Billionaire investor Mark Cuban has outlined an AI side-hustle idea that could appeal to people looking to make extra money: learn to use artificial intelligence, teach others the skills and then offer those services to businesses.
In a 2024 interview with CNBC Make It, Cuban said that if he were 16 again and needed extra cash, he would learn to write prompts for AI tools such as ChatGPT and Google's Gemini, show friends how to use them and approach small and medium-sized businesses that had yet to understand how they could use the technology effectively.
The idea does not require buying stock or developing a physical product, potentially keeping initial costs low. But turning AI knowledge into a paying business would still require practice, credibility and customers.
Learn to Write Better AI Prompts
Cuban's proposed starting point is to learn how to get useful results from large language models by writing effective prompts.
Prompt engineering involves structuring questions and instructions to help AI chatbots produce more relevant and useful responses. Anyone who has received an off-target answer from ChatGPT or Gemini will understand that the way a request is framed can affect the result.
Developing this skill takes practice rather than simply memorising a collection of ready-made prompts. Test the same task across different AI platforms and compare the results. Experiment with adding context, providing examples and specifying the format you want. Over time, you can identify which approaches produce the most useful answers.
A computer science degree is not necessarily required to begin learning these techniques. Online courses can provide a structured introduction, while hands-on experimentation offers a way to practise. Free learning resources may also help beginners get started, although becoming proficient takes time and the tools available at no cost may have limitations.
Start Small and Find Clients
The next step is to turn that knowledge into a service people find useful enough to pay for.
Cuban's proposed approach begins with teaching friends how to write prompts for academic assignments. This offers an opportunity to practise explaining AI concepts and discover which instructions are confusing or ineffective.
Adults could follow a similar approach with relatives, colleagues, neighbours or local community groups. The aim is to gain experience explaining AI tools to people with different levels of technical knowledge before offering a paid service.
However, teaching someone to use a chatbot is only the starting point. Anyone hoping to make money from this approach needs to demonstrate that their guidance solves a genuine problem. That might mean helping a client draft clearer emails, organise information or use AI more effectively for routine tasks.
The key is to move beyond showing people which buttons to press and demonstrate how the technology can help them achieve something useful.
Sell AI Skills to Small Businesses
Cuban's next step is to approach small and medium-sized businesses that do not yet understand how to use AI effectively.
AI tools can assist with tasks such as drafting emails, developing marketing ideas, summarising lengthy documents and organising information, although their outputs still need to be checked for accuracy and suitability.
A small retailer, for example, might benefit from learning how to use AI to draft customer communications or prepare initial marketing copy. A freelancer could demonstrate appropriate workflows, explain the limitations of the tools and show staff how to review the results before using them.
The opportunity is not simply to sell access to a chatbot. It is to help customers apply AI to specific tasks they already perform.
Cuban has compared the current adoption of AI with earlier technological shifts, including the arrival of personal computers. His comparison suggests a potential opportunity for people who can help businesses understand unfamiliar technology, but it does not guarantee that AI adoption will follow the same path.
But demand is not guaranteed. Small businesses may already have suitable expertise, prefer to train staff themselves or be unwilling to pay for outside help. Anyone pursuing this route would need to identify a genuine need and show why their service offers value.
What Could You Earn?
The earning potential of AI-related work is one reason the idea may appeal to aspiring freelancers. However, salaries for established professionals should not be confused with the income someone can expect from a new side hustle.
US job-site ZipRecruiter has published salary estimates for prompt engineers, but these figures relate to employment rather than the earnings of someone teaching a handful of clients in their spare time. They also do not establish what a beginner in the UK could charge for AI training or consulting.
Actual earnings would depend on experience, the services offered, the number of clients secured and the fees they are willing to pay. Someone starting out might initially earn little or nothing while developing their skills and looking for customers.
Rather than treating advertised salaries as a financial forecast, aspiring freelancers should focus on demonstrating their abilities, identifying potential customers and establishing whether there is sufficient demand for their services.
Could It Lead to a Bigger Career?
An AI side hustle could also provide an opportunity to develop practical experience. Teaching others, understanding business needs and demonstrating how AI tools can support routine work may help someone build a portfolio of relevant skills.
With experience, some people might explore freelance consulting or apply for jobs involving AI implementation and prompt engineering. Others may find that occasional tutoring or training remains a useful source of supplementary income.
Neither outcome is guaranteed. Success depends on developing genuine expertise, delivering reliable work and finding people or businesses willing to pay for it.
Cuban's central idea is that learning to use AI effectively could become more than a personal productivity skill: it may also provide the basis for a service that helps other people and businesses. For anyone considering the approach, the first step is to learn the tools, practise explaining them and establish whether there is real demand for that help.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is prompt engineering?Prompt engineering involves structuring questions and instructions to help AI chatbots produce more relevant and useful responses.
- Do I need a computer science degree to start learning AI prompt engineering?No, a computer science degree is not necessary. Online courses and hands-on experimentation can provide a structured introduction.
- How can I find clients for my AI side-hustle?Start by teaching friends and family, then approach small businesses that may benefit from AI tools.
- What are the potential earnings from an AI side-hustle?Earnings depend on experience, services offered, and client base. Initial earnings may be low while developing skills and finding customers.
