At the Hong Kong Web3 event last month, I witnessed an interesting conversation. An executive from a major global exchange was talking about the turning point in the industry, and their perspective on the integration of AI and finance was particularly intriguing.

What I felt listening to this executive was that it wasn’t just about efficiency improvements for tech companies, but about a more fundamental organizational philosophy. While many companies are cutting staff with AI, large platforms like Binance seem to be taking the opposite approach. They see AI as a tool to make talented people even more talented.

For example, the discussion about programmers was striking. If using AI to write code increases efficiency tenfold, it’s not just about finishing the same work faster, but about elevating the productivity and innovation capacity of that talent itself. I think this is a crucial perspective for mature companies like Binance.

What was interesting was the part where the executive mentioned expanding the organization’s scale. They used to aim for 1 billion users, but now they’re targeting 3 billion. In other words, they’re shifting from just a trading platform to a global financial infrastructure. They’re envisioning widespread adoption that penetrates daily payments and asset management.

Their description of AI was also unique. They compared it to a young child with advanced intelligence, pointing out that its memory can be fragmented and its logical structure incomplete, but emphasizing the rapid evolution over the past few months. They highlighted that AI is progressing from a mere calculation tool to one capable of autonomous action.

The fusion of blockchain and traditional finance, replacing the SWIFT system, and a financial market operating 24/7—these big narratives are starting to feel more tangible. The fact that global companies like Binance are seriously envisioning this future suggests it’s more than just corporate strategy. It seems to be indicating the direction the entire industry is heading.