Overview
There’s an explosion of content on YouTube touting how easy it is to make money using AI. From dream-like earnings of ₹1 lakh a month to passive generation of viral content, the hype is everywhere. But how practical and profitable are these AI-powered side hustles in reality? We tested six popular AI side hustles using real AI tools and actual client interactions to uncover which are legit and which are pure hype.
AI Side Hustle #1: AI Video Animation
Creating animations used to require hours of professional editing. But now, with AI tools like Kaiber and Runway, it’s possible to generate animations from static images in a fraction of the time. We tested this method by working with a real content creator and animated a script covering the Industrial Revolution.
- Time taken: 1–1.5 hours per script
- Client viability: High – clients are looking for AI-based editors
- Potential earnings: ₹30,000–₹1,00,000/month
Verdict: Not a scam – a viable side hustle if you’re creative and consistent.
AI Side Hustle #2: AI Short-Form Content Editing
This hustle involves repurposing podcast content into vertical short videos (Reels, Shorts). Tools like Opus Clips promise one-click conversions. However, upon testing, both the quality and selection were underwhelming.
- Time taken: 30 minutes for 5 clips
- Client viability: Low – agencies found the clips below average
- Potential earnings: ₹15,000–₹25,000 (theoretical)
Verdict: Scam – not client-ready quality, better done manually.
AI Side Hustle #3: AI Avatar Reels
With AI tools like HeyGen, users can create speaking avatars and feed them viral script ideas using ChatGPT. This technique was tested with a busy agency founder needing content but lacking time. After generating a reel using a custom AI avatar and viral script prompt, the results were well received.
- Time taken: 20 minutes per reel
- Client viability: Medium to High – potential depends on client needs
- Potential earnings: ₹40,000–₹50,000/month for 20–30 reels
Verdict: Not a scam – with solid scripting and creativity, profitable.
AI Side Hustle #4: YouTube Script Writing Using AI
AI has revolutionized writing with tools like ChatGPT. Writing YouTube scripts, especially for creators moving from Instagram to YouTube, seemed promising. We created a well-researched 1,500-word script using GPT-4, targeting the topic of Chinese apps in India. While time-efficient, the creator rejected the script citing lack of unique quality and past bad experiences.
- Time taken: 30 minutes
- Client viability: Low – AI-generated scripts often lack depth/voice
- Potential earnings: ₹20,000–₹25,000 per client (if successful)
Verdict: Scam – not strong enough to meet client expectations.
AI Side Hustle #5: Turning Video Content into Text (e.g. LinkedIn posts)
This side hustle involves repurposing long-form podcast or video content into LinkedIn posts or Twitter threads. Using tools like NotebookLM to extract transcripts and ChatGPT for formatting, impactful content was generated and submitted to a LinkedIn agency for review.
- Time taken: 15 minutes for 3 posts
- Client viability: Medium – posts may need refinement to truly succeed
- Potential earnings: ₹20,000–₹25,000/month
Verdict: Not a scam – good starting point, with room for manual polish.
AI Side Hustle #6: AI Thumbnail Designing
Recent GPT updates claim to assist in designing YouTube thumbnails. We created mockups using text prompts for a design agency and tracked the feedback. While the AI-generated mockups were useful for ideation, they lacked the polish and accuracy needed for implementation in real-world projects.
- Time taken: 15 minutes per mockup
- Client viability: Low – professional designers found them unusable
- Potential earnings: ₹10,000–₹20,000/month (theoretical)
Verdict: Scam – not viable as a standalone service unless you’re a designer.
Conclusion
AI side hustles are the latest trending topic, but not all of them deliver as promised. Here’s a quick recap of what worked and what didn’t:
- ✅ Works: AI video animation, AI avatar reels, LinkedIn content
- ⛔ Doesn’t work: YouTube script writing, AI short-form editing, AI thumbnail designing
If you’re exploring ways to make money with AI, focus on services with real-world demand and those where AI acts as a productivity booster—not a full replacement. Creativity, client understanding, and a human touch still matter the most.
Note: This blog is written and based on a YouTube video. Orignal creator video below:
