A new survey of 1,007 side hustlers suggests that artificial intelligence is becoming a powerful accelerator for people building businesses alongside their regular jobs.
According to research from Network Solutions, 33% of respondents said they probably or definitely would not have started their side hustle without AI tools. For many, the biggest obstacle wasn't doing the work—it was knowing where to begin. In fact, 36% said figuring out their first steps was their biggest early challenge.
Faster launches, less work
AI appears to be helping new entrepreneurs move from idea to operation considerably faster. Among respondents using AI, nearly 40% said their business launched faster than expected, compared with 30% of those who didn't use AI.
The average concept-to-operation timeline was just one month. Baby boomers were surprisingly the fastest group to launch, with 47% becoming operational within four weeks, followed by Gen Z at 40%, millennials at 37%, and Gen X at 35%.
AI also helped reduce the workload. Users reported saving an average of nine hours per week, equivalent to almost 12 full workdays over a year. The most common applications included:
Writing and content creation
Social media management
Logo and branding development
Market research
AI users report higher earnings
The survey's most striking finding was the difference in reported monthly income.
Side hustlers who used AI reported earning approximately $555 per month, compared with $333 among non-users. Looking at median income, the difference was even larger: $500 versus $250—a twofold gap.
However, the researchers caution against interpreting this as proof that AI itself causes higher earnings. People who adopt new tools may already be more serious, committed, or likely to pursue their side hustle as a substantial source of income. The results therefore show a strong correlation, not a guaranteed financial return from AI.
The human challenges remain
AI can automate many tasks, but it doesn't eliminate the fundamental challenges of running a business.
Staying motivated was the biggest task respondents said they struggled to delegate, cited by 28%. Customer acquisition followed at 20%. Motivation also became more difficult with age, rising from 22% among Gen Z respondents to 37% among baby boomers.
Entrepreneurs on Reddit similarly emphasize that AI isn't a shortcut to easy money. Their advice is to focus on a specific niche, use AI to accelerate proven activities, and avoid reinventing the wheel.
Opportunity—and more competition
Most respondents said free, publicly available AI tools were sufficient to automate much of the planning and work required to launch their businesses. That lowers the barrier to entry—but it also creates a new competitive threat.
Nearly half (45%) of respondents fear AI makes it easier for competitors to copy their businesses. That concern was particularly strong among digital-product sellers (52%) and content creators (50%).
The takeaway: AI isn't replacing the entrepreneurial fundamentals of finding customers, creating value, and staying motivated. Instead, it's reducing the time and effort required to execute them. For side hustlers, the competitive advantage may come less from simply using AI—and more from using it strategically while building something competitors can't easily copy.