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Can you really make money with AI?

Real paid AI work exists. The promise of easy passive income from AI tools is the part the FTC has taken to court.

✓ Checked 5 Nov 2026 · Next check 5 Feb 2027
A hand holding a phone open on an AI chat app

What the FTC alleged

In September 2024 the FTC announced cases against schemes that used AI as the selling point. These are the FTC’s allegations.

Ascend EcomPay slip
$25M
at least, taken from consumers
✓ Checked 5 Nov 2026
FBA MachinePay slip
$15.9M
cost to consumers, at least
✓ Checked 5 Nov 2026
Empire BuildersPay slip
$35,000
as much as, from people buying stores
✓ Checked 5 Nov 2026

What the promises sounded like

  1. ‘Cutting edge’ AI toolsAscend Ecom falsely claimed its tools would help people quickly earn thousands of dollars a month in passive income, the FTC said.
  2. Guaranteed incomeFBA Machine falsely promised guaranteed income through online stores using AI-powered software, the FTC said.
  3. An ‘AI-powered Ecommerce Empire’Ecommerce Empire Builders said people could potentially make millions of dollars, the FTC said.

What happened next

In June 2025 the FTC announced a proposed order that would permanently ban Ascend Ecom’s operators from selling business opportunities, with a $25 million judgment that is partly suspended.

What is really paid

Companies do pay people to rate and write AI answers, and that is paid work, not passive income. See our AI training jobs page, and the rules on AI art.

“The FTC’s enforcement actions make clear that there is no AI exemption from the laws on the books.”Lina M. Khan, FTC Chair, September 2024

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