Last fall, during a late-night brainstorm fueled by stale coffee and wild ambition, I realized the top earners next year won’t be who everyone expects. While most people are still chasing coding bootcamps and digital marketing SEO formulas, a new breed of high-income earners is quietly mastering an entirely different playbook. This isn’t about having the fanciest degree or startup pedigree. It’s about knowing how to wrangle AI—creatively, strategically, and sometimes, against all odds. Let’s peel back the curtain on the top 9 AI skills you can grab today, starting from zero (plus, a couple of juicy secrets AI insiders rarely share).
1. Why Prompt Engineering Pays (or: The Myth of the One-Click Prompt)
Prompt Engineering: The New Gold Rush
Ever heard of people earning $50–$100 an hour just for talking to bots? Sounds wild, right? But that’s exactly what prompt engineers do. They’re not coding. They’re not building apps. They’re crafting the perfect message for AI—turning simple text into powerful results.
Garbage In, Garbage Out
Let’s be honest: most people use AI like they use Google… badly. They type in a vague request and hope for magic. But here’s the thing—AI is only as smart as the prompt you give it. If you feed it junk, you get junk back. That’s the rule. It’s called garbage in, garbage out.
“Asking the AI to say, ‘Create me a marketing plan,’ is not a great prompt. And yet, that is how most people use it every day.”
The Secret Sauce: Role-Based, Example-Driven Prompts
Forget generic requests. If you want gold, you need to be specific. Think about it: would you ask a lawyer, “Summarize this”? Or would you say, “Act as a lawyer and review this contract for legal risks”? The difference is huge. The more you define the role and provide examples, the better your results.
- Role specification: Tell the AI who to be (marketer, designer, lawyer, etc.).
- Input data: Give it real info, not just a vague idea.
- Clear ask: State exactly what you want—analysis, research, summary?
- Output format: Bulleted list? Short summary? Table? Spell it out.
A Real-World Example
Quick story. A friend needed help with a tricky legal document. Instead of just dumping the text into ChatGPT and saying, “Summarize this,” she wrote: “Act as a lawyer. Here’s a contract. Highlight any legal risks and suggest improvements. Output as a bulleted list.” The result? She got a clear, actionable review in minutes. No wasted time. No confusion.
The Four-Step Prompt Structure
- Role: Who should the AI be?
- Input Data: What info does it need?
- Clear Ask: What do you want it to do?
- Output Format: How should it deliver the answer?
It sounds simple, but most people skip these steps. They treat AI like a magic 8-ball. Don’t be that person. There’s an art—and a bit of science—to getting gold from AI.
Want to Level Up?
If you want to see real prompt templates, there are cheat sheets out there (Dan Martell’s is a good one). But honestly, just start practicing the four steps above. You’ll see the difference fast.
Takeaway
Prompt engineering isn’t about tricking a robot. It’s about knowing how to talk to it—clearly, specifically, and with purpose. That’s why it pays. And why it’s not going away anytime soon.
2. Code Without Coding: How AI-Assisted App Builders Break Barriers
AI-Powered App Building: No Degree Required
Ever thought you needed a computer science degree to build software? Not anymore. Today, AI-enabled “non-coders” are pulling in $100–$200 per hour creating custom apps for small businesses. That’s not a typo. It’s a real shift, and you can be part of it.
Forget those endless programming books. There’s a better way. One founder put it simply: prototyping apps with AI tools like Cursor, Replet, and Retool is faster, more fun, and—let’s be honest—a lot less boring than slogging through textbooks. Most of these tools? Free or cheap. They do the heavy lifting. You just bring your ideas.
“All the prototypes we built are built by normal people that are not programmers.”
Who’s Doing This? Regular People Like You
You don’t need to be a tech whiz. You need creativity and a bit of stubbornness. That’s it. Martell Ventures, for example, launches AI-first small business software with teams of regular folks—no expert coders in sight. The secret? AI coding tools that let you “talk” to the software. You describe what you want, the AI writes the code.
