Mum earns thousands selling her body to AI, no regrets

DDM News

A British mother on maternity leave has earned thousands of pounds by selling her voice to artificial intelligence (AI) companies and working several other online side hustles.

Laura Shahu, 29, from Surrey, has taken an innovative route to generate income while caring for her children.

The mum-of-two has already made over £15,000 from multiple gigs that she undertakes during her maternity break.

Her experience highlights the growing demand for human data in the ever-expanding world of artificial intelligence.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that Laura’s success story is one of many emerging from the UK, as people increasingly explore the digital economy for alternative income sources.

Despite working as a qualified accountant, Laura has taken advantage of flexible online opportunities, using her time away from her regular job to earn extra money.

In just one month, she made a remarkable £4,609 from her side jobs alone.

One of her most unique income streams involves recording her voice for AI companies.

These recordings help train virtual assistants and other AI-powered tools to understand and mimic human speech.

Laura said she was asked to record phrases commonly used with virtual assistants, such as commands or general questions.

She revealed that she has no strong concerns about how her voice might eventually be used.

“I do not have reservations, as a voice is inherently harder to identify to a particular person than a photo or video,” she explained.

Although she is not always told exactly how her voice will be used, she feels confident that the data is used in legitimate ways.

Laura believes that her voice recordings are intended for standard functions such as improving phone assistants or customer service bots.

Even though the use of AI has raised ethical concerns globally, Laura remains unbothered by potential negative implications.

She typically works with agencies that connect her with AI firms, and she claims these companies are carefully vetted.

“I typically work with reputable agencies,” she added.

“I’m comfortable with the data I provide, my voice, because I know it won’t be used in seedy or inappropriate situations.”

Laura has refused to disclose the exact amount she earned from the voice recordings but hinted that the earnings reached into the hundreds.

She said the work took her just three to four hours to complete.

In addition to voice work, Laura also coaches AI chatbots.

Her job involves grading chatbot responses and evaluating how accurate and natural they sound.

She explained that this side gig pays well, especially given her qualifications in accounting.

“I am a qualified accountant, and therefore they also pay extra for me to train AI in maths and accounting,” Laura said.

She described the pay range for AI training jobs as being between £12 to £47.50 an hour.

The rate depends on the complexity of the task and the professional background of the person completing it.

According to her, generalists with basic skills earn at the lower end, while professionals like herself earn more.

Laura hinted she might even consider allowing AI to use her face, depending on how it would be applied.

“I’d consider it, but it would probably depend on what the AI wanted to do with my face,” she stated.

“It’s an interesting idea though,” she added.

The growing AI industry has opened up new opportunities for people willing to share their voices, images, and expertise.

However, experts continue to warn about the potential risks and lack of clear regulation in the AI sector.

Despite this, Laura says she feels secure because of the agencies she works through.

She remains focused on balancing motherhood with financial productivity.

Even when she returns to full-time work, she plans to continue with her side hustles.

She believes they offer not only flexibility but also a valuable source of additional income.

Laura advises others who are interested in AI gigs to do proper research before diving in.

She cautioned, “Diversify your portfolio. The more side hustles you try, the easier it will be to figure out which ones work for you.”

She encouraged people to be open-minded and willing to try lesser-known options.

She emphasized that many of the most rewarding side hustles are not the popular ones.

Laura’s experience is part of a larger shift where individuals are monetising their skills and data in new ways.

AI companies continue to look for people to provide authentic human input, such as speech and expert knowledge.

For Laura, this represents an opportunity to stay financially active while spending time with her family.

Her story reflects the rise of digital freelancing and the new economy of micro-tasks.

It also underscores how traditional skills, like accounting, can find relevance in the age of artificial intelligence.

More professionals are now exploring these digital side gigs to enhance their earnings or transition to more flexible lifestyles.

Laura’s story is a model for adaptability in the digital era.

She has shown that with the right approach, it is possible to profit from new technological trends without compromising on family time.

Her success serves as an example for others seeking to navigate the intersection of technology, work, and personal life.

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook