In February 2026, an unusual phenomenon occurred even by the standards of the technology sector: a specific breakthrough in artificial intelligence triggered an immediate reaction in global stock markets, accelerating large-scale sell-offs in software and IT services companies.
This is not a broad correction driven by interest rates, inflation, or geopolitical tensions. This time, the trigger is far more specific: the growing perception that generative artificial intelligence — particularly Anthropic’s latest developments — is crossing a maturity threshold, turning advanced automation into a direct threat to parts of traditional software and to business models built around services.
This episode is not merely volatility. It is an early warning that AI is beginning to have an impact not only on companies’ internal productivity, but also on how the market values their future.