Access Shock: A Theory on the New Rules of the AI Economy

In the 15th century, Gutenberg's printing press revolutionized the world. It took knowledge from the hands of the few and delivered it to the masses. Five hundred years later, the internet did the same for information. Now, we stand on the threshold of a third revolution, and it could be the biggest of all: artificial intelligence is making expert knowledge a public good.

For decades, the most valuable asset in the economy has been what you know. But what happens when that asset suddenly becomes available to many, instantly and at a low cost? Access is certainly not equal for all; it requires devices and an internet connection, and the most powerful tools have their price. But compared to years of specialized education, the barrier is negligible.

To explain the reality now appearing before us, I have put forward a theory I call Access Shock (IS: aðgangslost). A "shock" can be understood as a sudden disequilibrium—a state where the balance is disrupted faster than systems can adapt. When technological development is this rapid, a state of shock emerges in our societal systems.

The following four-step model is my hypothesis for how this state of shock might unfold:

Step One: Sudden Access

This is the trigger—the moment when tools like Lovable, Cursor, or GitHub Copilot (I mostly use Claude code myself) enable novices to program like seasoned experts, or when legal support bots can process documents in minutes that previously took days. Access to such tools is the beginning of the shock. The tremor in the knowledge economy has begun.

Step Two: The Equalization

Following access comes the equalization. Knowledge that was once a competitive advantage loses its value. Identity and careers built on knowledge begin to collapse. This equalization is, however, a double-edged sword. It opens doors for some but undermines the economic security of entire professions, as we already see among graphic designers and copywriters, and it can increase inequality if not managed correctly.

Step Three: The Application Race

Once the playing field is leveled, a new competition begins—a race of application. Who can wield this technology most effectively? Here, human dignity once again becomes the main point. AI can give you an answer, but it cannot build trust, show judgment, or take responsibility. The machine executes the task, but the human bears the responsibility.

What does this mean for you?

Your skills, accountability, and network will be your most valuable provisions through the shock.

• Your Skills: The focus shifts to abilities the machine does not have: critical thinking, creativity, communication, and ethical responsibility.
• Trust and Network: In a world of deepfakes, your reputation and reliability become more valuable than ever. This is the human currency that no machine can create.

The Risk in the Shock

The technology is imperfect, producing misinformation and bias. Beyond its technical flaws, it can exacerbate global inequality or be misused for surveillance, which requires caution and active governance on our part.

Step Four: A New Equilibrium or Collapse

A shock can end in one of two ways: either the systems adapt and find a new equilibrium (compensative shock), or they unravel, collapse, and suffer irreversible damage. One thing is certain: a state of shock is extremely demanding. We are living in the middle of it, and we are all trying to find our footing.

The race has begun. Start now: Try AI tools like Gemini, Claude, or ChatGPT (if you want the model with the fewest limitations, Grok, which I find very entertaining) to understand their potential, and at the same time, sharpen your own critical thinking. This is how you keep your balance in the midst of the Access Shock—and help society reach a new equilibrium.