This article appeared in SoFi's On the Money newsletter. Not getting it? Sign up here.

We hear it a lot: Artificial intelligence is coming for many people’s jobs, making much of the work we do obsolete. But AI can also strip away the drudgery of the daily grind — handling the tedious tasks that eat up our time so we have more room for the important, creative stuff we enjoy and are still needed for.

And, if you have a side hustle (or want one), it could even become your secret weapon.

If you’re a freelancer working on a flat-fee basis, efficiency is your best friend, right? If a project that used to take five hours takes two with a Generative AI tool such as ChatGPT, Claude, or Midjourney, your hourly rate effectively doubles. And beyond speed, AI might lower your barrier of entry. Maybe you have a vision for a side gig but lack the specific technical skills — like coding or graphic design — to get it off the ground. AI might be able to fill those gaps, allowing you to offer services that were previously out of reach.

The pivot is already underway. According to a 2025 survey of more than 900 U.S. gig workers by the resume-building site Zety, 88% believe AI tools have increased the value of their skills and 86% say AI has created entirely new types of gig opportunities.

And a new analysis by Resume Now found that rather than replacing side-gig workers, AI is making some forms of supplemental work not only faster, but easier for companies to outsource.

“In many cases, AI handles the time-consuming first pass, while humans remain responsible for judgment, accuracy, tone, and decision-making,” Resume Now wrote.

So what?

AI can be an opportunity as much as a threat to our work. And the upsides may be bigger if you’re self-employed. The key to adapting is to learn what AI can and can’t do well — and then recognize where your input is irreplaceable, whether it’s grant research, website design, or data analytics.

For inspiration, check out this Shopify list of ways to make money with AI, and the 10 side hustles Resume Now identified as benefitting from AI.

Here are a few:

•   Grant research assistant: AI can comb grant databases and summarize eligibility requirements with ease. But figuring out which opportunities actually make sense for an organization's mission is human work.

•   Online dating profile consultant: (Yes, this is a real thing.) AI can draft bios and analyze tone, but capturing a dater’s personality still requires emotional intelligence.

•   Online community moderator: AI can flag spam and surface rule violations, leaving you to identify what to do in sensitive or ambiguous situations.

•   Content repurposer: AI can summarize long text into social posts or email copy in seconds. Then you decide what's worth repurposing and ensure the right voice survives. (Given AI tools aren’t always accurate, we’d also add fact-checking to the list of tasks requiring a real person.)

•   Customer service writer: AI tools can draft help articles and step-by-step guides, summarizing product info for customer support documents. But a person still needs to be the reality check, refining the info to reflect circumstances and product nuances AI can’t anticipate.

Related Reading

More Than a Third of Workers Have a Second Source of Income (ZipRecruiter)

Will AI Really Destroy America’s Job Market? (Investing.com)

21 Best Side Hustle Ideas with a Low Startup Cost (SoFi)

Please understand that this information provided is general in nature and shouldn’t be construed as a recommendation or solicitation of any products offered by SoFi’s affiliates and subsidiaries. In addition, this information is by no means meant to provide investment or financial advice, nor is it intended to serve as the basis for any investment decision or recommendation to buy or sell any asset. Keep in mind that investing involves risk, and past performance of an asset never guarantees future results or returns. It’s important for investors to consider their specific financial needs, goals, and risk profile before making an investment decision.

The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. These links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement. No brands or products mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this content.

SoFi isn't recommending and is not affiliated with the brands or companies displayed. Brands displayed neither endorse or sponsor this article. Third party trademarks and service marks referenced are property of their respective owners.

OTM20260325SW