The 3 Wild Steps to Building Apps (Even If You’ve Never Coded)
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Let AI Teach You
Sounds weird, right? But it works. Open ChatGPT or your favorite chatbot. Say, “Teach me how to build an app using Replet.” The AI will walk you through, step by step. It’ll even tell you what buttons to click and what code to paste. No gatekeeping. -
Spot Real Problems
Don’t build just for fun. Talk to consultants, business owners, or entrepreneurs. Ask them: What’s the one thing you wish software could fix? Listen closely. That’s your goldmine. Co-create with them if you can—they know the pain, you bring the solution. -
Build Scrappy Prototypes & Iterate
Here’s where most people freeze. They get stuck in “shelf help” mode—collecting info, watching YouTube, reading blogs. Don’t just learn. Do. Build something, anything. Test it. Play with it. The ones who actually launch prototypes? They’re the ones cashing those big checks.
Don’t Let “Shelf Help Syndrome” Stop You
It’s easy to get lost in research mode. You read, you plan, you dream. But nothing happens until you just freaking do it. The real money is in action, not theory. Even if you’re more of an artist or designer, AI can help you turn your ideas into real, working apps—no threat to your creativity.
Quick Glance: How Much Can You Make? What’s the Workflow?
| AI Software Dev Hourly Income | 3-Step Builder Workflow |
|---|---|
| $100–$200 | Learn tool → Identify pain → Build prototype |
Tool Suggestions to Get You Started
- Cursor – Chat with your code, get instant help
- Replet – Build, test, and deploy apps in your browser
- Retool – Drag-and-drop app builder for business tools
So, what’s stopping you? The AI revolution isn’t waiting for anyone. Maybe it’s time to stop reading and start building.
3. Unleashing Your Inner Designer—No Art Degree Required: AI for Creative Pros
AI Design: The New Playground for Creative Minds
Ever dreamed of making jaw-dropping designs but never picked up a paintbrush? Good news: you don’t need an art degree anymore. AI is flipping the script. Right now, generative photo and design skills can earn you $100–$200 per hour. That’s not a typo. And the best part? You don’t need years of technical training—just a spark of creativity and a willingness to experiment.
From Mutant Hands to Magic: The 6-Month Leap
Remember when AI-generated images looked… well, weird? Six fingers, three eyeballs, faces that melted if you looked too close. That was just six months ago. Now? The results are nearly photorealistic. The leap in quality is wild. It’s like going from crayon doodles to magazine covers overnight.
Ideas Over Technical Skill: AI as Your Creative Partner
Here’s the secret: AI design isn’t about pixel-perfect skills anymore. It’s about the ideas you bring to the table. The tools? They’re smarter than ever. You just need to know how to ask the right questions—what’s called “prompting.”
- Generative photo tools (like Midjourney or DALL-E) can turn your wildest ideas into slick, shareable images.
- Photo editing is now for everyone. Upscale old, blurry photos. Run mockups for clients. Create assets in seconds with Photoshop AI or Topaz.
- Web design? Plug-and-play with Figma’s AI plugins or reloom.io. Build sites for clients in hours, not weeks. And for a fraction of the old price tag.
Anecdote: Viral Hot Sauce & Supercar Keys
Let’s get real. I once invented a hot sauce brand with AI—just for fun. The logo, the label, even the bottle mockups? All AI-generated. It went viral. People loved it. And I’m not a designer. Sometimes I get excited and want to design new key fobs for my supercar collection. Why? Because custom keys are cool. But I can’t draw to save my life.
I want to design new key designs for my supercar collection because hey, custom keys are cool. I’m not a designer. Guess what? AI is.
Web Design: From $20K to a Fraction
Here’s a number that might make you blink: Websites used to cost $15,000–$20,000. Now? You can deliver pro-level sites for a fraction of that. And keep the difference. The automation is real, and it’s putting power in your hands—no coding bootcamp required.
