How AI Agents Could Destroy The Economy

New research warns AI agents could spark mass layoffs and market crashes. Here's what the economic scenario means for businesses and workers.
Matilda
How AI Agents Could Destroy The Economy
AI Agents Could Trigger Economic Collapse, Report Warns Could AI agents really destroy the economy? A new scenario from Citrini Research suggests agentic AI could trigger mass unemployment and a steep market decline within two years. The report outlines a chilling feedback loop: as AI capabilities improve, companies cut workers, spending drops, and firms double down on automation. While not a prediction, the analysis raises urgent questions about how quickly businesses might adopt autonomous AI systems—and what happens when they do. What the Citrini Research Scenario Actually Predicts The Citrini scenario imagines a report dated two years from now, painting a stark economic picture. Unemployment has doubled. Stock market value has fallen by more than a third. White-collar layoffs have accelerated as AI agents take over tasks once handled by contractors and employees. The core idea isn't about rogue AI or sci-fi disasters. Instead, it focuses on the gradual, rational adoption of agent…