Author of Viral AI Essay Says AI Helped Write It

A widely circulated essay warning of potentially massive disruption from artificial intelligence has ignited a conversation about the technology’s future impact, with its author stating he felt compelled to share his concerns urgently. The essay, titled “Something Big is Coming,” has garnered over 60 million views on X as of Wednesday evening.

The Urgency Behind the Warning

Matt Shumer, GP of Shumer Capital, explained that he wanted to reach a broader audience than those already immersed in the tech industry. He specifically aimed to inform individuals like his father, a lawyer nearing retirement, about the potential for significant change. Shumer believes that even a 20% chance of substantial AI-driven disruption warrants widespread awareness, and preparation.

Did You Know? OpenAI’s GPT-5.3-Codex was described as the company’s “first model that was instrumental in creating itself.”

Concerns Extend Beyond Tech

Shumer’s concerns are not isolated. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has suggested that as many as half of all entry-level, white-collar jobs could be eliminated within the next one to five years. XAI CEO Elon Musk has characterized AI as a “supersonic tsunami” poised to displace jobs that do not require physical labour. Shumer himself cofounded OthersideAI in 2020, which later became HyperWrite, an AI-assisted writing tool.

Shumer acknowledged the unsettling nature of these prospects, even for someone actively involved in the AI space. He expressed uncertainty about the longevity of his own career given the rapid advancements in the field. He noted that the impact of AI will likely vary across industries, with professions like nursing potentially facing less immediate disruption than roles involving routine tasks, such as those often performed by junior law associates.

AI’s Role in the Message

Interestingly, Shumer was transparent about utilizing AI in the creation of the viral essay itself. He stated he spent considerable time working with Claude to refine his message, and that this was, in his view, illustrative of the technology’s capabilities. He encourages those sceptical of AI to explore its current potential, contrasting it with earlier, less sophisticated iterations.

Expert Insight: The author’s willingness to acknowledge AI’s assistance in crafting a warning *about* AI highlights the increasingly blurred lines between human and machine contributions, and the potential for AI to amplify existing concerns about its own impact.

Frequently Asked Questions

What prompted the author to write the essay?

Matt Shumer said he felt a sense of urgency to share his concerns about AI’s potential disruption, wanting to reach people outside the tech industry, like his father.

What is the author’s assessment of the likelihood of significant AI disruption?

Shumer stated that even a 20% chance of substantial AI-driven disruption is enough to warrant widespread awareness and preparation.

Has the author been involved in the development of AI tools?

Yes, Shumer cofounded OthersideAI in 2020, which later spawned HyperWrite, an AI-assisted writing tool.

As AI continues to evolve, how might individuals proactively prepare for potential shifts in the job market and the broader economic landscape?