- AI design income: $100–$200/hr
- Photo editing and asset creation: seconds, not hours
- Web design: Automated, affordable, and accessible
So, what’s stopping you from unleashing your inner designer? The tools are here. The market is hungry. And you? You just need to start.
4. Lights, Camera, Automation: AI Video Editing That Outpaces the Pros
AI Video Editing: The $100–$200/hr Revolution
Ever thought you could earn up to $200 an hour just by editing videos? Sounds wild, but it’s real. AI video editors are charging rates that used to be reserved for entire production teams. The difference? Now, you don’t need a studio full of experts. You just need the right tools—and a bit of creativity.
| AI Video Editing Hourly Income | Technical vs. Creative Skill |
|---|---|
| $100–$200 | Was 80% technical, now mostly creative |
From Tedious Tasks to Instant Results
Remember when editing meant hours of cutting silence, fixing audio, and redoing takes? Not anymore. AI handles all the boring stuff—instantly. As one pro put it:
‘Now with AI, it’s literally instant.’
That’s not an exaggeration. What once took days now happens in minutes. Sometimes seconds. It’s like having a sous chef who preps everything, so you just plate the dish and take the credit.
Clipping: The New Gold Rush (Even Kids Are In)
Here’s a fun twist: the skill of clipping is in demand. Every creator needs someone to sift through hours of footage and find those “golden moments” for TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube Shorts.
- Got a 12-year-old at home? They could get paid to clip highlights for YouTubers. No joke.
- Tools like Firecut and Opus make it easy—even for total beginners.
It’s not about knowing every technical trick. It’s about spotting what’s funny, moving, or viral-worthy. That’s the magic.
AI Avatars & Deepfakes: Sci-Fi Is Now
Think AI avatars and deepfakes are just for movies? Not anymore. Platforms like Vidyard and Synthesia let you create a digital version of yourself (or anyone, really) that talks, gestures, and even mimics your style.
- Never want to appear on camera? Let your AI twin do it.
- Some creators have never recorded a video—AI does it all. Scripts in, viral shorts out.
It’s a little weird, honestly. But it works.
B-Roll Gone Wild: AI Finds (or Creates) What You Need
B-roll used to mean digging through terabytes of footage, hoping to find that one perfect shot. Now? AI searches, sorts, and even generates new clips if you need something that doesn’t exist.
- Want a shot of you skydiving, but you’ve never jumped? AI can make it look real.
- Need a quick cutaway for a brand video or grandma’s birthday montage? Done in seconds.
The technical barriers are gone. What matters now is your creative eye.
Why Creativity Wins (and Who Hires You)
Here’s the kicker: 80% of video editing used to be technical skill. Now, it’s mostly about creative decisions. If you can tell a story, spot a meme, or make someone laugh, you’re in business.
- Your next client could be a big brand. Or just your neighbor who wants a killer birthday video.
- Kids, teens, adults—anyone with an eye for moments can get paid.
AI does the heavy lifting. You bring the spark.
5. Not Another Boring Blog: AI Writing Skills that Actually Pay Off
Why AI Writing Isn’t What You Think
You’ve probably heard the hype: AI writers are raking in $100–$200 an hour. But here’s the twist—nobody’s paying that for generic, robotic paragraphs. The real money? It’s in the human stuff. The stories. The voice. The ideas that make people stop scrolling.
From Transcripts to Gold: A Real-World Anecdote
Let’s get specific. Imagine you’re on a team that records every coaching call, every brainstorming session, every offhand comment. Instead of asking AI to spit out a blog post, you feed it those transcripts. The AI doesn’t write for you. It extracts the best stories, the lessons, the quotes—the nuggets that make your content real. Suddenly, your newsletter isn’t just another info dump. It’s you, but sharper.
The Three-Layered Skill Stack
- Extraction: This is where you start. Take long-form content—videos, podcasts, messy notes. Use AI to break it down, find the essence, and pull out the ideas that matter. Think of it like panning for gold. Most of what you get is just dirt, but every so often, there’s a nugget worth a fortune.
