompts, or automations) based on what readers need next

Each asset should feed the others—one product leads to multiple income streams without starting from scratch every time.

4. Know your audience

Use data analysis tools like Google Analytics or AI-driven social listening to track what your audience actually responds to. Then tailor your messaging, social media posts, and offers to fit your niche—whether it’s Etsy buyers, course students, or digital marketers.

5. Test, track, and update your AI tool stack regularly

New tools, pricing models, and features launch constantly. That means today’s best method could get outpaced next quarter.

Instead of relying on one platform, test new tools regularly, save versions of what works, and document repeatable workflows. This helps you pivot fast, without rebuilding every time the ecosystem shifts.

Success with AI isn’t about mastering everything—it’s about testing, iterating, and focusing on what works.

Conclusion

Whether you’re looking for passive income, a side hustle, or a full-time business, there are endless ways to make money online with AI in 2025. With the right tools and mindset, you can tap into this growing field and build something uniquely yours.

You don’t need to master everything—start with one tool. Use it to launch a real project: write a blog, list a product, create a course, test a chatbot. Then improve from there.

The most important thing? Take action before the space matures. The earlier you learn how to make money with artificial intelligence, the more you can grow before it gets saturated.