14 Passive Income Ideas For Ai Specialists [2024]

Updated: September 21st, 2024

Interested in earning passive income as a ai specialist in 2024?

We put together a few of the best passive income ideas you can start as a ai specialist today. These will help you increase your quality of life by bringing in more income for yourself or your business.

For each income idea, we’ll show you real-world examples, revenue expectations for each idea, plus some things you might need to know before you start your passive income journey as a ai specialist.

Here's the full list:

1. Make passive income with an AI writing tool ($255K/month)

As an AI specialist, you could consider creating an AI writing tool to supplement your income. Such a tool leverages your expertise in artificial intelligence to generate accurate and engaging content, making it appealing to businesses, bloggers, and students who are constantly looking for efficient content creation methods.

Given the rapid advancements in technology, this enterprise has immense potential. By developing an AI writing tool, you could offer a solution that saves time and minimizes errors in writing, significantly enhancing productivity. This innovative approach addresses the growing demand for quality content, allowing you to make a meaningful impact while generating passive income.

How much you can make: $4,000 — $1,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 52 days (?)

I Built A Simple AI Writing Tool That Makes $60K/Year

Rytr, a new AI writing assistant developed by a startup platform and business incubator, has become a market leader, serving over 300,000 customers across the world and doing seven figures in ARR.

Read by 6,678 founders

2. Make passive income with an ai based business solution ($55.8K/month)

If you're an AI specialist looking to supplement your income, starting an AI-based business solution could be a practical and rewarding endeavor. By utilizing your expertise, you could help businesses streamline their operations, from automating repetitive tasks to providing data-driven insights that improve decision-making.

The demand for AI solutions is growing rapidly as businesses look for ways to gain a competitive edge. With user-friendly platforms and robust support systems now available, even those without a tech background can get started. By focusing on high-impact areas like customer service and inventory management, you could create solutions that deliver substantial value to clients, making it a worthwhile venture to explore.

How much you can make: $4,000 — $120,000/month

How long does it take to build: 125 days (?)

How We Launched A $120K/Month Audiobook Publishing Course

Mikkelsen Twins grew an online education company from scratch with over 800 students, making over 6-figures in profit every month thanks to their successful program, Audiobook Income Academy 2.0.

Read by 21,954 founders

3. Make passive income with a lead generation tool ($108K/month)

As an AI specialist, you could leverage your expertise to create a lead generation tool that helps businesses find and capture new customer leads automatically. Instead of companies spending countless hours searching for potential clients, your tool could seamlessly gather essential data such as email addresses, phone numbers, and customer interests by integrating with websites, social media channels, and other digital touchpoints.

This kind of tool is highly in demand, as businesses always look for ways to streamline their marketing efforts and expand their customer base. With your strong tech skills and an understanding of data, you could develop an efficient lead generation solution that attracts customers and generates passive income for you, all while serving a critical business need.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $400,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $600 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

How I Created A $5M/Year LinkedIn Marketing Automation Tool

Dux-Soup is a LinkedIn automation tool that helps business owners and sales & marketing professionals generate more leads, increase efficiency, and save time; with over 70,000 users and revenue of nearly $5 million, it offers automated top-of-the-funnel LinkedIn outreach activities, targeted LinkedIn campaigns and multi-touch & personalized LinkedIn drip campaigns for lead generation.

Read by 8,895 founders

4. Make passive income with a mobile app ($70.3K/month)

As an AI specialist, you could supplement your income by creating a mobile app that leverages your expertise. Whether you're thinking about a productivity tool that incorporates machine learning algorithms to manage tasks or an entertainment app that uses AI for personalized recommendations, your skills could be invaluable. The app market offers immense opportunities because people rely on their smartphones for a wide range of activities every day.

You could either code the app yourself or hire a developer who understands your vision. Your focus would be on planning the user experience, designing an engaging interface, and ensuring the app works flawlessly. With the right strategy and a bit of dedication, your app could attract a significant number of users, generating substantial revenue over time.

How much you can make: $1 — $500,000/month

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

We Started A $6M/Year Bachelorette Party App

BACH, an app that plans and books bachelorette parties, has grown from $0 to >$1M net revenue run rate in less than 6 months, gained over 100,000 users in their first 60 days, and has over 40,000 parties using the app this month.

Read by 10,976 founders

5. Make passive income with a corporate photographer ($23.4K/month)

As an AI specialist, you could explore passive income opportunities by starting a corporate photography business. This side venture would involve providing professional photography services to companies for marketing materials, website updates, events, and other business needs. Your technical skills could help you enhance the quality of your photos using AI-powered editing tools, giving you an edge over competitors.

Networking through social media and local events could attract clients, and showcasing your work in a solid portfolio can help build credibility. By understanding your clients' marketing strategies and brand vision, you could create compelling images that effectively convey their message. This could be a fruitful way to diversify your income while utilizing your existing tech-savvy skills for a creative and potentially lucrative business.

How much you can make: $8,300 — $50,001/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 100 days (?)

