Passive income: YES

Earning passive income from an AI Smart Building Energy Management System side hustle is achievable, but it requires significant setup and ongoing maintenance to reach a passive level. Initial setup costs range from $5,000 to $10,000. Implementing automation and remote monitoring systems are crucial to reducing manual intervention. While some individuals have reported success stories of earning passive income from this side hustle, it tends to be more common for a few outliers rather than the majority. It realistically becomes passive for those who invest in robust automation tools and have a solid understanding of energy management systems. Misleading expectations include assuming quick passive income without investing in the necessary infrastructure.