5 (Real) AI Agent Business Ideas For 2025
Author / channel: Simon Høiberg Format: video Source: Original Published: 2025-03-24
Summary
Simon Høiberg lays out five concrete monetization paths for AI builders in 2025: selling n8n workflows, knowledge-based RAG chatbots, custom LoRA models, vibe-coded prototypes, and AI automation agencies. The framing is realistic and rejects the “vibe everything” hype — vibing is a prototyping phase, not a methodology. Pairs with Nate Herk’s automation playbook and the saas-death-spiral thesis.
Key Points
- Sell n8n workflows — two models: (a) export the JSON workflow file as a one-time-purchase template; (b) expose the workflow via authenticated webhook so buyers call it as an API on a per-call/subscription basis (resources stay on your account, so price accordingly).
- Knowledge-based RAG chatbots — package an expert’s knowledge as a paywalled chatbot (Høiberg pitches his own 8base product). Critical anti-pattern: never put a knowledge base in a custom GPT system prompt — easily extracted via prompt injection.
- Custom LoRA models — fine-tune Flux, Stable Diffusion, or DeepSeek for specialized output (e.g., HDRIs for Blender, high-CTR YouTube thumbnails). Deploy on Replicate, sell API access via direct key or proxy.
- Vibe coding as prototyping — pixels.io’s Peter Levels game and Vibe Sail referenced as proof of monetizable indie hacks. Høiberg explicitly rejects “vibe everything” as a methodology — use it to test waters, then switch to intentional execution.
- AI automation agency — done-for-you implementation for businesses that won’t buy templates. Liam Ottley cited as the existence proof that this category is now real.
Connected Pages
- ai-automation-workflows — companion playbook from Nate Herk; Høiberg’s piece is the monetization-side counterpart
- n8n — core platform underlying ideas 1 and 5
- saas-death-spiral — the macro context for why selling “AI for the gap” is now a business
- Simon Høiberg — author hub