How I Run A $50K/Month Wedding Photography Studio Like A Startup

This case study follows the journey of an Indian first-generation entrepreneur who built Studio 31, a profitable and award-winning wedding photography and film company capturing over 350 weddings annually, with a unique focus on customer experience and organic marketing, serving more than 90% NRI clients and generating an annual revenue of about a million dollars.

Read by 17,767 founders

6. Make passive income with a niche blog ($31.5K/month)

As an AI specialist, starting a niche blog could be a great way to share your expertise and connect with a specific audience interested in AI. You could focus on underserved topics within the AI field, such as emerging technologies, ethical AI practices, or practical applications of AI in various industries. By sharing unique and informative content like how-to guides, industry commentary, and top product lists, you could quickly establish yourself as an authority in your chosen niche.

Monetizing your blog could involve generating visibility and growing your followers, providing affiliate links for relevant AI tools or courses, and collaborating with brands that resonate with your audience. Additionally, you could expand your reach by growing a YouTube channel and speaking at events, thereby generating more passive income opportunities. By consistently creating engaging content and interacting with your audience, your niche blog could become a valuable side project that supplements your income.

How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $650 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

How I Turned A Crappy Idea Into A $3M/Year Business

Starter Story grew to 1.4 million monthly visitors and millions in annual revenue by sharing the stories of entrepreneurs. Pat breaks down the early days and how he grew the business into something that changed his life.

Read by 77,320 founders

7. Make passive income with an online course sales business ($85K/month)

Starting an online course sales business could be a great way for AI specialists to supplement their income. You have a wealth of specialized knowledge in AI, which is in high demand, and creating a course allows you to share this expertise with a wider audience. Whether it's teaching the basics of machine learning, offering advanced techniques in neural networks, or providing insights into practical AI applications, your course could attract many learners eager to understand AI.

The process is straightforward: identify the specific topic or skill you want to teach, create comprehensive and engaging content, and then choose an online learning platform to host and sell your course. With the e-learning market projected to be worth over $645 billion in the coming years, there is a substantial opportunity to reach a vast audience. This could turn into a significant passive income stream, allowing your knowledge and expertise in AI to generate revenue long after the course materials are created.

How much you can make: $100 — $300,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

I Make $120K/Year With My Print On Demand T-Shirt Side Hustle

A multipreneur shares how she built a successful print on demand side hustle, generating $120,000 per year through multiple brands spread over various platforms.

Read by 12,002 founders

8. Make passive income with a wordpress plugin business ($33.4K/month)

Starting a WordPress plugin business could be a great way for an AI specialist to earn passive income. Given your background, you could identify common problems or inefficiencies that users face and create plugins that offer intelligent solutions. For instance, you could develop plugins that incorporate machine learning algorithms to improve website functionalities like content recommendations, spam detection, or even sentiment analysis for comments.

You could sell these innovative plugins on platforms like CodeCanyon or on your own website. Over time, as more users download and use your plugins, you could generate a steady stream of passive income. By tapping into your AI skills, you could create unique solutions that stand out in the WordPress community, making this a promising entrepreneurial venture.

How much you can make: $120 — $120,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

How I Coded A Website Plugin Making $600 Per Month

Wheely Sales CEO Josh created a lucky wheel popup that has grown revenue from $0 to $600/month in just 4 months since getting started and has attracted over 1.1 million users to his customers’ websites, all while proving that when it comes to creating a product, competition is validation.

Read by 18,949 founders

9. Make passive income with an email marketing tool ($235K/month)

As an AI specialist, one intriguing way to supplement your income is by developing an email marketing tool. Given your proficiency with algorithms and automation, you could create a tool that optimizes email campaigns for better engagement and conversion rates. By leveraging your AI skills, you could introduce advanced features like predictive analytics or personalized content recommendations that set your tool apart from competitors.

Exploring the email marketing industry could be particularly appealing because it is one of the most effective marketing channels and continues to grow rapidly. The global market for email marketing tools is projected to reach $2.53 billion by 2028, which suggests a significant demand for innovative solutions. Starting an email marketing tool may initially require setting up a domain and hosting account, but your expertise could unlock endless possibilities to cater to various professionals, from entrepreneurs and startups to real estate agents, thus creating a robust passive income stream.

How much you can make: $120 — $2,083,333/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 170 days (?)

I Built A SEO Tool That's Completely Free For Users [From Lebanon]

H-supertools founder Hasan developed a set of free SEO and digital marketing tools generating $2k per month in profit using Google Adsense, affiliate marketing, selling ad spaces, and email, plans to launch a membership option, and has attained over 80k registered users and 300k monthly visits in less than two years.

Read by 14,056 founders

10. Make passive income with a cold email service business ($170K/month)

As an AI specialist, starting a cold email service business could be a lucrative side hustle that leverages your analytical skills and strategic thinking. You'd be able to help companies directly reach new clients via carefully crafted email campaigns while analyzing metrics like open rates and conversions to continuously improve effectiveness. This business requires a knack for writing compelling emails and familiarity with email marketing tools, aligning well with your existing technical expertise.

