1. Introduction: AI Skills and Side Jobs
The importance of AI skills
In the modern age where the importance of AI skills is increasingly emphasized, there is a need to understand their necessity and incorporate them into one's own skill set.
AI (artificial intelligence) is currently being used in various industries and businesses, and its technology is evolving day by day. AI technology has been introduced in a wide variety of fields, from manufacturing to medical care, distribution, education, entertainment, etc., bringing about major changes in work styles and lifestyles.
By understanding and utilizing AI technology, it is possible to seize these new business opportunities. By having AI skills, you can participate in a wide range of jobs, such as developing new services and products, streamlining existing business processes, and creating creative works.
Utilizing AI skills as a side job can not only seize these new opportunities, but also lead to career advancement. By acquiring new skills, you can get more job opportunities and increase your income stream.
The value of having AI skills is high, and their importance will continue to increase.
Advantages of using AI skills as a side job
You can enjoy various benefits by utilizing AI skills as a side job.
- High income: Talent with AI skills is currently in very high demand in the market. Therefore, it is possible to handle projects with high unit prices, and it is possible to earn sufficient income as a side job.
- Skill improvement: By utilizing AI skills as a side job, you can gain practical experience. As a result, skill improvement and career advancement can be expected even in the main business.
- Flexible work styles: Most side jobs that utilize AI skills allow remote work, so you can work without being restricted by time or location.
- Social Contribution: AI skills can also be used to solve social problems. It will be possible to contribute to society through side jobs.
As described above, utilizing AI skills as a side job allows you to enjoy not only economic benefits, but also multifaceted benefits such as self-growth, freedom of work style, and social contribution.
2. Side job methods and characteristics of utilizing AI skills
Side jobs using chatbots
First, let me briefly explain what a chatbot is. A chatbot is a program that uses AI technology to understand human language and perform dialogue. You'll often see them in messaging apps, websites, etc.
So what kind of side jobs make use of this chatbot? The main ones include chatbot development and improvement/maintenance of existing chatbots.
First, chatbot development requires AI technology and programming knowledge, but on the other hand, high rewards can be expected. On the other hand, it is possible to work on improving and maintaining existing chatbots while making use of language skills, business knowledge, etc.
While both utilize AI skills, you can choose a side job according to your field of expertise and skill set.
Side jobs using generative AI
Generative AI is AI that creates new data. A typical example of this is “deep learning.” Side jobs utilizing this technology are used for a wide range of tasks, such as image generation and natural language processing.
The first concrete example is article generation using AI. With the evolution of AI, AI can now automatically create standard articles, news reports, etc. Therefore, it is possible to provide article generation services. It's up to you whether you want to develop the service yourself or join an existing platform.
Also, as a second example, there is a business that uses natural language processing. This is a technology that allows AI to understand human language and generate appropriate responses. By utilizing this, it is possible to develop customer-facing chatbots and provide tasks such as SNS analysis.
As you can see, there are a wide range of side jobs using generative AI, and let's utilize skills according to diverse needs.
Side jobs using AI engineering
AI engineering is a side job method that makes use of AI technology implementation and system development skills. The number of companies and projects adopting AI engineering is increasing year by year, and freelance AI engineers are very useful among them.
Specific side jobs include system development and application creation using AI. These differ from general system development, and require specialized knowledge of how AI works and how to utilize the results.
Also, the advantages of working as a freelancer include being able to use your time flexibly and being able to sell your skills directly to the market. On the other hand, keep in mind that the skills required are advanced, so self-study and specialized training will be required.
One flow for turning AI engineering into a side job is as follows.
- Learn basic knowledge about AI
- Acquire specialized knowledge (machine learning, deep learning, etc.)
- Participate in projects and gain hands-on experience
- Work as a freelancer
An AI engineering side job can be said to be an attractive option where you can make use of your own skills and earn income while improving your technical skills.
3. Points for earning money from side jobs using AI
How to win high unit price deals
In order to obtain high-cost projects, it is important to first match one's own skills with market needs. Let's grasp the characteristics of AI skills and the fields you are good at, and explore the side job market where they are required.
Second, it's also important to properly promote your own skills. We recommend organizing your portfolio and achievements, and then showing off not only your technical strengths, but also soft skills such as problem solving ability and teamwork.
