AI Training
Get paid to help train AI models, with no technical experience required.
Recommended for: people who want to high pay (£20+ per hour is common), flexible hours, and don't mind mentally challenging work.
Avoid if: you want 'easier' work (this isn't for everyone, especially if you're looking to supplement a mentally challenging full-time job). Also avoid if you don't want remote-work, or don't like reading and analysing text.
Top AI Training Side Hustles
Pros and Cons
- High pay rates are common.
- Frequent work with very flexible hours.
- Some people may find the work interesting.
- Hard work can be rewarded with higher pay.
Entry exams an tests (unpaid) are common.
- The work can be challenging.
- Reports of users being dropped from platforms without explanation.
- Lack of transparency.
What is AI Training?
Generative AI models require help from real people to improve, from evaluating the responses of models, to prompt-writing or generating training data.
If you are a subject matter expert in a particular area (e.g., coding, physics, or creative writing) then you may be able to command a higher fee. If not, AI training side jobs are available to everyone.
Are AI Training gigs worth it?
Many AI training companies are far from perfect, but some AI Training side hustles offer a high frequency of flexible work with high pay. At Verified Hustles, we have earned upwards of $5000 (£3,800) from these sites while assessing them, with a current pay rate of $20 - $28 (£15 - £21/hour) with no specialist knowledge.
However, there are significant pitfalls and downsides to watch out for. The pay rates and difficulty for AI Training side hustles can vary considerably. Different platforms can pay very different amounts for almost exactly the same work. Many users have reported being removed by platforms without warning, or having pay rates cut overnight. The AI Training industry is very new and has significant teething problems, with poor communication being a common issue.
AI Training work can be difficult. No specialist knowledge is required, though good attention to detail and focus is important. It is common for AI training platforms to use (unpaid) entry tests or interviews to determine your suitability. Some platforms also require unpaid training to keep your AI Training skills sharp.
Despite these downside, AI training can be a fantastic way to earn flexible income but should not be relied upon. If you treat AI Training for what it is - high paying, ultra-flexible work, that may stop at any moment - then it can be one of the best side hustle opportunities available.
Tips
Here at Verified Hustles, we've trained a lot of AI models, across a number of platforms, for some of the largest companies in the world.
Take a look at our AI Training guides for specific platforms for the most relevant tips to maximise your AI Training income. At a high level, our top AI Training tips are:
- Spend time on your entry exam/application. No specialist knowledge is usually required for these exams, but you'll need to focus in order to pass. Block out some quiet time where you can put all of your attention into passing the exam for your best chance of success.
- Don't rush, and stay focused. Quality work is critical for AI Training. If you provide bad inputs then the AI models could actually be negatively impacted by your work. As a result, AI Training platforms frequently rate and review your work to ensure it is a high standard. From our experience, speed is less important but quality is paramount. Take your time, and watch your AI Training income increase.
- Use our Hustle Finder tool and read our reviews to find the best AI Training jobs. You may wish to start with one of the lower-paying opportunities to improve your skills before applying to the best platforms as the entry standards may be higher.
- Visit our Guides section for guides on each of the AI Training platforms we've tried. Each platform is different, so be sure that you read the guide on the platform you are working on.
- If you have expertise, use it to get paid more. Some AI Training platforms will pay higher rates for experts in particular areas. These often have very high entry requirements, requiring a PHD or advanced degree to qualify (more 'a Doctorate in Advanced Nuclear Physics and Statistics' than GCSE Physics).