In the old days, a side hustle meant selling homemade jam at the church fete or tutoring the neighbour’s sulky teenager in algebra. But times have changed. Now a side hustle means training AI models, selling virtual trainers for avatars and if you play your cards right, possibly making more than your actual job. So if you want to make some extra cash without resorting to pyramid schemes or becoming a street magician, read on.
1. Quantum AI: Making Money from the Mystical and Unfathomable
Quantum AI is the tech world’s dark matter—people know it exists but only about three people actually understand it. Fortunately you don’t need a PhD in physics to make a side hustle out of it. As businesses try to apply quantum computing to finance, security and logistics there’s a growing demand for people who can bridge the gap between baffling quantum concepts and, well, the rest of us. If you can explain quantum algorithms without causing your audience to lose the will to live you’re in business.
Every tech firm wants to sound cutting-edge and they need words that make their product seem futuristic rather than terrifying so writing quantum-friendly marketing copy is a niche. Even if true quantum computing is a few years off ‘quantum-inspired’ is already a buzzword companies are willing to pay for so there’s also an opportunity to develop quantum-inspired software tools that capture the imagination of investors.
2. Virtual Property Mogul: Because Bricks and Mortar Are So 2020
Remember when investing in property meant leaky roofs and difficult tenants? Well now you can be a property mogul without leaving your house. The metaverse is creating a whole new industry where people are buying, selling and renting virtual land—yes, digital plots that exist only on a server somewhere but which people are inexplicably willing to pay real money for.
Classic property flipping applies here: buy virtual land cheaply, sell it at a higher price when demand increases. Businesses and influencers are setting up shop in digital worlds and they need places to host events and virtual meetups so renting out virtual spaces is a money maker. If you have an eye for design you could even make money designing digital properties for those who don’t know how to rotate objects in a 3D space.
3. AI Whisperer: Training Robots to Behave
We’ve all yelled at Alexa, begged Siri or laughed at an autocorrect fail. AI isn’t perfect but that’s where you come in. As AI becomes more prevalent in customer service, personal assistants and even creative writing, companies need people to train their AI models – to make them more human, more intuitive and, ideally, less likely to start a rebellion.
AI training and annotation is feeding AI models with correct data so they learn without making silly mistakes. AI assisted creativity is booming and there’s a growing market for those who can create AI generated content from blog posts to art. And as AI becomes more woven into our daily lives, companies need ethical AI consultants to make sure their tech isn’t accidentally biased or, worse, a bit of a sociopath.
4. Biohacking for Beginners: Selling People Their Own Optimised Selves
Biohacking is what happens when you mix science, technology and a bit of mild obsession. People want to sleep better, work smarter and live longer – and they’ll pay good money for it. Personal biohacking coaching is a growing industry helping people tweak their diet, sleep and daily habits for peak performance. The market for ‘smart’ health accessories and nootropic supplements is growing so selling wearables and supplements is a lucrative business. If you can explain science in an engaging way, content creation around biohacking trends – whether through writing, blogging or vlogging – can make you an influencer in the space.
5. Digital Wardrobe Stylist: Fashion for the Pixelated Age
People have always wanted to look good and now they want their online personas to look good too. Digital fashion is booming whether it’s designing clothes for avatars, creating NFT fashion pieces or styling influencers in the metaverse.
Designing and selling digital outfits is one way to make money – think cyberpunk trench coats, glittering space-age ballgowns or even limited edition branded virtual trainers. If you can create one of a kind digital clothing that people can show off online you could tap into the growing NFT fashion market. There’s also room for virtual styling services helping online personalities craft a cohesive ‘look’ across platforms like TikTok, Twitch and Instagram.
6. Cybersecurity Vigilante: Keeping the Digital Streets Safe
As more people live their lives online, cybercrime is booming. Businesses and individuals will pay for help to keep their data safe and that’s where your side hustle comes in. Freelance ethical hacking allows you to test companies’ security systems to find weaknesses before the bad guys do.
With online scams and data leaks on the rise, online privacy consulting is another viable hustle, teaching people how to lock down their personal data and avoid cyber threats. If you prefer writing, breaking down complex cybersecurity topics in a way the average person can understand can be a profitable business creating security guides and educational content.
7. AI Life Coach: Motivating People, but With Data
Life coaching has been around for years, but now there’s a tech spin. AI life coaching uses data to create plans for people who want to improve their productivity, fitness or even love lives. AI assisted coaching services help clients achieve their goals with machine generated insights. Selling personalised productivity plans that promise to make you more efficient has a hungry market among busy professionals. Even AI dating advice—helping people navigate modern romance with algorithms that (supposedly) know best is an emerging industry.
The Future is for the Brave (and the Slightly Weird)
The world of work is changing and the side hustles of the future are weird and wonderful. Whether you want to train quantum AI, dress digital avatars or flip virtual land there’s an opportunity out there. The trick, as always, is to get in early, sound like you know what you’re talking about and if in doubt throw in some tech jargon. After all the best side hustles don’t just make you money they make you look impressively ahead of the curve while you’re at it
