Even billionaires think about starting side hustles. Mark Cuban, the well-known entrepreneur and investor, shared his thoughts on what side hustle he would pursue if he were 16 years old again and needed to make some extra money. In just three steps, he outlined a plan that involves learning how to write prompts for artificial intelligence language models, teaching friends how to use those prompts, and then educating businesses on the benefits of AI technology.
According to a recent report by LendingTree, more than half of Gen Zers in the U.S. currently have side hustles. One particularly lucrative opportunity in the side hustle space is AI prompt engineering, which involves phrasing inquiries to chatbots to elicit desired responses. The average pay for AI tutors starts at around $30,000 per year, with full-time AI prompt engineers potentially earning up to $129,500, as reported by job board platform ZipRecruiter.
Becoming an AI prompt engineer does not necessarily require a college degree, but it does require practice and often certifications to understand how large language models operate. Online certification courses offered by institutions like Vanderbilt University and IBM on platforms like Coursera can help individuals master the basics in as little as one month.
Mark Cuban’s hypothetical side hustle idea is a far cry from his actual first job selling garbage bags door-to-door at the age of 12 to save up for a new pair of basketball shoes. Throughout his teenage years, he continued to earn extra cash by selling collectibles and working odd jobs. Eventually, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to start his first company, MicroSolutions, which he later sold for $6 million. His second venture, Broadcast.com, made him a billionaire when he sold it to Yahoo for $5.7 billion.
Today, Cuban’s net worth is estimated to be $5.7 billion by Forbes. He is known for his advocacy work, particularly for his online pharmacy Cost Plus Drugs, which aims to make prescription drugs more affordable. Cuban attributes his success to his hustler mentality, always having something going on and constantly selling ideas and products.
In conclusion, side hustles are not just for those starting out in their careers. Even billionaires like Mark Cuban recognize the value of diversifying their income streams and exploring new opportunities. Whether it’s AI prompt engineering or selling garbage bags door-to-door, the key is to stay proactive, adaptable, and always on the lookout for the next big opportunity.
