I researched 200 different AI business models in the last month, and frankly, most of them are doomed to failure.
Spend a few minutes on social media and you won’t be able to ignore the plethora of “AI businesses” and accompanying prompts that promise big profits with minimal effort. After seeing firsthand how powerful AI has become by helping agents run computers and improve productivity, I decided to leave my email address blank so that I could receive 200 AI Business Ideas in my inbox.
Since then, we’ve tried many things, from training models and building SaaS to launching the entire platform. I wanted to see if they were as easy as the marketing claimed and if they were impractical for busy people with limited time (or in my case, I have 3 kids and about 20 minutes uninterrupted on a good day).
My test became a unique question for Tom’s Guide readers. Which AI business idea can you actually launch this week? I reviewed dozens of ideas and narrowed them down based on three factors: technical skills, time, and a clear path to making money.
Here’s what passed my test (because I literally do testing on the side).
1. AI content reuse service
What is it: This role uses AI to “repurpose” long-form content such as blogs, YouTube videos, blogs, etc. and restructure it into short-form posts for email newsletters, TikTok scripts, or LinkedIn posts.
Test method: I dropped one of my articles into ChatGPT and asked them to turn it into 5 tweets, a LinkedIn post, and a short video script. It took less than 2 minutes and the output was good enough to be edited without much rewriting.
Why this works: The internet is full of content, but many small business owners and sole traders don’t have the time to recycle it or know how to monitor their AI to ensure it gets the job done without hallucinations. Small businesses often need creatives to help with marketing. I’ve done this for a local law firm and real estate agent.
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2. Product explanation using AI
What is it: Chatbots like Claude have great context and writing capabilities. For small e-commerce shops like Etsy, Shopify, and Amazon, product descriptions can make or break a sale. AI makes this much easier.
Test method: I do this work on a freelance basis, but to avoid showing real clients, I gave the AI a basic product list from Crusted, a company that pretends to be cold pizza, and asked for an SEO explanation, a benefits-focused version, and a short, mobile-friendly version. The ability to use AI to create many descriptions at once could be a total time-saver.
Why this works: Most small sellers’ copy is terrible and a better description will lead to more sales. You can start this type of work right away by finding a list that is poorly explained and includes pitch improvements.
3. AI “handwritten” memo
What is it: Not only is AI good at writing “thank you” messages, it can also copy handwritten text with the power of image analysis and AI image generation.
Test method: This is a side hustle that I actually had a lot of fun incorporating. But instead of being a “Hallmark style” greeting card, we’re giving it a twist because we’re putting our own creative spin on it. I sell on Etsy and have had a lot of success with chaotic greeting cards.
Why this works: In my experience, people buy these cards because they want to send an actual card in the mail, not just a thank you email. With wedding season, baby shower season, and pool parties coming up, we’re already seeing an increase in orders.
What is it: Create batches of captions and post ideas for your business. This role is like a copywriter with the power of AI to improve productivity.
Test method: I asked ChatGPT “Give me 10 Instagram posts from local coffee shops.” Next, we refined the tone and added hooks and CTAs.
Why this works: The hardest thing about social media is consistency, not ideas. There are many niches to focus on, such as real estate, fitness, and other local businesses. I don’t do this much anymore, but I’ve personally seen success doing this on Upwork.
5. LinkedIn Optimization
What is it: Rewrite your resume and profile to be clearer and more competitive
Test method: Looking at the job market, it’s clear that AI is playing a big role in attrition. Leveraging AI to enhance your resume (or help others refine and edit yours) can be a fun and creative side hustle. I gave ChatGPT my basic resume and asked it to test it, quantify my accomplishments, improve my bullet points, and tailor it to the job description. It turned a common experience into something really impressive.
Why this works: Most resumes underestimate people. AI can help redefine that value. If you know that person, you can really help by combining that know-how and creativity with AI improvements. I’ve helped many friends and family improve their resumes with AI, and it’s been surprisingly effective.
conclusion
I have a family of five, so I’m always looking for side jobs that I can do from home in the evenings and weekends, in addition to cutting down on expenses. These five are among the easiest options in the list of 200. All of these jobs have been personally performed and tested by me. It may not make you rich, but it’s easy to get started, doesn’t require much experience, and can be done anywhere.
The real point here is that you don’t need to start an AI company to make money with AI. You just need to find a way to use it in your specific job. The real advantage right now is not having a better tool, but being one of the few people actually using it.
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