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AI services boom with 981 million orders in six months as young people turn skills into income
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The AI service economy is exploding. Data from a leading marketplace shows AI service orders reached 981.6 million in the first half of 2026, up 157% year over year. Nearly 500 million people purchased AI services in the same period, a 98% increase.
What people are selling: The most popular category is AI skill services, accounting for 45.1% of all orders. These include AI painting and design, AI comics, AI video, AI voiceovers, AI photo creation, and AI programming. Essentially, people with access to AI tools are taking on creative and development work for clients who need it.
AI coaching and courses: AI tutorials and courses make up 8.1% of orders, covering everything from beginner basics to side hustle monetization. AI templates and workflows account for 6.6%, with some sellers creating custom AI agents and automation systems.
The fastest growing niches: AI programming and website building grew 1,732% year over year. As AI code tools become more accessible, people who have never programmed before are finding work building websites and apps. AI comics grew 1,425%. AI PowerPoint and office tools grew 264%.
Who is selling: Young people dominate the AI service marketplace. People aged 18-35 account for over 60% of sellers. Female sellers make up 62.4%. The average monthly income is 897 yuan. Most sellers treat it as a side hustle, using fragmented time to offer lightweight AI services.
The opportunity: This is not a get-rich-quick story. The real opportunity is that people are turning new AI skills into real side income with almost no upfront investment. The barrier to entry is simply learning how to use the tools and finding buyers.
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Gen Z is building portfolio careers with multiple income streams as side hustles become a lifeline
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A major shift is happening in how young people approach their careers. Instead of relying on a single employer, Gen Z is building "portfolio careers" - combining full-time jobs with freelancing, consulting, content creation, and small businesses.
The numbers tell the story: LinkedIn research found that 75% of Gen Z entrepreneurs have multiple income streams, compared to 62% of Gen X entrepreneurs. India's entrepreneurial activity is rising, with the number of LinkedIn members adding "Founder" to their profiles increasing 104% year over year.
Why this is happening: This generation watched loyal employees get laid off and watched AI make every role look temporary, so they stopped believing that one employer equals security. The motivation is partly financial, but it is also about control and reducing dependence on a single source of income.
Portfolio career vs moonlighting: There is a key difference. Moonlighting generally means taking on another job while remaining employed in a primary role. A portfolio career means someone might work as a product manager during the day, freelance as a designer on weekends, run an online business, create content, or advise startups - all as part of the same professional identity.
Income stacking: A second job means selling more of your hours. Income stacking is about building streams that earn without them. The typical stack mixes a salary with freelance work, some content or a digital product, and increasingly capital income.
Gen Z preferences: A 2025 survey found that only 16% of Gen Z respondents preferred a single traditional full-time job, while 43% preferred combining a full-time job with a side hustle. Around 38% planned to stay in their current jobs for less than a year.
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Digital nomads shift to slowmading: Long-term cities and portfolio careers reshape remote work in 2026
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The digital nomad lifestyle is evolving. Instead of constantly hopping between destinations, more remote workers are choosing to stay in one city for longer periods - a trend called "slowmading." An estimated 18.5 million Americans now identify as digital nomads, a 153% increase since 2019.
What is changing: The criteria for choosing a city have evolved from tourism appeal to long-term livability. Nomads are now looking for business opportunities, quality of life, stability, and professional networking. Cities like Lisbon, Medellín, and Austin are gaining popularity as they offer strong infrastructure, growing tech ecosystems, and favorable conditions for long-term settlement.
The location as strategy approach: Professionals are no longer building their lives around an office address. They are asking first where their lives function best, then fitting work around that. A professional might spend part of the year in a lower-cost country to reduce expenses, then relocate to a major city for access and networking.
The economics: Roughly half of digital nomads report household incomes above $75,000, suggesting many bring external income into local economies rather than relying on them. The combination of stable outside income and lower local costs creates financial flexibility that traditional employment structures rarely allow.
Digital nomad visas: More than 50 countries now offer digital nomad visas. Estonia introduced one of the first dedicated programs for digital infrastructure. Portugal's D8 visa has attracted remote workers from around the world, positioning Lisbon as one of the most established nomad ecosystems.
The downside: In cities where nomad populations have grown rapidly, housing costs have followed. Lisbon is among the destinations where arriving remote workers - many earning salaries well above local wages - have contributed to pressure on housing supply.
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Analog side hustles are making a comeback as Gen Z seeks work beyond screens
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Not all side hustles require a screen. While digital opportunities are booming, a surprising trend is emerging: young people are turning to "analog" side hustles - hands-on work they can do offline. With 57% of Gen Z having a side gig, many are finding income in physical work.
Subscription art and mail services: Some Gen Zers have launched subscription-based mail services, sending personal letters, art, or zines to thousands of subscribers per month. The global arts and crafts market is over $23 billion as of 2025.
Mobile car detailing: If you enjoy manual labor or cars, mobile car detailing is a side gig you can launch from home. You can start locally by notifying friends and family. The average price for interior detailing starts at $100.
Pet sitting: With 95 million homes owning pets and the industry hitting $165 billion in sales in 2026, pet sitting offers real opportunity. While apps take a steep cut from earnings, launching your own pet-sitting business through word of mouth can be more profitable.
Resale curation: Thrift flipping is a traditional side hustle idea. The secondhand clothing industry is expected to reach almost $400 billion by 2030. Young people can turn random flipping on its head by focusing on curating certain clothing items like vintage denim, concert shirts, or affordable capsule outfits.
Study coaching: If you are skilled in math, writing, music, or test prep, you can monetize those skills locally. Tutors earn an average of $20 per hour. Beyond subject tutoring, young people can help students learn how to study, organize assignments, and prepare for tests.
The takeaway: Earning more in 2026 is not always about going viral. Even analog side gigs can be a worthwhile opportunity in the right setting.
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That's it for today. See you tomorrow.
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Ternautics Media
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