How AI is Helping Freelancers

The debate continues to rage regarding the impact of artificial intelligence tools in the world of freelance work. Could AI really take jobs from freelance workers? Or will AI systems make jobs easier?

The truth is, AI implementation looks like it will help freelancers in a wide variety of ways. From streamlining the way we work to growing our opportunities, AI might be the best thing to ever happen to independent labour.

While both sides of the debate have merit, ultimately, AI is already here and helping us. And you can implement AI into your own freelance workflow to improve your overall success.

The AI Debate

First, let’s look at the debate around AI in freelance and why it’s meaningful.

Many have argued that AI is a destructive force when it comes to labour. Keeping one’s job is, after all, more difficult when you are competing with machine precision and speed. For many fields, the presence of AI in software algorithms and robotics processing automation (RPA) is something to be feared.

For freelance labourers, too, the presence of AI raises some job security questions. With all kinds of self-service functions possible through AI, there’s no doubt that some tasks in your repertoire will become largely automated. Marketing, accounting, graphic design, and even teaching are being transformed on some level by the uses of AI.

For example, AI technology is used by educators to check for plagiarism, find information, and enhance the quality of research papers. This is possible through the semantic language functions of modern AI and machine learning processes, giving assistive technology all-new levels of natural language processing (NLP).

But the reality is that most freelance positions will be aided rather than replaced by AI systems and automated processes. Common fields for freelance work like marketing and accounting will always require a human touch to communicate insights and engage with people. The growth in the gig economy of late proves that.

In fact, reports indicate that automation will only grow the number of freelance workers on the market and their opportunities to connect with new clients. This is all occurring because of the many benefits that AI tools bring to the freelance workforce.

The Benefits of AI in Freelance Work

AI, defined as any computational process that acts and learns in its environment without being programmed explicitly to do so, makes for all kinds of intuitive solutions. Across industries, countries, and cultures, AI is stepping in to build a more streamlined global business world in which freelancer workers can thrive.

With the host of benefits at your disposal, any freelance worker should explore what AI offers them. Here are only a few of the positives that AI can bring to the way you work:

AI helps you with the tedious stuff

The range of tasks AI can help you with is astounding. From assistive technologies that actively improve the lives of their users every day to the little helpful software functions we all use all the time, AI runs through a host of tools.

These data-powered systems take the form of software or “embodied” hosts like automated vehicles. For freelancers, this means you can automate tasks like:

• Data entry
• Invoice creation
• Timekeeping
• Scheduling
• … and so much more.

With the right tools, you can streamline the majority of your administrative or tedious proofing work to spend more time on what often matters most: client relationships.

AI prevents burnout

With 23% of workers reporting they feel burnt out more often than not, the modern workforce has a lot of work to do when it comes to improving employee well-being. AI offers solutions.

By allowing freelance workers to size their projects more effectively and schedule themselves accordingly, AI makes it possible to avoid burnout in many circumstances. Much of freelance work revolves around gauging time to commissions for profitability. Inaccurate estimations lead to overwork. But predictive algorithmic functions mean more accurate estimations of time and labour that can take care of essential time-tracking tasks for you.

Platforms like Forecast, for instance, offer auto-scheduling that builds comprehensive project plans using intelligent data analysis. From there, all you have to do is focus on the job.

AI connects opportunities

One of the most game-changing aspects of AI for freelancers is that it also enables companies and workers to connect in much more transparent and seamless fashions. AI connects opportunities, helping mitigate the high price tag that comes with acquiring new talent for companies.

This has already proven to be the case where AI has been applied to recruitment platforms and resume matching. Freelance sites like Fiverr and Upwork use intelligent algorithms to match people with projects, while applicant tracking systems (ATSs) use semantic functions to parse resumes and match best fits.

All told, AI creates an environment in which freelancers can find and be found by compatible companies looking to hire independent contractors.

Because of these benefits and more, AI should be seen not as a threat but as a vital tool that you can apply to your career goals. By saving you time, helping you manage a healthy work-life balance, and connecting you with new opportunities, AI allows you to build a competitive advantage that draws in clients and streamlines your productivity. Examine your tech stack and search for ways you can integrate AI to win freelance work in the modern age to take advantage of these benefits.

Incorporating AI into Your Workflow

From the planning stage to your inevitable success, AI is here to enhance your workflow. To integrate these technological solutions into your process, however, it’s necessary to examine how you conduct your independent work and be open to learning new skills. If you’re a freelancer, though, adapting and learning come with the territory.

Start by examining the ways you plan your project. Then, you can begin adopting AI into a more successful independent career with the following considerations and tools:

Planning

There are all kinds of AI tools you can build directly into the planning stages, enabling you to streamline the process of time management and task scheduling for your freelance work. Look for platforms and services that allow you to maximize your productivity for your specific business model. For example, Futurenda plans things out for you, dividing tasks into sections and setting a dynamic agenda for your work process.

Communicating

Your AI processes are only as good as they are actionable. If you’re using an AI algorithm to generate insights and prescribe client solutions, you’ll need to be able to effectively communicate why you’re doing what you’re doing and how it helps the clients. AI helps you achieve this by automating the creation of visuals and displaying data in an easily understood fashion. HiPilot is one such AI tool that plots patterns and data connections in graphical representations.

Succeeding

Finally, AI makes it possible for freelancers to succeed much more easily than ever before. This is due to the efficiency that artificial intelligence provides from the planning stage forward, ultimately helping you find more freelance clients with the right applications. You might start with who you know, but with AI-powered platforms like Upwork, you can easily be connected with more projects, companies, and opportunities that make your career lucrative.

Winning as a Freelancer

You too can win as a freelancer with the proper implementation of AI across your work processes. Since AI takes much of the tedium and difficult networking connections off your shoulders, you’ll have more time left to provide exceptional client experiences. As a result, you’ll boost your reputation.

Use this article to help you implement AI effectively into your freelance work, then reap the rewards. A more fulfilling and financially viable future awaits.