Every now and then, doomsday prophecies emerge, and if a new prophecy is alarming enough, it quickly spreads across social media. Recently, an article on X , "Something Big Is Happening," has been read by over 83 million people. Who says people don't read long articles anymore? This 20-page article has readers. The author warns that the harm caused by AI is accelerating, and claims to have run several AI startups, citing advice from industry insiders. He likens AI to the COVID-19 virus of the century, something most people won't realize until the catastrophe is upon them! This article is a summary of my reading experience.
When AI possesses judgment, it will no longer be a human assistant.
In his article, author Matt Shumer describes how AI has evolved from a machine-assisted tool into an executor. The current development process no longer requires actual code writing; simply describe the requirements, and AI will design the process, write tens of thousands of lines of code, and even open the application for testing and click buttons like a real person, finding unsatisfactory parts and correcting them on its own until it is perfect before delivering it for testing.
Previously, people believed that AI lacked human intuition, taste, and decision-making ability. However, the latest models have demonstrated a similar ability to make judgments as the human brain. They can not only execute instructions but also know what the "correct" decision is. When the difference between humans and machines becomes negligible, the uniqueness of humans begins to crumble.
Why is this time different?
This AI-driven industrial revolution is completely different from the past. Today's AI will generate new versions on its own. Humanity is facing a declining birth rate, but AI can continuously generate new AI. Many startups rely on AI to optimize coding capabilities and write programs to develop the next generation of smarter versions.
AI will completely replace the human brain and labor.
AI can completely replace jobs and labor that require cognitive functions, leaving no transitional positions. Regardless of the training it receives, it can process tasks faster than humans in that field.
Who is on the danger list?
Don't assume that white-collar jobs are safe. According to Matt's observation, within five years or even sooner, white-collar jobs will face a large-scale reshuffle, and the following four professional fields will be the first to be affected.
Legal Department: AI can quickly understand and read contracts and cases, and its research and summarization capabilities are comparable to those of senior lawyers.
Finance: Data analysis and modeling will be far more accurate than humans, replacing accountants, actuaries, and stockbrokers.
Medical: The ability to interpret images, provide diagnostic suggestions, and review literature is approaching that of an expert.
Engineering and Creativity: The quality of outputs in programming, marketing copywriting, and technical reports has become indistinguishable to the general public.
Warning: Any job involving reading, analysis, decision-making, and communication in front of a computer screen is in a high-risk zone.
What can humans do now?
Don't feel helpless. Here are a few suggestions from Matt, which I happen to be doing myself. After purchasing the paid version of Gemini, I can do even more, often challenging the AI by giving it difficult problems and commanding it to self-correct. The following suggestions can help you cope with the impact of AI.
- Stop using the low-level free version: Free models can only do rough work, and the results are all the same. Set a budget to purchase high-level models to perform the work.
- Let AI correct errors: Don't just ask AI questions; give it the most difficult and time-consuming tasks and let it draft and analyze them to find the mistakes.
- Train your AI and optimize your personal model: Try training your AI every day to do things it "couldn't do before".
- Accumulate personal savings: Increase financial resilience in the event of an income shock.
- Strengthen real-world relationships: AI cannot replace real-world interactions between people. Build strong relationships with those around you based on emotion and trust.
- Become an AI bridge: Be the person in the company who understands AI best and can teach others how to use it.
- Educating the next generation: The world where graduating from a prestigious university guarantees a secure job is collapsing. We must teach children to be creators and learners, and to learn and grow using AI.
If humanity can successfully harness AI, it may solve incurable diseases such as viruses, cancer, and Alzheimer's, bringing prosperity and stability to society. However, if it fails, all of humanity will face the "most serious threat to national and personal security in history." Humanity is building a "super-nation" that thinks a hundred times faster than humans, never sleeps, and can control the internet and machines. Those who develop these technologies will become the sole controllers, and you, who are reading this article now, will definitely not escape the impact.
This article, "Something Big Is About to Happen," which has been read by 80 million people, warns of an impending AI doomsday . It first appeared on ABMedia, a ABMedia .
