Survey data suggests freelancers using artificial intelligence are accelerating business growth and reshaping competition in the rapidly expanding side-hustle economy.
Artificial intelligence is beginning to alter the mechanics of small-scale entrepreneurship. A new Use.AI survey of 3,875 freelancers and part-time entrepreneurs across the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia suggests that many independent workers now rely on AI tools to perform tasks that once required teams, consultants, or significantly more time.
According to the survey, 55% of respondents say AI has increased their confidence to launch new business ideas or expand existing projects. At the same time, 48% report that AI allows them to complete core business tasks faster, including market research, marketing content, and early financial planning.
For freelancers and solo operators, the technology is increasingly used as a practical decision-making aid. Users report turning to AI systems to test product ideas, outline marketing strategies, analyze potential pricing models, and draft client proposals. In effect, the tools are enabling individuals to replicate functions that traditionally required multiple roles within a small company.
The survey suggests that this shift is beginning to reshape the competitive landscape among independent workers. 29% of respondents say AI has already helped them pursue business opportunities they would not have attempted otherwise, while 41% report taking on a higher volume of projects after adopting AI tools. The technology is often used to speed up early-stage experimentation, allowing freelancers to test ideas and refine strategies with fewer upfront costs.
Adoption patterns vary across age groups. Respondents aged 25-34 are the most likely to use AI for strategic planning, including evaluating new revenue streams or expanding services. By contrast, freelancers aged 45-54 more frequently report using AI for operational efficiency, such as managing schedules, drafting documents, or organizing client communication.
At the same time, the data suggests that the advantages created by AI adoption are not evenly distributed. 22% of respondents say reliance on AI tools sometimes makes them question their own decision-making, while 15% believe the technology is widening inequalities among freelancers who differ in digital skills, access to tools, or familiarity with emerging platforms.
The findings reflect a broader shift in the structure of independent work. As AI systems take on a growing share of analytical and creative tasks, the barrier to launching or scaling a small business may continue to fall. But the survey also indicates that those who adopt the technology earlier and learn to use it effectively may gain a structural advantage in an increasingly crowded freelance economy.
Taken together, the results point to a subtle but significant transformation. Artificial intelligence is not simply speeding up administrative work for freelancers; it is changing how independent workers evaluate opportunities, test ideas, and compete in the marketplace. For many side hustlers, AI is becoming less a productivity tool and more a new baseline for participation in the modern entrepreneurial economy.
About Use.AI:
Use.AI is a universal AI assistant designed to provide instant access to the world’s most advanced large language models, including ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, DeepSeek, and others, all within a single interface. It supports personal, professional, and creative problem-solving through a clean, minimalist design with voice, image, and file input, enabling users to delegate cognitive tasks, plan, learn, and communicate more effectively. Founded in 2025, Use.AI aims to make AI-powered assistance accessible and practical for everyday life.
Use.AI is a universal AI assistant designed to provide instant access to the world’s most advanced large language models, including ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, DeepSeek, and others, all within a single interface. It supports personal, professional, and creative problem-solving through a clean, minimalist design with voice, image, and file input, enabling users to delegate cognitive tasks, plan, learn, and communicate more effectively. Founded in 2025, Use.AI aims to make AI-powered assistance accessible and practical for everyday life.