- Ideation: Next, feed the AI your best-performing content. Let it analyze what’s worked before. Then, ask it to pitch new ideas, fresh angles, or viral hooks based on real data. It’s like having a brainstorming partner who never gets tired (or bored).
- Creation: This is where you avoid the dreaded “AI voice.” Train a custom GPT on your unique style. Give it examples of your proudest work. The result? Content that sounds just like you—or your client. Not just for blogs, but for tweets, LinkedIn posts, even marketing campaigns.
Real Applications, Real Money
- Newsletters that people actually read
- Tweets and threads that go viral on X (formerly Twitter)
- LinkedIn posts that get you noticed by the right people
- Marketing campaigns with a personal touch
The secret? Real stories beat generic text every time.
‘The most valuable business skill isn’t writing words, it’s communicating ideas.’
Custom GPTs: Your Secret Weapon
Here’s where things get wild. You can build custom GPTs that mimic any writing voice. Want to sound like a tech CEO? Or maybe a stand-up comedian? Feed your AI the right samples, and you’re there. This isn’t just about sounding smart—it’s about standing out. Personal branding, viral campaigns, even customer support emails—your custom AI can handle it all.
Wild Card: Hemingway, Rebooted
Let’s play with a thought experiment. What if Ernest Hemingway had his own custom GPT? Imagine the literary chaos. One click, and you’ve got a thousand “Hemingway” hot takes flooding the internet. Controversy, debate, maybe even a few viral feuds. That’s the power of a unique voice—amplified by AI.
So, if you’re eyeing that $100–$200/hr bracket, remember: it’s not about letting AI do the writing. It’s about using AI to extract your best, ideate what’s next, and create in a voice that actually sells.
6. Content Machines: AI-First Marketing That Prints Money
AI Content Marketing: The $200–$300/hr Skill Nobody Taught You
Ever wondered how some creators seem to be everywhere at once? Podcast, newsletter, app, even a daily motivational email—all with their name, their voice, their brand. But here’s the secret: it’s not always them. Sometimes, it’s not them at all.
Let’s talk about the new “big leagues” of content marketing. If you’re using AI, you can earn $200–$300 per hour. That’s not a typo. This is real, and it’s happening right now.
Arnold’s Pump Club: The AI Empire You Didn’t See Coming
You might know Arnold Schwarzenegger for his movies or his bodybuilding. But did you know he runs a massive podcast, newsletter, and app—without recording a single episode himself? That’s right. He has an agency that manages the whole thing for him from start to finish using AI systems.
Here’s what’s wild: AI handles the entire process. It creates newsletter content, clones Arnold’s voice, and publishes everything automatically. Arnold’s direct involvement? Pretty much zero.
It’s almost like finding out Santa Claus isn’t real. Once you know, you can’t un-know it.
How to Build Your Own AI Content Machine
So, how do you get in on this? Whether you’re a solo operator or running an agency, you can build, automate, and monetize content engines for yourself or clients. Here’s a simple roadmap:
- Define Your Outcome. What’s your end goal? Is it a podcast with 100 episodes? A daily newsletter? Maybe a fitness app, or something even wilder? Get clear on what the finished product looks like.
- Create the Content. This is where AI shines. Use AI tools to draft scripts, generate articles, or even create audio using voice cloning. The tech is so good now, most listeners or readers can’t tell the difference.
- Automate the Pipeline. Set up systems that handle publishing, scheduling, and even responding to comments or emails. You can be hands-off, letting the machine work for you while you focus on strategy or new ideas.
This isn’t just theory. Agencies are already cashing in, building these automated content machines for influencers, brands, and even regular folks who want to scale their message.
Why AI-First Content Engines Are a Goldmine
- Scalability: You can produce more content, faster, and for multiple channels at once.
- Consistency: No more burnout or creative blocks. The machine keeps going, even when you’re asleep.
- Monetization: With the right setup, you can turn a single idea into a podcast, newsletter, app, and more—each with its own revenue stream.
