Hyperwrite CEO Matt Schumer Issues Stark Warning on AI Disruption
In a deeply personal and urgent essay titled 'Something Big Is Happening,' Hyperwrite CEO Matt Schumer has sounded the alarm on the impending disruption from artificial intelligence, warning that it could hit the global economy by the end of this year and pose a significant threat to white-collar jobs. Schumer, who has spent six years building an AI startup and investing in the sector, wrote the piece to explain the reality of AI to those outside the tech bubble, moving beyond the simplified "cocktail-party version" he typically offers.
AI Disruption Compared to Covid-19 Pandemic
Schumer draws a striking comparison to the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, where the world shifted from normalcy to lockdowns in a matter of weeks. He believes AI disruption could unfold in a similarly abrupt manner, not gradually over decades. "I think we're in the 'this seems overblown' phase of something much, much bigger than Covid," Schumer wrote, emphasizing that the change is imminent and profound.
Limited Control Over AI's Future Direction
Despite his role in the AI industry, Schumer admits he has little influence over the direction of AI development. He asserts that the power to shape AI's future rests with a remarkably small circle of researchers at a handful of major labs, including OpenAI, Anthropic, Google DeepMind, and a few others. "I should be clear about something up front: even though I work in AI, I have almost no influence over what's about to happen, and neither does the vast majority of the industry," he stated.
Immediate Impact and Capabilities of AI
Schumer insists that the shift is already underway and not a distant concern. He notes that AI tools have advanced to the point where he no longer performs much technical work himself; instead, he gives instructions and returns hours later to finished output that surpasses his own capabilities. "Done well, done better than I would have done it myself, with no corrections needed," he explained, highlighting the rapid improvement in AI's cognitive abilities.
Threat to White-Collar Jobs and Economic Ripple Effects
Referencing a warning from Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, Schumer suggests that AI could wipe out half of entry-level white-collar roles. He believes the capability for massive disruption could be here by the end of this year, with economic ripple effects following. "Given what the latest models can do, the capability for massive disruption could be here by the end of this year. It'll take some time to ripple through the economy, but the underlying ability is arriving now," he wrote.
AI as a General Substitute for Cognitive Work
Unlike past technological revolutions that replaced specific types of labor, Schumer argues that AI is different because it acts as a general substitute for cognitive work, improving at a broad range of thinking tasks simultaneously. "AI isn't replacing one specific skill. It's a general substitute for cognitive work. It gets better at everything simultaneously," he said, noting that this leaves fewer gaps for displaced workers to retrain into.
Knowledge-Based Professions at Risk
Schumer predicts that knowledge-based professions will feel the impact first, including law, finance, journalism, coding, medicine, and customer support. He points out that today's AI models display something resembling human discernment and judgment, making decisions that feel intuitive rather than just technically correct.
Call for Awareness and Adaptation
Schumer's message is not meant to spread panic but to encourage awareness and early adaptation. "I'm not writing this to make you feel helpless. I'm writing this because I think the single biggest advantage you can have right now is simply being early. Early to understand it. Early to use it. Early to adapt," he advised. He urges people to treat AI as a serious tool, drop any pride hindering learning, and strengthen personal finances for potential industry turbulence.
AI as a Non-Fad with Trillion-Dollar Commitments
Schumer makes it clear that AI is not a passing tech craze. "I know this isn't a fad. The technology works, it improves predictably, and the richest institutions in history are committing trillions to it," he wrote. He expects the next two to five years to be disorienting for many, with the shift already affecting his world and soon reaching others.
Final Warning: The Future Is Here
In closing, Schumer issues a final warning, reminding readers that the AI shift is closer than most think. "We're past the point where this is an interesting dinner conversation about the future. The future is already here. It just hasn't knocked on your door yet. It's about to," he concluded, urging immediate attention and action.
