Indian-Origin Professional Earns $200 Hourly in Lucrative AI Training Side Hustle

A UK-based Indian-origin man is earning a staggering $200 per hour training advanced AI models. Utkarsh Amitabh, 34, balances this high-paying side gig with roles as an author, lecturer, PhD student, and CEO. His story highlights the lucrative opportunities emerging in the artificial intelligence sector.

According to a CNBC report, Amitabh was not job-hunting when he was approached by a data-labeling startup. His intellectual curiosity drew him to the opportunity. He has since earned close to $300,000 in less than a year.

The Flexible Path to a High-Income AI Role

Amitabh’s background made him a perfect fit for the work. He holds a master’s in moral philosophy and spent over six years at Microsoft on AI partnerships. His expertise in business strategy and tech is directly applicable to training sophisticated AI systems.

The job offers extreme flexibility, which was crucial for his busy life. He works an average of 3.5 hours nightly after his young daughter sleeps. This schedule allows him to continue his PhD at Oxford and run his global mentorship platform.

Perspective on AI’s Impact and the Future of Work

Amitabh acknowledges widespread anxiety about AI replacing human jobs. However, he cites World Economic Forum projections showing AI will also create millions of new roles by 2030. He views the relationship as collaborative rather than competitive.

He believes human expertise will evolve alongside machine intelligence. The current moment could empower people to upskill and reframe their professional value. For him, the work’s intellectual challenge was the primary draw, with fair compensation being a core value.

The rapid growth of artificial intelligence is creating new, high-value niches in the economy. Stories like this underscore how specialized knowledge can translate into exceptional compensation in the AI training jobs market, blending deep expertise with unprecedented flexibility.

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What does an AI trainer do?

AI trainers evaluate, fine-tune, and provide expert feedback to large language models. They help the AI improve its responses, reasoning, and accuracy in specific domains like business strategy or technical analysis.

What background is needed for AI training work?

Success often requires deep subject-matter expertise, such as in tech, finance, or law. Strong analytical skills and experience with complex problem-solving are typically more critical than a specific degree.

Are AI training jobs widely available?

Such high-paying freelance roles are currently niche and highly selective. Companies typically seek experts with proven industry experience and advanced credentials to train cutting-edge models.

Can this work be done remotely?

Yes, most AI training and evaluation work is conducted remotely on a flexible, contract basis. This allows professionals worldwide to contribute according to their own schedules.

Does AI training contribute to job loss?

While AI automates some tasks, it also creates new job categories like AI training, oversight, and integration. Experts argue the technology will transform the workforce rather than simply eliminate it.