Late 2026… it all began with “AI agents.”

Citrini Research’s “The 2028 Global Intelligence Crisis” argues that human intelligence once the scarcest economic resource is losing its premium. AI agents now write code, generate reports, and make decisions, automating workflows in weeks.
The first wave hit software, consulting, and payments. Margins surged but consumption fell. White collar jobs vanished, spending slowed, and “Ghost GDP” appeared: growth on paper, weak demand in reality.
By 2028? A projected 38% S&P 500 drop, 10%+ unemployment, deflationary pressure, and protests outside OpenAI and Anthropic.