Also, in order to obtain high-cost projects, it is essential to build a relationship of trust. By continuing to provide high-quality results to clients who have signed up once, you can get repeat customers and referrals.
A specific action plan is shown below.
- Match your AI skills with market needs
- Appropriate PR for skills
- Building trusting relationships with clients
By following these steps, it will be possible to acquire high-cost side jobs that make use of AI skills.
How to acquire essential knowledge and skills
When starting a side job utilizing AI skills, the first thing you should learn is a “programming language.” Python and R are particularly commonly used in the AI field. By getting used to these languages, you will be able to develop using AI-related libraries and frameworks.
Next, let's learn the basics of AI. Among AI, understanding of data analysis and machine learning is particularly important. Specifically, basic knowledge of mathematics such as statistics, probability theory, and linear algebra, as well as understanding the basic mechanisms of machine learning algorithms and neural networks are required.
Finally, business skills are also important. The ability to accurately understand customer needs and provide solutions using technology is necessary when utilizing AI skills as a side job.
These knowledge and skills can be learned on your own using online learning platforms, reference books, seminars, etc. Acquiring skills takes time and effort, but the results are directly linked to success in side jobs.
How to gain management experience as a side job
When utilizing AI skills as a side job, not only technical ability, but also management experience to smoothly manage projects is required. In particular, managing time and tasks is critical. Therefore, specific ways to build up management skills are shown below.
- task management
- In side jobs that make use of AI skills, many tasks occur. So, make use of task management tools. There are tools like Trello and Asana.
- time management
- Balancing a main job and a side job is not easy. Let's clarify the time to be spent on each task and perform scheduling using Google Calendar etc.
- team communication
- If you have the opportunity to work with multiple people as a side job, efficient communication is necessary. Use communication apps such as Slack and try to have a smooth conversation.
By acquiring these management skills, it is possible to build a foundation for making the most of AI skills in side jobs.
4. Realistic sites for side jobs that utilize AI skills
Specific examples of AI side jobs
Here are some specific examples of side jobs using AI.
- Chatbot development: There is a chatbot development project that automates customer support on sites and SNS operated by companies and individuals using AI natural language processing technology. This is a concrete example of using AI skills to solve problems.
- Data analysis: It is a job that analyzes huge amounts of data using AI to extract useful information in order to support business decisions. This requires machine learning techniques.
- AI consulting: We also provide advice to companies considering the introduction of AI. Since AI expertise and industry experience are required, it is likely to be a high-cost project.
Demand for AI-related side jobs such as those described above is directly linked to improving work efficiency and creating business opportunities for each company, so demand is only increasing.
Examples of successful AI side jobs
I would like to introduce a freelance AI engineer as an example of succeeding with AI skills as a side job. In addition to his regular engineering work, he utilized his AI skills to develop a side job creating and providing AI educational content for developer communities and companies.
Below is a summary of his successful side job points.
1. Expertise; familiar with cutting-edge AI technology
2. Educational; ability to communicate AI expertise in an easy-to-understand manner
3. Marketing; successfully promote your skills and educational content to the market
In this way, he not only makes use of his AI skills, but he has also achieved success as a side job by providing opportunities for others to acquire AI skills and connecting them to business.
From this case study, it can be suggested that side jobs that utilize AI skills can not only directly sell one's technical skills, but also raise profits from multiple angles by utilizing them widely in the form of education and consulting.
5. Points to keep in mind before starting a side job
Mindset before starting a side job
Being prepared before starting a side job is an important step towards success. In particular, when utilizing AI skills, it is important to keep the following three points in mind.
- Be prepared to invest in yourself In the AI field, where technology is evolving day by day, regular learning is necessary to maintain and improve skills. It is important to have an awareness of actively investing in yourself, even if it takes time and money.
- Fostering continuity Side jobs that utilize AI skills do not produce results overnight. Results can only be achieved by continuing steadily. We recommend devising ways to maintain your own motivation and thinking about countermeasures over a long period of time.
- Risk management awareness Side jobs should be carried out in a way that minimizes the impact on the main business. It is important to have an awareness of risk management, such as confirming the authenticity of job information, fully understanding contract details, and information management.
By having these attitudes, side jobs utilizing AI skills will become more secure.