You could start by targeting small businesses that need lead generation services and gradually expand your client base as your success stories grow. This venture allows you to blend marketing skills with your technical know-how, creating a service that’s always in demand. With a strategic mindset and a talent for engagement, you could find this business both rewarding and scalable.

How much you can make: $4,000 — $450,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $200 (?)

How long does it take to build: 35 days (?)

How I Launched A $200K/Month Gmail Mail Merge Tool

GMass, an email marketing platform that allows users to send cold emails and email marketing campaigns with Gmail, has attracted over 500,000 user signups, including major tech companies like Uber, LinkedIn, and Google, and now generates over $200K in monthly recurring revenue through a successful content marketing strategy and focused ad spend.

Read by 13,598 founders

11. Make passive income with a YouTube channel ($72.1K/month)

As an AI specialist, starting a YouTube channel could allow you to supplement your income by sharing your expertise, breaking down complex AI concepts into digestible content for beginners, or conducting tutorials. Given your depth of knowledge, your videos could attract a tech-savvy audience interested in learning more about machine learning, neural networks, or the latest AI advancements.

Creating high-quality, informative videos might initially require an investment of time and effort. However, the potential to earn through ad revenue, sponsorships, and even merchandise could make it worthwhile. Engaging consistently with your audience and leveraging your social media skills to market your channel could accelerate your growth and profitability.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $333,333/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,250 (?)

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

How A Young Entrepreneur From Nigeria Started A Profitable Blog

This case study follows the journey of a young entrepreneur from Nigeria who started a profitable blog generating a monthly revenue of $1,500+ through sales of advertising space, sponsored posts, and information products, and shares his strategies for success including a Twitter growth challenge and guest post pitches.

Read by 12,298 founders

12. Make passive income with an affiliate marketing business ($77.5K/month)

For AI specialists looking to supplement their income, starting an affiliate marketing business could be a great option. As an affiliate marketer, you could promote products related to your field, such as AI software, online courses, or tech gadgets, and earn a commission for each sale. This way, you capitalize on your existing knowledge and network, providing value to others while generating a passive income.

To get started, you'll need to learn how to find suitable products and reputable brands to partner with. For instance, you could partner with an AI tool manufacturer or an eCommerce store that sells AI-related products. Promoting these products through your own content, whether it's a blog, social media, or webinars, could help you earn commissions while sharing your expertise with a larger audience.

How much you can make: $500 — $773,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $700 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

My Affiliate Marketing Business Earns $500K/Year Profit [No Employees]

This case study explores how Spencer Mecham founded Buildapreneur, an affiliate marketing business, and has made over half a million dollars in profit with no employees, relying solely on content marketing through platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.

Read by 24,562 founders

13. Make passive income with a niche website ($107K/month)

As an AI specialist, you could leverage your expertise to create a niche website focused on topics like AI developments, machine learning tutorials, or reviews of AI tools and software. By sharing your knowledge and insights, you could attract a dedicated audience interested in AI technologies. This audience could consist of industry professionals, students, and tech enthusiasts who regularly visit your site for valuable information.

To make this venture profitable, you could monetize your site through affiliate marketing, ad placements, or even selling your own AI-related digital products such as e-books or online courses. By focusing on creating high-quality content and optimizing for search engines, your website could become a steady stream of passive income. This niche site could not only supplement your current income but also establish you as a thought leader in your field.

How much you can make: $400 — $250,000/month

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

How I Leveraged My LinkedIn Network To Create A $1.8M/Year Procurement Conference

DPW (Digital Procurement World) is a fast-growing conference and community in procurement that has more than tripled in revenue since launching in 2019, capping out the year at €1.8 million, with 95% of their growth coming from inbound traffic leveraging LinkedIn and applying social selling techniques.

Read by 3,594 founders

14. Make passive income with a podcast ($97.9K/month)

As an AI specialist, starting a podcast could be a fantastic way to supplement your income by sharing your knowledge and insights into the world of artificial intelligence. Podcasts are a popular platform for both entertainment and information-sharing, and you're perfectly positioned to create valuable content in this niche. By discussing current trends, innovative projects, and practical applications of AI, you could attract a dedicated audience eager to learn from your expertise.

To begin, you don't need a huge budget; just get a good microphone and headphones, and choose a topic within the AI field that genuinely excites you. Once you've recorded your episodes, you could publish them on free or affordable hosting platforms. Promoting your podcast through social media and online communities could help you build a following, and over time, this could lead to opportunities for sponsorships or advertising. This way, you're not only sharing your passion but also creating a potential stream of passive income.

How much you can make: $400 — $1,020,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week

How I Started A Successful Podcast Production Company

A successful podcast production company that grew from one client making $15/hour to a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10k/mo, primarily through referrals and with a focus on providing high personal touch and being picky about working only with clients who are a good fit.

Read by 19,170 founders

meet the author
Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.