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About the Research

From SEO Operators to AI Orchestrators: An International Study on Surviving the Agentic AI Revolution

Project Overview

AgenticSEO.STUDY investigates the existential transformation of the SEO profession due to agentic AI automation. With 75% of SEO tasks predicted to be automated by 2026, this research explores how professionals can transition from traditional operators to AI orchestrators through technical upskilling and strategic transformation.

Research Focus

  • Agentic AI automation impact (75% task automation by 2026)
  • Technical upskilling pathways (Vibe Coding methodology)
  • International readiness comparison (Romania, Western Europe, Global)
  • Transition from operators to orchestrators

Research Impact

  • 90-Day Survival Playbook for career transformation
  • 30-Day Vibe Coding curriculum for SEO professionals
  • Career Resilience Calculator with 93-item assessment
  • Technical skills framework for AI orchestration

Our Mission

To provide SEO professionals with evidence-based insights and practical tools to navigate the AI transformation successfully, ensuring career resilience and growth in an evolving industry.

Our Vision

A future where SEO professionals thrive alongside AI, leveraging technology to amplify human creativity, strategic thinking, and relationship building in digital marketing.

Research Team

REA

Robert Eduard Antal

Principal Researcher

Bachelor Student in Advertising, FSPAC UBB Cluj-Napoca

With over 10 years of experience in SEO and digital marketing, Robert Eduard Antal brings both practical industry expertise and academic rigor to this critical research on AI's impact on SEO careers. As a Bachelor student at Babeș-Bolyai University's Faculty of Political, Administrative and Communication Sciences, he combines hands-on technical proficiency (Python, SQL, API development) with mixed-methods research methodology to investigate the existential transformation facing SEO professionals in the agentic AI era.

Supervised by Prof. Dr. Dorin Spoaller, this research represents the first comprehensive study examining how SEO professionals can transition from operators to AI orchestrators through technical upskilling and strategic transformation.

10+
Years Industry Experience
120
SEO Professionals (Target Sample)
93
Item Technical Assessment

Academic Affiliation

University: Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca
Faculty: Political, Administrative and Communication Sciences (FSPAC)
Program: Bachelor in Advertising
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Dorin Spoaller
Research Period: October 2025 - May 2026
Research Title (English):

"From SEO Operators to AI Orchestrators: An International Study on Surviving the Agentic AI Revolution in Search (2025-2027)"

Research Innovation

  • First study examining agentic AI impact on SEO careers
  • Novel "Vibe Coding" curriculum for technical upskilling
  • 93-item technical skills assessment methodology
  • International comparative analysis (Romania, EU, Global)
  • 90-Day Survival Playbook for career transformation
  • GDPR-compliant research platform and tools

Technical Expertise & Background

Industry Experience

  • 10+ years in SEO and Digital Marketing
  • AI orchestration and automation expertise
  • Strategic consulting and transformation
  • Career resilience framework development

Technical Skills

  • Python programming with modern stack (uv, FastAPI)
  • SQL and database management
  • API development and integration
  • AI-assisted "Vibe Coding" methodology

Get Involved

We welcome collaboration from industry professionals, researchers, and organizations interested in understanding AI's impact on digital marketing careers.

This research is conducted as part of a Bachelor thesis at Babeș-Bolyai University, Faculty of Political, Administrative and Communication Sciences, under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Dorin Spoaller. All data is collected and processed in accordance with GDPR and academic ethical guidelines. Participation is voluntary and confidential. Research period: October 2025 - May 2026.