A Substack article titled "The 2028 Global Intelligence Crisis" triggered unusual market volatility in late February. James van Geelen, founder of Citrini Research, authored the piece that went viral despite not being a forecast of imminent disaster. The scenario analysis explored how AI-driven white collar job losses could trigger a deep downturn and financial crisis.

The article gained traction among economists and research shops, even drawing attention from Citadel Securities. Van Geelen explained his piece was intended as a thought experiment rather than a prediction. The market reaction, dubbed the "Citrini Selloff" by some, demonstrated how AI-related fears can quickly influence investor sentiment and trading patterns.

While van Geelen maintains his scenario isn't the most likely outcome, he argues it's worth considering as AI capabilities advance. The incident highlights growing market sensitivity to AI's potential economic impact and the power of viral research to move markets. As AI continues evolving, such scenario analyses may increasingly shape market psychology and investment decisions.