Teen drops out of college to earn six figures monthly as AI TikTok creator
Maverick Maltin, a 19-year-old who left Arizona State University, now makes around $100,000 each month by producing AI-focused TikTok videos for older adults and securing brand sponsorships.
Maverick Maltin grew up with early exposure to technology through his father’s tech career, which sparked his interest in artificial intelligence and ChatGPT. Enrolled at Arizona State University in 2024, he discovered a niche during a summer break: simplifying AI tools for middle-aged users rather than tech-savvy peers. A TikTok video in May 2025 that re-packaged a popular AI hack with a faster delivery and a catchy hook garnered a million views, convincing him to abandon school and pursue content creation full-time.
By consistently posting multiple times daily and capitalising on trending topics, he built a following that attracted brand deals, the first of which paid $2,400 for two videos and led to over a hundred sponsorships that now generate six-figure monthly revenues. Maltin eventually partnered with an agency and hired a video editor, allowing him to focus on concept development while outsourcing repetitive tasks. He stresses that making AI accessible is his core mission and credits his entrepreneurial family for supporting his unconventional path.
Why it matters
The story shows how young creators can monetize niche AI education on social media, highlighting new income models in the digital economy.
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