Imagine running a content empire without ever hitting “record.” That’s not just for celebrities. With AI, it’s open to anyone willing to learn the systems and put them to work.
He has an agency that manages the whole thing for him from start to finish using AI systems.
So, if you’re looking for a high-income skill that’s future-proof, AI-first content marketing is it. Define your outcome, build your machine, and let the automation print money while you sleep—or hit the gym, or travel, or just do nothing for a while.
7. Wild Card: When AI Surprises Everyone—Trends No One Saw Coming
Let’s be honest—if you think you know where AI is headed, you’re probably wrong. The most exciting (and sometimes weirdest) shifts are the ones nobody predicts. Right now, kids are getting paid to edit YouTube clips using tools like Firecut or Opus. Imagine that: a 12-year-old earning real money by clipping gaming videos for influencers. It’s not just a side hustle anymore. It’s a legit gig, and it’s changing what “first job” even means.
Unexpected Winners: Grandma’s Viral Cooking Vlog?
If you think only tech-savvy teens are cashing in, think again. The next viral sensation could be your grandma’s cooking vlog. With AI-powered editing, anyone can polish up videos, add captions, and even generate B-roll footage without ever picking up a camera. Suddenly, the barrier to entry is gone. All you need is a story—or a killer cookie recipe.
Photo-Real Avatars: The New Face of Business?
Now, let’s talk about meetings. Ever joined a video call and wondered if the person on the other end is actually… them? AI-generated avatars are here, and they’re shockingly realistic. Companies like Vidyard and Synthesia let you create an avatar that looks and sounds just like you. Some people are growing their TikTok channels without ever stepping in front of a camera. Someone else writes the script, the AI does the talking, and the shorts go viral. Is it creepy? Maybe. Is it efficient? Absolutely.
Wild Professions: What’s Next?
Here’s a fun thought: What’s the next bonkers AI-enabled profession? We’ve already got virtual assistants and AI-powered editors. How about AI stand-up comedians? Or virtual therapists that actually listen? The possibilities are endless—and a little bit wild. If you’re creative, there’s probably an AI tool out there that can help you turn your weirdest idea into a paycheck.
Adaptability: The Only Skill That Matters?
Here’s the kicker: The skills that matter today might be obsolete in a year. Experts are already predicting massive shifts in job skills within the next 12 months. That’s not a typo. Twelve months. If you want to stay ahead, adaptability is your top asset. Learn fast. Experiment. Don’t get too comfortable, because the rug could be pulled out from under you at any moment.
‘The people that actually build solutions and get those deployed, they’re the ones that are going to get paid the big bucks.’
So, what does this all mean for you? It means the AI revolution isn’t just about coders or engineers. It’s about anyone willing to learn, adapt, and maybe even get a little weird. The next high-income skill might not even exist yet. You could be the one to invent it.
The world of AI is moving fast. The only real mistake is standing still. If you’re ready to jump in, experiment, and embrace the unexpected, you’re already ahead of the curve. Who knows? Maybe your grandma’s cooking vlog really will go viral next.
FAQ
- Q: What is an AI power user?
A: An AI power user is someone who leverages AI tools creatively and efficiently to solve problems, automate tasks, or create new opportunities—often in ways traditional education never covered. - Q: How fast are AI-driven job skills changing?
A: Experts predict major shifts in required job skills within just 12 months. Adaptability is crucial. - Q: Can anyone become an AI power user?
A: Yes! With curiosity and a willingness to learn, anyone can start using AI tools to boost their career or side hustle. - Q: What’s the wildest AI-enabled profession you’ve seen?
A: From virtual YouTube editors to AI-generated avatars hosting business calls, the list keeps growing. The next one could be yours!
TL;DR: In a world obsessed with programming and marketing, the biggest paydays are heading straight to those who deeply master AI tools and workflows. Start building AI power skills today and jump ahead of the curve. Real gold isn’t in writing code—it’s knowing how to get AI to work for you, across writing, design, content, and more.
