New York CEO’s Chilling Warning Goes Viral: AI Could Be ‘Much Bigger Than Covid’

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Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant concept confined to research labs or futuristic discussions—it is rapidly becoming a force capable of reshaping industries, economies, and daily life. This reality was underscored by HyperWrite CEO Matt Schumer, whose recent essay titled “Something Big Is Happening” has sparked global debate after garnering more than 61 million views on X (formerly Twitter). In the essay, Schumer delivers a stark warning: the disruption caused by AI could surpass the societal upheaval experienced during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Schumer, who has spent six years building an AI startup and investing in the sector, wrote the piece to explain the magnitude of the technological shift to those outside the AI ecosystem—particularly his family and friends who often ask him about the future of the technology. According to him, the answers people usually receive about AI tend to be simplified, “cocktail-party versions” that fail to capture what is actually unfolding.

A Rapid Shift, Not a Gradual Transition

Drawing parallels with the early days of the pandemic, Schumer noted how quickly the world transformed from normalcy to total lockdown within a matter of weeks. He believes AI could trigger a similarly sudden transformation rather than a slow, decades-long evolution.

“I think we’re in the ‘this seems overblown’ phase of something much, much bigger than Covid,” he wrote. His statement suggests that many people may still underestimate the speed and scale of AI’s development, only realizing its impact once it is fully embedded in everyday systems.

Another striking point Schumer raised is that the future of AI is being shaped by a surprisingly small group of individuals. A few hundred researchers at companies such as OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google DeepMind are currently steering technologies that could affect billions of lives. Despite working within the industry, Schumer emphasized that he himself has little influence over the broader trajectory.

“It Happened to Me First”

Perhaps the most unsettling part of Schumer’s essay is his personal admission that AI has already begun replacing aspects of his own job. As a technical professional, he explained that tasks he once performed manually can now be completed by AI with minimal guidance.

“I tell the AI what I want, walk away from my computer for four hours, and come back to find the work done—done well, done better than I would have done it myself,” he wrote. Just months earlier, he had to guide the system and make edits; now he simply describes the desired outcome.

This firsthand experience reinforces his belief that AI is not merely improving productivity but fundamentally altering the nature of work.

Threat to White-Collar Jobs

Schumer referenced a controversial prediction by Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, who warned that AI could eliminate up to 50 percent of entry-level white-collar jobs. While such forecasts may sound extreme, Schumer argued that the capability for large-scale disruption could arrive sooner than expected—possibly within the next year—even if its economic effects take longer to spread.

Unlike previous technological revolutions, AI does not target just one skill or profession. Instead, it functions as a “general substitute for cognitive work,” improving across multiple domains simultaneously.

Historically, workers displaced by automation found new opportunities elsewhere: factory workers transitioned into office roles, and retail employees shifted toward logistics and services as e-commerce expanded. However, Schumer cautioned that AI may not leave such convenient gaps because it continues to improve at whatever field humans attempt to retrain for.

He listed several sectors likely to be affected, including legal services, financial analysis, journalism, content creation, software engineering, medical diagnostics, and customer support. Modern AI models, he added, are beginning to demonstrate qualities resembling human judgment and taste—abilities once thought uniquely human.

Preparing for an Uncertain Future

Despite the ominous tone, Schumer insists his message is not meant to inspire helplessness but preparedness. The greatest advantage individuals can have right now, he argued, is being early—early to understand AI, early to experiment with it, and early to adapt.

He encouraged people to use AI seriously rather than treating it merely as a search tool. Letting go of ego, learning to collaborate with machines, and staying flexible could prove essential survival strategies in a rapidly changing job market.

Financial preparedness is another key recommendation. While he clarified that he is not a financial advisor, Schumer suggested that strengthening one’s financial resilience is wise if major industry disruptions occur in the coming years.

“This Isn’t a Fad”

Schumer firmly rejects the notion that AI is a passing trend. The technology is already delivering tangible results, improving predictably, and attracting massive investment from some of the wealthiest institutions in history.

“I know the next two to five years are going to be disorienting in ways most people aren’t prepared for,” he wrote. For those within the AI sector, the transformation is already underway. For everyone else, it may simply not have “knocked on the door yet.”

He concluded with a sobering reminder: “We’re past the point where this is an interesting dinner conversation about the future. The future is already here. It’s about to arrive.”

A Debate That’s Just Beginning

Schumer’s viral essay has ignited widespread discussion about whether society is ready for such sweeping technological change. While some experts see AI as a powerful tool for innovation and economic growth, others worry about job displacement and social instability.