Zaine, a 21-year-old delivery driver from Leicester, has been spending thousands on nights out, new clothes, and a car, leading his friends to suspect he is a drug dealer. In reality, his income comes from an AI-powered side hustle that earns £30,000 per month.
Managing AI influencer Inaya
Zaine spends as little as 45 minutes each evening managing an AI-generated influencer named Inaya, who generates income around the clock. He says this side hustle has completely transformed his life, though he has kept it a secret from his friends.
“I’m now always the first one at the bar, buying rounds for my mates. I’ve even offered to treat them to a lads holiday at the end of the summer. But I am fed up with the accusations of being a drug dealer - I’ve kept the AI influencer a secret because it all sounds a bit far-fetched. My mates couldn't work out how I was suddenly making so much money - and they’ve all noticed the designer clothes,” Zaine said.
AI influencer economy boom
Zaine is part of a growing wave of digital entrepreneurs using AI to build influencers that generate income without expensive cameras, studios, travel, or even a real person in front of the lens. The AI influencer economy is changing who can make money online, offering a lower-cost alternative to traditional influencers.
Zaine builds and manages Inaya using Prism, a content generation platform where thousands of creators are building AI influencers. He learned the platform through Prism’s online course, which teaches how to build AI-generated model businesses.
Side hustle trend among young Brits
Unlike becoming an influencer himself, Zaine says building an AI creator removed many barriers. “I don't need expensive equipment, I don't need to travel and I don't need to put myself online. I can manage everything behind the scenes while still working my day job.”
His story reflects a wider trend: around 66% of Gen Z and 62% of Millennials now have an active side hustle, compared with just 23% of Baby Boomers, as rising living costs push more people to explore online earning methods. Platforms like Prism are making it easier for everyday people to build and monetise AI influencers, opening up the creator economy to a broader audience.
