AI is transforming the world at breakneck speed. Entire industries are being disrupted, businesses are rethinking their strategies, and trust - one of the most valuable assets in marketing - is eroding fast.
In this episode of The AI Grapple, I sat down with Ryan Levesque, best-selling author and creator of the Ask Method, to explore how AI is reshaping business and what it means for those of us who want to stand out. Ryan has built multi-million dollar businesses by understanding how people think, and now he’s applying that expertise to navigating AI’s rapid rise.
We covered the hidden risks of AI, how to build trust in an era of synthetic content, and the key to staying relevant when automation is replacing entire professions. If you’re wondering how to thrive in a world where AI is everywhere, this conversation is for you.
AI Is Changing Everything - But No One Knows Where It’s Going
Most conversations about AI focus on how it’s replacing jobs or making businesses more efficient. But Ryan is asking the bigger question - what happens when AI replaces so many people that there’s no one left to buy what companies are selling?
“Companies are rushing to replace workers with AI because they have to compete,” Ryan explains. “But if every company does this at scale, who’s left to be the customer?”
This isn’t just about automation - it’s about the second- and third-order effects of AI disruption that few people are thinking about. As white-collar professionals - lawyers, accountants, even doctors - find their expertise automated, the economic ripple effects could be massive.
But Ryan isn’t just raising alarm bells. He’s also pointing to the opportunity hidden within this shift.
Why Trust Is More Valuable Than Ever
With AI-generated content flooding the internet, people are no longer just evaluating information - they’re evaluating the source.
“People don’t just want information,” Ryan says. “They want to know who they can trust.”
And trust isn’t built through automation - it’s built through authenticity.
Ryan shares three key ingredients to standing out in a world full of AI-generated content:
Heart: Show your audience that you genuinely care. AI can mimic words, but it can’t replace real emotion.
Humor: Stop taking yourself too seriously. People connect with personality, and AI struggles to replicate that human spark.
Humanity: Share the struggles, not just the wins. Vulnerability builds trust in a way that polished AI content never can.
Ryan’s decision to personally write his weekly emails - rather than using AI or ghostwriters - has been a game-changer. “People can feel when something is real,” he says. “That’s what makes them slow down and engage instead of just scrolling past.”
Where AI Should (and Shouldn’t) Replace Humans
Ryan isn’t anti-AI. He uses it in his own business. But he’s careful about where it belongs - and where it doesn’t.
AI is great for:
Writing standard operating procedures (SOPs)
Analyzing large datasets for trends
Generating first drafts for brainstorming
AI should never replace:
Customer service - Customers want to feel heard, not auto-responded to.
Personal content - If it’s supposed to be you, don’t let AI write it.
High-stakes decision-making - AI lacks intuition and ethical judgment.
The biggest mistake companies are making? Trying to pass off AI-generated content as human.
“Once people find out they were interacting with AI and not a real person, they feel betrayed,” Ryan warns. “And when trust is gone, it’s almost impossible to get back.”
His advice: If you use AI, be transparent about it. Your audience will respect honesty far more than deception.
The Bigger Picture: What Happens When AI Disrupts Everything?
We all know AI is replacing jobs. But Ryan is looking further ahead - what happens when the scale of job loss is so massive that it impacts the global economy?
Here’s what’s at stake:
High-skilled workers with massive student debt could find themselves obsolete.
Businesses that replace too many workers could struggle to find customers.
Investors may see their portfolios crash as AI reshapes industries.
It’s not just about jobs - it’s about who’s left to participate in the economy once AI has automated everything it can.
Ryan compares it to Henry Ford’s philosophy over a century ago: Ford insisted on paying his factory workers well so they could afford the cars they were building. Without consumers, there’s no business.
“Companies need to start thinking about the long-term impact of AI, not just short-term cost savings,” Ryan says. “Otherwise, we could be heading toward an economic collapse that no one is prepared for.”
How to Future-Proof Yourself in an AI-Dominated World
If AI is changing the game, how do you make sure you don’t get left behind?
Ryan’s advice:
Become a trusted expert - AI can generate content, but it can’t replicate real-world experience and relationships.
Focus on human connection - Businesses that emphasize trust and authenticity will stand out in a sea of AI-generated noise.
Diversify your income streams - If AI can replace what you do, start thinking about new ways to add value.
Stay adaptable - The people who will thrive aren’t the ones who resist AI, but the ones who adapt while maintaining their humanity.
The Future: A Return to Real
Despite the rise of AI, Ryan believes we’re on the verge of something bigger - a Return to Real Movement.
“We’ve been sleepwalking through life, surrounded by automation, algorithms, and artificial everything,” he says. “But people are starting to crave real again.”
This is where the opportunity lies.
Real connection
Real experiences
Real, human-driven businesses
And for marketers, that means doubling down on what AI can’t replace - trust, relationships, and emotional connection.
Ryan’s final takeaway?
“Your audience is craving the Sunday brunch version of orange juice - the freshly squeezed, real deal. Don’t serve them the canned, artificial version.”
Where to Find Ryan Levesque
Want more of Ryan’s insights? Subscribe to his newsletter at thedigitalcontrarian.com. It’s raw, real, and actually written by him - not AI.
This episode with Ryan Levesque is a must-listen for entrepreneurs, marketers, and business leaders who want to stay ahead in the AI revolution. If you’re serious about building trust, standing out, and thriving in a world flooded with AI, this conversation will change the way you think.
And for more thought-provoking conversations on AI, business, and marketing, stay tune to The AI Grapple wherever you get your podcasts.