“AI will make affiliate marketing irrelevant.”

Our new research shows the opposite.

Levanta surveyed 1,000 US consumers to understand how AI is influencing the buying journey. The findings reveal a clear pattern: shoppers use AI tools to explore options, but they continue to rely on human-driven content before making a purchase.

Here is what the data shows:

Download the full report to see what this shift means for brands navigating the AI era.

by HUGH LEE JOHNSON | VENTURE AI ART Newsletter

Listen up, fellow AI art enthusiasts. Google just dropped something that made me spit out my coffee—and I don't waste good coffee.

Nano Banana Pro (built on Gemini 3 Pro) is Google's new state-of-the-art image generation and editing model that's about to flip the AI art game upside down. And if you're not paying attention right now, you'll be kicking yourself in six months when everyone else is cashing checks while you're still asking, "What happened?"

Let's break down why this tool deserves a spot in your money-making toolkit.

Here's where things get spicy. Nano Banana Pro helps you visualize any idea and design anything—from prototypes to infographics to turning handwritten notes into diagrams.

But wait, there's more (and I promise I'm not selling you a kitchen gadget):

Key Features That Matter for Your Wallet:

Here's the beautiful part—Nano Banana Pro is available globally in the Gemini app on desktop or via the mobile app.

Free Access Points:

Pro-Level Access:

Let me paint you a picture of your 2026 side hustle:

1. Local Business Services Small businesses desperately need professional graphics but can't afford design agencies. With Nano Banana Pro's text rendering and brand consistency features, you can create:

2. Print-on-Demand Products Nano Banana Pro excels in visual design, world knowledge, and text generation. Combine this with platforms like Printify (printify.com) or Printful (printful.com) to create:

3. Digital Product Empire Use the infographic capabilities to create:

4. Content Creation Services "Help me visualize" in Slides now uses Nano Banana Pro to help anyone create stunning infographics, images, and slides. Offer:

Day 1-2: Create a free Gemini account and experiment with 20+ prompts. Learn what it does well (text, infographics, product mockups).

Day 3-4: Pick ONE service you'll offer. Not five. One.

Day 5-6: Create three sample pieces for your portfolio using free tools like Canva (canva.com) to polish your Nano Banana Pro outputs.

Day 7: Post your services on one platform—Fiverr, your local Facebook group, or LinkedIn.

Here's the truth nobody wants to hear: Nano Banana Pro is becoming an essential infrastructure layer for the creative economy, powering the design platforms that creatives rely on. Major players like Adobe, Figma, and Canva are already integrating it.

This means in 12-18 months, everyone will be using these tools. Right now? Most people are still figuring out what "Nano Banana" even means. (Spoiler: It's not a fruit.)

The early movers who master this tool AND understand how to package it as a service will dominate. The rest will compete on price in an overcrowded market.

This article scratches the surface. If you want step-by-step strategies for turning AI art into consistent income streams, the AI ART MONEY coaching program walks you through everything—from finding clients to pricing your services to scaling beyond trading time for dollars.

Because making pretty pictures is fun. Making money from pretty pictures? That's freedom.

Want more AI art money-making strategies delivered to your inbox? Subscribe to the VENTURE AI ART newsletter for weekly insights that help you turn creativity into cash.

The Problem: Email platforms nickel-and-dime you with fees while offering clunky designs that scream "amateur hour."

The Solution: Beehiiv gives creators a free, professional newsletter platform with built-in monetization options, growth tools, and clean templates. It's where serious content creators build audiences without breaking the bank.

The Problem: You've got research scattered across PDFs, notes, and bookmarks—but turning that mess into usable content takes forever.

The Solution: NotebookLM lets you upload your sources and instantly generate summaries, podcasts, infographics, and slide decks. It's like having a research assistant who actually reads everything.

The Problem: You want to experiment with cutting-edge AI models, but most developer tools require a computer science degree and your firstborn child.

The Solution: Google AI Studio offers free access to Gemini models—including Nano Banana Pro—with a simple interface. Test prompts, build prototypes, and create without coding headaches.

Stop wondering if you can make money with AI art. Let me show you exactly how to turn your creativity into consistent income—without the overwhelm, confusion, or costly mistakes.