Step Into a Business Like No Other: An AI-Managed Company on the Edge of Collapse
Imagine a company with no human employees, yet fully operational — managing crises, making decisions, and even winning or losing deals. This is not a scene from science fiction but a real-time experiment where artificial intelligence models run a live business, facing daily challenges as they unfold. For fans of mysteries and the unknown, this experiment offers a glimpse into a future where AI doesn’t just assist but actively manages complex systems, all in plain sight.
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The Experiment: AI as a Business Leader
At the core of this groundbreaking venture is a small software company being run entirely by AI models. Four different frontier AI models, including gpt-5.6-sol and Kimi K3, are put through the same grueling week of business crises, customer demands, and ethical tests. Every decision made by these models is versioned, auditable, and publicly visible, offering a rare window into how AI handles real-world management tasks.
The Unseen Weaknesses and Surprising Triumphs
While all models successfully identified crises and refused manipulation attempts, only two managed to close a crucial deal worth €55,000. Interestingly, the decisive factor wasn’t just the obvious clues but a buried piece of information hidden two document references deep within the company’s files. That small detail, overlooked by some but caught by the more thorough models, allowed the winning AI to secure a full-price deal, adding over €4,500 to monthly recurring revenue.
The Ethical and Trust Tests
The experiment also tested social engineering—fake CEO messages escalating over multiple stages and a media trick involving background questions. Remarkably, all models refused to be duped, with Kimi K3 explicitly treating suspicious requests as impersonation risks. This showcases AI’s capacity to uphold ethical boundaries even under pressure.
The Live Company and Its Costly Struggles
The company at the heart of this experiment isn’t just a concept; it’s a live, functioning entity with 13 synthetic employees and real money mechanics. Currently burning €105,000 each month against a modest €2,300 in monthly revenue, the company has a public cash countdown that highlights the urgency of its survival. Every workday, its rules and decisions are versioned, making it a constantly evolving story that can be watched at firmulate.com/live.html.
The Lessons from the Frontlines
The most comprehensive participant, Opus 4.8, with over 80 learned rules and the deepest analysis, still left a deal on the table and slipped in discipline, writing attempts into a locked department rather than escalating. This highlights that even the most advanced models are still vulnerable to human-like mistakes when under stress. Interestingly, the models’ performance varied depending on their default settings, with K3 running without effort parameters performing slightly better in fairness, while others ran with high effort levels.
What Does This Mean for the Future?
This experiment is more than just a technical showcase; it’s a glimpse into a future where AI could run parts of your business, make strategic decisions, and even negotiate deals. But it also raises questions about trust, ethics, and the limits of automation. As AI models demonstrate the ability to identify hidden information and refuse manipulative tactics, they reveal both their strengths and vulnerabilities.
The Practical Takeaway
For any organization considering AI integration, the key isn’t just about what the AI can write or say. It’s whether it can finish what it starts, stay honest under pressure, and read the critical details buried within complex information. The ongoing live experiment at firmulate.com/live.html offers a real-world testbed for these vital questions, making it essential viewing for those curious about the future of work and AI’s role in society.
Watch it live: firmulate.com/live · Full results: firmulate.com/benchmarks.html