Copyright and security measures for side jobs
When using AI skills as a side job, what you need to be careful about is copyright and security measures. When you do work using AI as a side job, what happens to the copyright of the AI models and programs you create? Basically, there are many cases where copyright is transferred to the requester, but depending on the details of the contract, it is also possible to hold it yourself.
Also, side jobs that use AI often handle large amounts of data. Since there are cases where personal information or confidential corporate information is handled, it is necessary to take measures to prevent security issues such as information leakage. It is necessary to firmly take specific measures, such as strengthening the security of PCs and network environments used for work, and how to manage customer information.
We recommend that you understand copyright and security before starting a side job and work out countermeasures so as not to get into trouble later.
Related laws and tax measures
When utilizing AI skills in side jobs, it is important to have a clear understanding of relevant laws and regulations and tax measures.
First, with regard to laws and regulations, work using AI may be involved in various laws, such as the Personal Information Protection Act and the Copyright Act. For example, when developing chatbots, it is necessary to properly manage information from users so that it does not violate the law.
Furthermore, taxes are applied to income earned from side jobs. Therefore, knowledge about taxes, such as how to file final returns and calculate income tax, is also necessary. Also, if you earn a high amount of income from a side job utilizing AI skills, it may be treated as a business, so consider corporate tax and consumption tax measures as well.
Below is a summary of tax measures for side jobs.
Income tax; return the amount obtained by subtracting expenses from side business income
Consumption tax; if annual sales exceed 10 million yen, consumption tax payment is required
Corporate tax; if your income as a sole proprietor exceeds a certain amount, consider establishing a corporation
While holding these down, try a side job utilizing AI skills.
6. Summary: In order to make the most of AI skills in side jobs
Proposals for specific action plans
First, in order to learn AI skills, let's use free programming materials and AI-related courses offered online. Basic operation methods for languages such as Python and R, and basic knowledge of machine learning are essential.
Next, apply for specific side job projects using the skills you've decided. Projects can be found by using platforms such as Freelance and Upwork. We agree that you accept your first project even at a low unit price. This is to increase experience points and improve skills.
Furious, We Will Deliver Experience and Skills Through Each Project, and Delivered from Clients. This will be your track record, and it will be the basis for considering a high unit price for the next project.
Finally, it is important to keep up with AI technology trends and learn new knowledge. Since AI is an industry that is progressing, the latest knowledge is often required. We consider using part of the income earned through work into self-investment to improve your skills.
Intense learning resources to improve AI skills
Appropriate learning resources are essential in order to improve AI skills. To that end, we used online education platforms such as the following.
- Coursera: There are many courses that are considered in AI, and they are suitable for a wide range of users, from interested to advanced users. There is a wide range of courses taught, and some are taught by learned.
- edX: You can take courses taught by top universities around the world, such as Harvard University and MIT. There are courses on various technologies, including AI.
- Udemy: There are plenty of courses taught by professional instructors, and they can also be easily taught in the season. You can learn programming skills in general, not limited to AI.
Also, there are “Google AI Hub” and “Microsoft AI School” as free teaching materials. You can learn everything from basics to applications related to AI.
Engage these resources, hone your AI skills, and use them as a side job.
7. Question Corner: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
Questions from readers and answers to them
Some questions and answers from readers about side jobs using AI skills are shown below.
- “Is it possible for AI skills to do side jobs?” Yes, it's possible. Even if they learn AI skills from online teaching materials and books and use them for side jobs if they are taught to learn.
- “How long does it take to use AI skills as a side job?” This depends on the individual project and your own skill level, but why not start with a few hours a day? Time management is very important.
- “How much income can I earn from side jobs using AI?” This also depends on the project and ability, but freelancers with AI skills can easily earn high income.
- “How to start a side job using AI skills?” After learning basic AI knowledge, it's a good idea to search for side jobs on sites that search for freelance projects.
8. Expand your skills with AI skills
If you have AI skills, you can already be a pioneer in a new era. By saying that power as a side job, your life will be even richer.
By overcoming AI skills, you can transcend time constraints and expand your own strengths. Also, a side job will be a place to refine your skills, provide a new perspective, and even get your value determined by society. That's why don't you want to try a side job that makes use of your AI skills. This path is full of opportunities and opportunities, beyond what you might think.