New Fire Technology CEO Livio announced the integration of 17 AI workers into company operations, significantly cutting costs compared to human labor in Hong Kong. In an interview, Livio highlighted the transformative impact of AI on corporate structures, noting a shift from a 'spindle-shaped' organization to an 'I-shaped' one as AI replaces many mid-level roles.
24/7 Operations Without Human Limitations
These AI workers operate around the clock, addressing challenges such as cross-timezone shifts and overnight service demands on exchanges. In a high-cost market like Hong Kong, this approach delivers substantial cost reductions while maintaining service quality.
From Spindle to I-Shape
Livio explained that traditional companies resemble a spindle—with a large middle management layer. AI is now flattening that structure: decision-makers connect directly with frontline execution, eliminating swaths of mid-level positions. The result is a leaner, more efficient 'I-shaped' organization.
Growing Industry Momentum
Parallel developments underscore the trend: Coinbase reduced account restriction resolution time by 90% using AI; a CTO wrote 40,000 lines of Rust code in 28 days with AI assistance; and hotels deploy AI robots for laundry and cleaning. These cases demonstrate that AI is evolving from a support tool to a core workforce component across industries.
Livio cautioned that such shifts will require proactive workforce reskilling and responsible transition planning. For crypto and fintech firms, AI-driven cost optimization is becoming a key competitive lever.