Economy

The S&P 500 could plummet 38% from its 2026 highs by June 2028, according to a report released this week by Citrini Research, a firm specializing in macro-analysis. The projection, detailed in a document titled “The 2028 Global Intelligence Crisis,” envisions a scenario where rapid advancements in artificial intelligence lead to mass layoffs and economic disruption.

The report, co-authored with analyst Alap Shah, is not presented as a prediction, but rather as a “thought experiment” exploring potential risks associated with the accelerating pace of AI development. It outlines a hypothetical macroeconomic memo dated June 30, 2028, detailing a world grappling with the consequences of widespread automation.

By October 2026, the scenario depicts the S&P 500 nearing 8,000 and the Nasdaq exceeding 30,000, fueled by corporate euphoria surrounding AI-driven productivity gains. Initial layoffs, beginning in early 2026, were seen as a positive sign, boosting profit margins and driving stock rallies. However, the report argues that this initial success masked a deteriorating economic foundation.

The core thesis of the analysis centers on the “repricing” of human intelligence. As machines become capable of performing complex tasks previously requiring human expertise, the economic value of human labor diminishes, leading to what the authors term “Ghost GDP” – economic activity that appears robust on the surface but lacks genuine human consumption.

The report highlights a disconnect between rising nominal GDP, driven by AI-powered productivity, and a decline in real economic demand. Even as productivity surged to levels not seen since the 1950s, with AI agents operating continuously without the need for breaks, vacations, or healthcare, the fundamental problem remained: machines do not consume.

By June 2028, the simulated memo details an unemployment rate of 10.2%, a 0.3% increase from previous estimates, triggering the 38% decline in the S&P 500. The report suggests that the initial market reaction to such a high unemployment figure would have been far more severe six months prior, but that traders had become desensitized to negative economic data.

The scenario describes a cycle where corporate profits, generated by AI-driven efficiency, are reinvested into further AI development – specifically, computing power and data center infrastructure – rather than into creating new jobs for humans. This creates an illusion of economic growth while simultaneously eroding the consumer base.

While the report has sparked debate, with some economists dismissing it as “science fiction,” as described by Pierre Yared, the acting chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, it has nonetheless prompted discussion about the potential societal and economic impacts of rapid AI adoption. Citadel Securities argued that current data does not support the claim that AI advancements will lead to widespread job losses, citing historical precedent of technological change not resulting in permanent labor obsolescence.

As of Wednesday, February 25, 2026, tech stocks had begun to recover from an initial sell-off following the report’s release, with the Nasdaq rising over 250 points and the S&P 500 gaining approximately 50 points. The Dow Jones Industrial Average too saw a similar increase.