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Will AI Take My Job? Matt Rouse Explains What’s Coming Next

The rise of AI is making one question louder than ever: Will it take my job?


On this episode of The AI Grapple, I sat down with Matt Rouse - author, technologist and co-founder of Hook SEO - to talk about his latest book Will AI Take My Job? and the practical realities of working in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.


If you’re worried, curious or even a little AI-fatigued, this conversation cuts through the noise with clarity, humour and a healthy dose of realism.


 

AI Is Coming for Jobs – But Not the Way You Think

Matt didn’t write the book to stir up fear. He wrote it because so many people were asking questions and getting conflicting answers. He noticed a pattern: the loudest voices in the room were either panicking or overpromising.


The reality sits somewhere in between. AI is already transforming how work gets done, but most of the change is about task automation, not job elimination. And those who learn how to work with AI now will be the ones shaping its future.


 

You Don’t Need to Be Technical – You Need to Be Curious

Matt is a big believer in everyday experimentation. You don’t need to code or understand AI architecture to benefit from it. What you do need is a willingness to explore. Whether it’s planning meals, managing your inbox or improving your writing, AI can already do a lot of the grunt work.


The trick is learning how to “talk” to AI - how to give it better prompts, test what it can do and understand where it still falls short. It’s not about mastering a system. It’s about building a habit of curiosity.


 

What Jobs Are Safe – And Which Ones Aren’t?

Job security in the AI era isn’t just about what you do - it’s about how you do it. If your role depends heavily on repeatable processes, AI is likely to touch it first. But jobs rooted in empathy, problem-solving or hands-on care are much harder to automate.


Roles most at risk:

  • Data entry and admin

  • Routine customer support

  • Basic research or summarising tasks

Roles with staying power:

  • Healthcare and therapy

  • Education, coaching and consulting

  • AI implementation and oversight roles


Matt’s advice? Either become the go-to expert in your area, shift into people-centred work, or become the person who knows how to use AI tools effectively.


 

Don’t Wait for a Crash – Prepare for the Bumps

Change is coming fast, but it won’t hit all at once. Matt described the likely disruption as bumpy, not catastrophic. It’ll come in waves - first to knowledge work, then to surrounding industries. We saw this during COVID when one disruption triggered a domino effect in related sectors. AI could have a similar impact.


Now is the time to adapt. Use AI to increase productivity and reduce admin load, not just to cut jobs. Train teams to use tools well, and keep your decision-making human-centred. Businesses that invest in upskilling now will be far better placed when the next wave hits.


 

The Future of Search – AEO Is the New SEO

One of the biggest shifts Matt is seeing is in how people discover information. Traditional search engines are giving way to AI chat tools and answer engines. People aren’t Googling “best garden chair” anymore - they’re asking AI directly.


This means businesses need to rethink how they position themselves. Clear, literal messaging is more effective than clever branding. Matt shared the story of a client called “The Best Adirondack Chair Company” - and yes, that name alone got them featured in AI-generated answers.


If your content isn’t easy for AI to understand and verify, it may not get seen at all.


 

Final Thought – Start Mucking Around

Matt’s closing message was refreshingly simple: start using AI for fun. Don’t wait for a formal strategy or workplace directive. Use it to fix your washing machine. Plan your shopping list. Write a silly poem. The more you experiment, the more comfortable you’ll become.


That experimentation today is what builds resilience tomorrow. It’s how you stay valuable, no matter what AI looks like six months from now.


Stay tuned for more expert insights and practical advice on The AI Grapple, where we explore how AI is reshaping industries and what it means for the future of work, marketing and human ingenuity.


 

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