A 20-year-old cybersecurity student in Melbourne is capitalizing on the growing demand for artificial intelligence expertise by teaching Australians how to use tools like ChatGPT to manage household budgets and analyze spending. Ansh Punia, who previously worked in a warehouse while studying, now earns up to $15,000 a month as an AI consultant.
"The value isn't in using AI for the sake of it. It's in solving a problem that was previously costing time or money," Punia told the Daily Mail. He explained that clients are increasingly using AI to categorize expenses, identify forgotten subscriptions, and develop personalized fitness and budgeting plans.
Punia found opportunities on Airtasker, a digital marketplace where users post jobs. He started with smaller technical tasks, building trust with clients, which evolved into ongoing consulting work for those with larger requirements. OpenAI's Sam Altman reported that ChatGPT now attracts one billion weekly users globally and 2.5 million businesses, underscoring its transition into a mainstream consumer product.
Tim Fung, founder of Airtasker, noted that demand for AI coaches on the platform has nearly doubled in the past year, with users typically paying between $100 and $150 for guidance on integrating AI into their lives. "More people want to use AI in their lives to streamline tasks that they do every day, and also save money at the same time," Fung said.
Punia advises individuals curious about AI to start with the free version of ChatGPT and focus on solving a single, persistent everyday problem. He suggests that users can benefit without needing programming knowledge by learning to ask the right questions. Common applications include meal planning, creating shopping lists, understanding bills, and organizing schedules.
For families looking to manage household expenses, Punia highlighted AI's potential to help create meal plans, generate shopping lists, and find budget-friendly alternatives to costly habits like frequent takeaway orders. "Even small changes can add up over a year," he said, noting that AI can also assist in comparing expenses, deciphering bills, and identifying recurring subscriptions.
Punia emphasized that AI is not exclusively for tech-savvy individuals and can be approached by simply conversing with the tool. However, he cautioned against expecting AI to operate autonomously, particularly in sensitive areas like finance or healthcare, where human oversight and verification are crucial. The trend emerges as Australians continue to grapple with significant cost-of-living pressures, with inflation at 4.3 percent and interest rates at their highest level since the 2008 global financial crisis.