Artificial Intelligence has taken our business world, including that of freelancers and the self-employed, by storm. But does it also benefit us in our day-to-day work? In the following article we will explore which AI tools are absolute “game changers” for freelancers.
- Development of AI
- Role of AI in freelancing
- Top AI tools for freelancers
- AI applications for freelancers
- New chances and challenges with AI
- Conclusion
Development of AI
What was once only seen in science fiction films is now a reality – AI is mainstream. There are a whole range of AI-supported tools on the market that relieve a lot of work, especially for self-employed people and freelancers.
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According to a report published by PwC, AI could contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy in 2030. Freelancers and self-employed people cannot avoid using artificial intelligence if they want to compete on the free project market.
Role of AI in freelancing
With the rapid evolution of technology, new job titles are emerging every day—and AI specialists are just one example. As Artificial Intelligence continues to transform industries, a range of new freelance opportunities is also unfolding.
While some may worry that AI could take away jobs, the truth is that AI is opening doors to innovative freelance careers that didn’t exist a few years ago.
Instead of replacing jobs, AI is revolutionizing the freelance market and creating new roles for freelancers, helping them tap into industries that are actively evolving. Whether it’s working with AI-driven tools, developing machine learning models, or managing AI-powered systems, the freelance market is expanding in exciting new directions.
AI doesn’t just help freelancers increase productivity—it offers them the chance to specialize in cutting-edge fields that are growing fast. Let’s dive into how AI is shaping the future of freelancing, creating fresh job opportunities and empowering freelancers to stay ahead of the curve.
Some new professional roles are:
- AI consultant
- AI analyst
- AI trainer
- AI Ethics specialist
Freelancers need to be watching for the opportunities and consistently pivoting their
business to get a level up from the work that AI is doing, so that they can work alongside AI and
not be replaced by it.
Which AI tools are the best for freelancers?
The best AI tools for graphic artists and designers
#1 Uizard
This AI tool for freelancers helps transform hand-drawn ideas into practical, digital design files. The platform offers app developers and designers an efficient way to express their creativity.
Uizard can speed up the prototyping process while maintaining the personal touch of hand-drawn designs. By digitizing sketches, freelancers can quickly and easily transfer their creative concepts from sketchbook to digital screen.
This platform is a powerful resource that helps graphic designers bring their ideas to life. Uizard can initially be tested for free. For a paid version, Uizard offers various pricing plans that can be paid on a monthly or annual basis. Prices start at $19 per month.
#2 Luminar Neo
Luminar Neo is an AI-driven editing software that optimises photos and can be used by both newbies and experts. Among other things, the tool can be used to retouch images, remove objects and backgrounds or adjust the exposure. The AI features focus, for example, on faces, highlights, color harmonies or the mood of the image.
Luminar Neo can be used either as standalone software or directly from common image editing programs. The full version can be used free of charge for 7 days. Full use costs around $11 per month.
#3 Dall E
Like ChatGPT, Dall-E belongs to OpenAI and creates completely new images in different styles based on text descriptions. Freelancers can use it to create new graphics and revise existing ones. Logos can also be generated with it. A pretty exciting tool for graphic designers and creative people.
With Dall-E, 15 so-called “credits” are released every month. This means that 15 AI-generated ones are free per month. If more are desired, a total of 115 credits can be purchased for around 14 euros per month.
#4 Mid-journey
The text-to-image generator can use artificial intelligence to generate images that are controlled by a chat bot. The pictures look deceptively real. The best example of this is the photographer Boris Eldagsen.
In 2023, he won first place in the “Creative” category at the Sony World Photography competition with a photo created with Midjourney . He created the award-winning image that he submitted as a photo using AI. In order to use Midjourney, the first thing you need is a Discord account. This is a type of chat tool and is completely free. To take advantage of all of Midjourney’s features, freelancers should expect to pay $10 to $120 per month.
The best AI tools for copywriters and social media managers
#1 ChatGPT
First up is the program that got the AI hype rolling in the first place, ChatGPT. Everyone now knows the chatbot that generates human-like texts or solves complex tasks. It is currently one of the largest AI models available in the world.
In fact, according to our 2023 report, 89% of freelancers primarily use ChatGPT for their work.
It can be used in various areas, such as brainstorming ideas, writing a variety of texts, answering (customer) questions, translating texts and even programming codes. The use of the chatbot is free of charge. With ChatGPT Plus, OpenAI promises faster and reliable access to the chatbot for around $20 per month.
#2 Jasper.ai
Jasper is currently one of the best text generators for the marketing sector, specialising in more than 50 copywriting skills. Including blog post outline, blog post intro, product descriptions, emails, Google and Facebook ads, Facebook ad headlines, as well as social media posts and YouTube video descriptions.
Jasper.ai is the easiest way to automatically write high-quality texts. The perfect tool to help copywriters or social media managers. Jasper can be used free of charge to a limited extent. So that all functions can be used without restrictions, you should expect a price between $39 and $99 dollars.
#3 Copysmith
Copysmith helps you create compelling copy that uses advanced GPT-3 Artificial Intelligence to generate incredible quality content.
Many self-employed people spend far too much time on this, which is not paid for. Copysmith offers a wonderful opportunity to automatically create content using AI.
Copysmith has 2 plans that are either $19 a month or $49 a month.
The best AI tools for programmers
#1 GitHub Copilot
An AI tool that software developers should keep in mind is GitHub Copilot. Just like with Neuroflash or Jasper.ai, GitHub Copilot helps improve your software development workflow. In addition, it can not only create new codes, but also revise existing ones.
However, it should only be used by more experienced software developers in order not to lose valuable practice time. The GitHub Copilot subscription is available on a monthly or annual billing cycle. The monthly subscription is $10 per month.
#2 TensorFlow
Machine learning is very complex. To simplify the implementation of this, there are now essential resources. This includes Google’s TensorFlow framework. TensorFlow is an open source numerical computing and machine learning library that is compatible with the Python programming language.
This platform simplifies the process of collecting data and training machine learning models. Freelancers can use it to create deep neural networks for handwritten number classification, image recognition, lexical plinking, recursive neural networks, and much more.
#3 DeepL
The translation tool that translates (almost) like native speakers. It is said to be even better at translating than Google and is currently available in 31 languages. If desired, entire files such as PDF, Word or PowerPoint can even be translated at once.
DeepL is perfect for freelancers who also work for clients abroad and therefore not only have to translate documents, but also communicate in a foreign language. In principle, DeepL can be used free of charge for private and business purposes. However, if data protection is important when entering the texts, we recommend using the Pro version for $8.74 per month.
#4 Durable.ai
Durable.ai is a website builder that self-employed people can use to build their own website super quickly and easily. The powerful AI tool is perfect for starting and growing freelancing. The whole thing is free of charge for 90 days. After the trial ends, prices start at $12 per month.
AI Applications for freelancers
Time management with AI
For many freelancers, routine tasks can be time-consuming and often feel like a distraction from their core work. Fortunately, AI tools are helping to streamline and automate these tasks, freeing up valuable time that freelancers can use more effectively.
According to our recent survey, 77% of freelancers are already using AI-powered tools to handle tasks such as content creation, coding, client communication, invoicing, email management, or research.
Already in our 2023 study, 66% of freelancers who used AI tools report a noticeable improvement in their productivity and efficiency. This boost in efficiency directly contributes to better time management, allowing freelancers to focus on what matters most—delivering high-quality work to their clients.
Project management with AI
AI is changing the way freelancers are managing and approaching projects. By automating tasks associated with project management, AI is allowing freelancers to focus on the development and training of new skills or on achieving a new work-life balance.
AI can help freelancers manage their time more effectively by providing scheduling tools, reminders, and even automating time-tracking. Freelancers often juggle multiple clients or projects, and AI can simplify these processes to ensure they don’t waste time on administrative tasks.
Personalization
AI tools can help freelancers create a more personalized experience for their clients. With the ability to analyze client data and behavior, AI can help tailor services and offers that align better with individual client needs, improving the likelihood of retaining customers and gaining repeat business.
Improved decision making backed up with Data
Freelancers can leverage AI to sift through massive amounts of data and identify trends that could otherwise go unnoticed. This could be in marketing, customer feedback, or even financials. The key here is that AI can help freelancers make more informed, data-driven decisions about their business strategies.
More creativity
AI tools are not just for automation—they can help unlock new levels of creativity and innovation for freelancers. Whether it’s a graphic designer using AI to generate fresh design concepts or a writer using AI-powered tools for brainstorming, these technologies can serve as creative partners, pushing freelancers to explore new possibilities they might not have thought of otherwise.
New chances, but also challenges come with AI
While AI brings a host of exciting new opportunities for freelancers, it also presents challenges and concerns that can’t be ignored. Not everyone is on board with AI, especially when it comes to its potential impact on the freelancing landscape.
Beyond the concern of being replaced, 56% of freelancers (according to a 2023 Freelancermap survey) view AI errors as one of the biggest risks. While AI has made incredible strides in accuracy, it’s still not perfect. Mistakes made by AI systems—whether in data analysis, content generation, or decision-making—can lead to major setbacks, particularly when freelancers are relying on AI for critical tasks.
In addition, 40% of freelancers express concerns about security risks related to AI. This includes worries about data privacy, as many AI tools require access to sensitive personal or business information. Given the increasing number of cyberattacks and data breaches, freelancers must be vigilant about the AI tools they use and the security measures in place to protect their data.
Some other risks highlighted by freelancers were the bias in AI systems and the unpredictability (37% of freelancers).
Conclusion
Artificial intelligence not only changes work, but also the life of everyone who comes into contact with it. AI tools such as ChatGPT or Jasper.ai are therefore only the beginning of modern AI.
Freelancers and self-employed people also have to get used to the use of AI and work with it in the long term in order to be able to keep up with the free project market.
While AI offers tremendous potential, freelancers must be aware of these risks and approach the integration of AI tools with caution. As the technology evolves, so too will the challenges and opportunities it brings. The key is finding the right balance between leveraging AI’s benefits and mitigating its risks to ensure a sustainable, successful freelancing career.
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