AI CEO warns AI's disruption will be 'much bigger' than COVID: 'The people I care about deserve to hear what is coming'

In a stark warning to both the public and the tech community, Matt Shumer, the CEO of Hyperwrite, has articulated his concerns regarding the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence. In a comprehensive essay titled "Something Big Is Happening," Shumer revealed that AI has progressed to a point where it can now perform technical tasks that he previously managed himself, suggesting that many jobs could soon be at risk. Shumer's message is directed towards his loved ones who are curious about the implications of AI. He aims to provide a clearer understanding of the current landscape, stating, "I'm writing this for the people in my life who keep asking me 'so what's the deal with AI?'" His post, published on X, gained significant traction, attracting 40 million views and 18,000 retweets within just a day. He emphasized that tech professionals are sounding alarms because they have witnessed firsthand the transformations AI is bringing. Shumer stated, "We’re not making predictions; we’re sharing what has already happened in our roles and warning you that you might be next." He noted that many individuals outside the tech sector dismissed AI after encountering earlier, less effective versions like the initial ChatGPT. According to Shumer, today's AI models are dramatically improved, rendering previous debates about AI's progress irrelevant. He advised against panic, suggesting instead that individuals should become well-acquainted with AI technologies. "This might be the most important year of your career," he asserted, highlighting a unique opportunity for those willing to leverage AI in their work processes. Shumer pointed out that the person who can effectively utilize AI tools will become invaluable. He stated, "The one who walks into a meeting and says 'I used AI to do this analysis in an hour instead of three days' will be the most sought-after individual in the room." His sentiments echo those of other tech leaders, with Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, warning that AI could potentially eliminate half of entry-level, white-collar jobs within the next five years. Elon Musk and others have also cautioned that non-physical labor jobs are at a higher risk of being replaced by AI technology, a perspective supported by growing economic research. Shumer's essay has resonated strongly with many in the tech community, garnering positive feedback from influential figures like Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian and A16z partner David Haber. They emphasized the importance of adapting to the current technological landscape and understanding AI tools to stay competitive. While the response has been largely favorable, some on social media have noted the existing limitations of current AI technologies, such as inaccuracies and 'hallucinations.' Shumer likened the current moment to early 2020, as the world began to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting that AI's transformative potential could be even more profound. He attributed his realizations about AI's capabilities to recent advancements, particularly the releases of Anthropic's Opus 4.6 and OpenAI's GPT-5.3 Codex, which are designed for software engineering. Shumer shared his experiences with OpenAI's latest model, describing it as capable of making intelligent decisions that reflect a level of judgment previously thought impossible for AI. In a follow-up post on LinkedIn, Shumer acknowledged the widespread interest in his original message, stating, "Every time someone asks me what's going on with AI, I give them the safe answer. The real one sounds insane; I’m done doing that."