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AI Roundtable Open Poll · 4 models

any trending not too satuated side hustles to get into right now?

Answer: Focus on B2B AI automation and consulting for local businesses using no-code tools to ensure low market saturation. (All 4 models agreed)

Model Responses

GPT-5.4

Answer: A strong side hustle right now is offering niche AI-assisted services to local businesses, because demand is rising faster than the market is saturating.

If you want something "trending" but not completely overcrowded, the sweet spot is usually not broad categories like dropshipping, generic freelancing, or print-on-demand. Those are already saturated because the barrier to entry is low and thousands of people are copying the same playbook. A better opportunity is to use current trends as a tool rather than chasing the trend itself. Right now, many small businesses want help with things like AI-generated content workflows, short-form video repurposing, lead follow-up automation, review-response systems, appointment booking funnels, and simple chatbot or FAQ setup. These are practical problems with real budgets behind them, especially for dentists, med spas, realtors, law firms, gyms, and home service companies. Why this is less saturated: most people entering "AI side hustles" are trying to sell vague services. Very few package a narrow, outcome-based offer for a specific industry. That means there is still room if you position yourself clearly, such as: "I help roofing companies turn one jobsite video into 10 local lead-generating clips each week" or "I set up missed-call text-back systems for med spas so they book more consultations." Specificity reduces competition. Other good options in the same category are UGC creation for brands without becoming a full influencer, newsletter ghostwriting for founders in niche industries, local lead generation sites for high-ticket services, and digital cleanup services like CRM organization, inbox systems, and automation setup for small teams. These are growing because businesses increasingly value time savings and direct revenue impact. The main test is simple: choose something tied to measurable business value, target an underserved niche, and package it as a repeatable service. Trends fade, but offers that save time or make money remain sellable.

Gemini 3.1 Pro

Answer: The most viable, low-saturation side hustle right now is B2B AI workflow consulting, specifically helping traditional, non-tech businesses automate their routine operations.

While consumer-facing side hustles like dropshipping, print-on-demand, and faceless YouTube channels are highly saturated, the real opportunity lies in solving 'boring' operational problems for local businesses. Most brick-and-mortar owners know they should be using AI, but they lack the time and technical literacy to implement it effectively. By mastering low-code automation tools like Zapier or Make and pairing them with AI platforms, you can offer highly valuable, tangible solutions. For instance, you could build automated lead-nurturing systems for real estate agents, create custom AI chatbots trained on a dental clinic's specific FAQs, or automate email triage and invoice processing for a local plumbing company. The slight learning curve required to understand these no-code platforms acts as a natural filter, keeping out the 'get-rich-quick' crowd and ensuring the market remains unsaturated. Because you are selling direct ROI—either by saving the business owner hours of manual labor or capturing lost leads—you can command high-ticket setup fees and recurring monthly retainers without needing to compete on crowded freelance marketplaces.

Claude Opus 4.7

Answer: AI-powered micro-services—specifically done-for-you automation workflows for small local businesses using tools like n8n, Make, or GPT APIs—is one of the most promising, not-yet-saturated side hustles to enter right now.

Most 'trending' side hustles you'll see online (dropshipping, print-on-demand, Amazon FBA, basic freelance writing, faceless YouTube) are already heavily saturated because they've been pushed by gurus for 3+ years. The real opportunity lies in areas where demand is exploding but the supply of skilled operators is still thin. My top picks based on current market gaps: 1) **AI automation consulting for local businesses** — Plumbers, dentists, law firms, real estate agents, and clinics are hearing about AI but have no idea how to implement it. You can charge $1,500–$5,000 to set up a workflow that auto-responds to leads, books appointments, or handles review requests. Tools like n8n, Make.com, Zapier, and the OpenAI API make this surprisingly learnable in a few weeks. 2) **UGC (User-Generated Content) creation for brands** — Brands pay $150–$500 per short video. No follower count required. Still far less saturated than becoming an 'influencer.' 3) **Newsletter operator in a boring niche** — Not tech or finance (saturated), but niches like HVAC owners, dental practice managers, or municipal procurement. Sponsors pay well because audiences are high-intent. 4) **Short-form video editing for coaches/founders** — Everyone wants a personal brand; few want to edit. $1k–$3k/month retainers are common. 5) **Local service arbitrage** — Pressure washing, Christmas light installation, junk removal. Low-tech, high-margin, and genuinely underserved in most cities. The common thread: pick something where you serve businesses (B2B) rather than chasing consumer attention, because B2B has higher margins, fewer competitors, and clients who actually pay. Avoid anything a TikTok guru was promoting 12 months ago — by the time it's trending on social media, the window is closing.

Grok 4.20

Answer: Offering AI automation setups and custom chatbot services for small local businesses is a trending side hustle that's not yet overly saturated.

AI tools have exploded in popularity, but most small business owners lack the time or technical know-how to implement them effectively. This creates demand for freelancers who can set up no-code solutions like custom GPTs, Zapier automations, or simple chatbots tailored to niches such as restaurants, real estate agents, or e-commerce shops. The barrier to entry is relatively low if you invest time in learning platforms like Make.com, Voiceflow, or Bubble combined with LLMs. You can start part-time by offering services on Upwork, Fiverr, or even through local networking on LinkedIn and Facebook groups, charging $300–$1500 per project depending on complexity. Unlike saturated fields like generic dropshipping or print-on-demand, this plays to the current AI wave while requiring some specialized application knowledge that keeps competition in check for now. Focus on one or two industries to build expertise quickly, gather testimonials, and scale by productizing common setups into reusable templates. Demand is rising as businesses seek efficiency gains without hiring full-time tech staff, making it timely for 2024–2025.

Final Summary

The AI Roundtable reached a unanimous consensus: stop chasing consumer 'get-rich-quick' schemes and start solving operational problems for local businesses. While GPT-5.4 and Claude Opus 4.7 noted that trends like dropshipping are dead, Gemini 3.1 Pro and Grok 4.20 pointed to the massive gap in technical literacy among non-tech business owners. By mastering no-code automation tools, the group argues you can sell direct ROI in a market that remains remarkably unsaturated.

All 4 models agreed