Make Money with AI

Introduction

AI-generated art has become a hobby (and an obsession) for many of us, whether using tools like Stable Diffusion, DALL·E, Midjourney, or others. But at some point, you might wonder if all the time and effort you put into it could generate some income.

I've experimented with multiple ways to monetize AI-generated images and researched even more. Below, I'll share a detailed breakdown of the best ways to make money with AI-generated visuals. If you have additional ideas, feel free to share them in the comments.

Keep in mind that these methods can be combined. Some images can be repurposed across multiple income streams, increasing your earnings. While AI can make things easier, success often requires consistent effort, strategic planning, and sometimes additional post-processing work.

How Much Can You Earn?

While results vary, I’ve personally made a few thousand dollars a month through these methods. My first month brought in about $1,000, rising to $2,500 the next after being featured on a platform. The earnings fluctuated after that, but even with minimal effort, some AI artists report making $100 per week passively.

That said, don’t quit your job just yet! Think of this as a side income that can at least cover your AI tools or even become something bigger over time.

1. Selling AI-Generated Stock Photos

Where to Sell

Adobe Stock – Actively encourages AI-generated content, paying per download. Ensure images are at least 1800x1800 (upscaling tools like Gigapixel can help). They require a model release for realistic human images, but other categories (animals, landscapes, abstract art) work without issues.
Shutterstock & iStock – Have mixed policies on AI art, but you can check their latest guidelines.

Pro Tips

Seasonal trends drive sales. Adobe Stock provides lists of the most in-demand themes each season.
Use bulk image generation with bulkimagegeneration.com and bulk uploading to streamline submissions.

2. Selling AI-Generated Game Assets

AI can be a powerful tool for creating game-related assets, which can be sold on marketplaces like Itch.io, Unreal Engine Marketplace, GameDevMarket, and Unity Asset Store.

Types of Assets to Sell

Textures – Seamless patterns for wood, brick, metal, etc. (2048x2048 or higher is recommended). Use tiling checkers like this one.
PBR Materials – More complex textures with metallic, roughness, and height maps. AI tools like Substance Sampler can convert basic images into PBR materials.
Icons – Ability icons, character portraits, and item icons for RPGs and mobile games are in demand.
3D Textures & Assets – Use AI-generated textures to enhance simple 3D models like logs, doors, or environmental elements.

Marketplaces Ranked by Profitability

Unreal Engine Marketplace – High revenue potential and AI-friendly.
Unity Market – Strict AI requirements but lucrative if accepted.
Itch.io & GameDevMarket – Good for additional passive income.

3. AI-Generated Art for Fiverr & Custom Commissions

If passive income isn’t your goal, offering AI art services on Fiverr or Upwork can be highly profitable.

Services You Can Offer

Custom Image Generation – Logos, designs, personalized AI portraits.
AI Art Tutoring – Teaching others how to use AI tools.
Dreambooth Custom Models – Train AI models for personalized artwork.
AI Automation for Creators – If you can code, offering automation scripts can be valuable.

4. Selling AI Art for Books & Printables

AI-generated illustrations are being used in Kindle books, comics, and print-on-demand products.

Best-Selling Categories

Children’s Books – AI-generated images make creating illustrated books much easier.
Coloring Books – Adult coloring books with AI-generated patterns and illustrations are popular.
Visual Novels & Bestiaries – AI art lends itself well to fantasy-themed publications.
Printables on Etsy – Sell AI-generated designs on posters, stickers, and t-shirts.

5. YouTube & Content Creation

AI-generated images can fuel an entire YouTube channel. For example, some creators use AI art to make animated storytelling videos, generate thumbnails, or illustrate tutorials about AI art techniques. If you can build an audience, monetization follows.

6. Selling AI-Generated NFTs (Optional)

NFTs have seen ups and downs, but AI-generated art has been sold successfully in this space. If you're interested in crypto and Web3, AI art NFTs can be an avenue worth exploring.

7. Selling AI Prompts

If you’ve crafted powerful prompts that generate high-quality, unique results, you can sell them on platforms like PromptBase. This is a more passive income stream compared to generating images yourself.

8. Using AI Art in Custom Projects

Beyond direct sales, AI art can support other creative projects:

Indie Games – Developers use AI for concept art, backgrounds, or UI assets.
Card Games & Board Games – AI-generated illustrations help cut production costs.
Business Branding – AI art can be used in social media graphics, marketing materials, and website design.
School Projects & University Assignments – AI-generated assets can speed up creative projects.

Final Thoughts

Making money with AI art isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme, but with a little strategy, it can become a reliable income stream. Whether you're looking for passive earnings, side gigs, or a way to offset AI tool costs, these methods offer plenty of options to explore.

Which method interests you the most? Let me know in the comments!