A viral essay titled “Something Big Is Happening”, circulating widely on social media, has captured massive attention as a stark warning about the accelerating impact of artificial intelligence (AI). Written by Matt Shumer, co-founder of OthersideAI and CEO of HyperWrite, the nearly 5,000-word post on X has been viewed by tens of millions of people, striking a chord far beyond typical tech commentary.
In the essay, Shumer argues that AI’s disruptive potential could soon outpace anything seen before — even the social and economic upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic. He writes that recent advances in models like OpenAI’s GPT-5.3 Codex and Anthropic’s Opus 4.6 have enabled systems that can complete complex technical work independently, describing how he can now delegate software engineering tasks and return to finished outputs without corrections.
Shumer’s central message is that we’re past the point of gradual change: he compares the moment to February 2020, when many people underestimated the coming pandemic’s rapid effects, and suggests AI may similarly reshape industries suddenly rather than slowly. His warning is focused not only on technology but on workforce impacts — especially for roles that are primarily cognitive, screen-based, or analytic — and urges readers and businesses to engage with the technology now to prepare for transformation.
The post has prompted mixed reactions. Some see it as a necessary wake-up call about AI’s capabilities and future direction, while others criticize it as overly dramatic or reflective of hype in the AI sector. Regardless, its viral spread reflects broader public concern and debate about AI’s societal impact, employment risks, and how swiftly disruptive technologies are advancing.
