AI will never be used at scale to write content. However, AI tools might be used to draft content briefs, and to optimize original copy ensuring that optimal keywords and keyword density is used.

This will be heavily dependent on your existing SEO efforts. Domain authority works on a logarithmic scale, so the more advanced your site is from an SEO perspective, the longer it can take to see improvements. On average, improvements in organic search traffic and rankings can take up to 90-days.

No. As of late, Google has been severely penalizing grey/black-hat link placements. These types of placements are the only way to guarantee backlinks. Instead. I solely pursue white-hat, marquee link placements by pitching media and other web-publishers on platforms via HARO, Qwoted, Featured, etc... With a 30% hit rate, this typically results in ~7 DR45+ placements per month, but cannot be guaranteed.