The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping entrepreneurship, giving individuals the tools to launch businesses faster than ever.
According to DollarSprout’s 2024 Side Hustle Report, 70% of Americans report having a side hustle, with over a quarter depending on that income for everyday expenses.
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While AI can’t replace real human vision, strategy and the hustle it takes to build lasting wealth, it seems to be helping more people get a faster, leaner start.
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In a survey of 1,000 active side hustlers and entrepreneurs, Liquid Web uncovered how AI is helping them to launch faster, earn quicker and grow smarter. Here’s how AI is fueling real momentum for side hustlers right now.
Speed matters, with the Liquid Web research sharing how ChatGPT and other tools helped side hustlers quickly build websites, create content and grow a digital presence without massive startup costs.
While the average launch time was just 17 days, a lucky few got their businesses up in as little as two. With faster launches, more side hustlers are making money quicker than ever.
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Three in five side hustlers used ChatGPT to level up their online presence. Website improvements (such as Chatbot integration and FAQ identification) and social media presence were among the top tasks AI tackled.
About one in five side hustlers started earning within a week, pulling in an average of $200 or more. The combination of quick setup and strong digital visibility seems to have given these entrepreneurs an early advantage.
Investing in your business is vital. Two in five side hustlers plan to reinvest their early earnings into even more advanced AI tools. Among Gen Z, that number climbs to 45%.
The payoff is clear in terms of reinvestment, with AI tools scoring high for cost-effectiveness, ease of learning, quality of output and the time savings they delivered.
Even with AI on deck, people looking to start up a side gig are still facing common hurdles. The biggest obstacles side hustlers reported were limited time (37 percent) and limited funds (30 percent), with others pointing to challenges with marketing skills, technical know-how and tool access.
As profits grow and confidence builds, many will shift gears and rely less on AI, instead outsourcing higher-level tasks and bringing in other professional support where it counts. AI gets them started and will support them on their way, but for many side hustlers, strategy and expertise are what’s needed to scale.
