In a surprising video statement on June 6, Zhou Hongyi, CEO of 360, announced his plan to eliminate the company’s entire marketing department, potentially saving tens of millions annually. The tech mogul revealed his ambitious goal of personally conducting an upcoming product launch for the “Nano AI Super Search Agent” on June 11 – a task traditionally requiring dozens of marketing staff working for weeks.
The AI-Driven Product Launch Experiment
Zhou’s radical proposal comes as the company prepares to upgrade its existing Nano AI Search to “Nano AI Super Search.” Industry observers note the added “Super” designation hints at significant technological advancements that may justify Zhou’s confidence in solo product launches.
Internal sources suggest the new product represents a paradigm shift from conventional search tools. The Nano AI Super Search Agent reportedly combines autonomous thinking, task planning, and tool execution capabilities – essentially functioning as what Zhou describes as “one person plus a super intelligent agent.”
Putting AI to the Ultimate Test
Zhou framed the upcoming launch as a real-world test of whether AI can amplify human capabilities. “I want to see if the Nano AI Super Search Agent can multiply one person’s productivity a hundredfold,” he stated, drawing parallels to Tony Stark’s AI assistant J.A.R.V.I.S from Marvel’s Iron Man series.
Early testing reveals groundbreaking capabilities. When tasked with analyzing optimal launch formats, the AI agent autonomously broke down the request into dozens of sub-tasks, conducted 6-20 related searches across multiple platforms, and delivered a comprehensive 22-page report in under 20 minutes – complete with case studies, data visualizations, and strategic recommendations.
Beyond Search: The Agent Revolution
The technology demonstrates remarkable autonomous functionality. During product testing for shopping recommendations, the AI independently accessed Xiaohongshu notes, navigated e-commerce platforms like Taobao and JD.com, analyzed product reviews (including critical feedback), and ultimately provided curated suggestions with options for direct cart placement.
Zhou’s bold move reflects broader industry trends toward AI Agent adoption. With over 1,200 AI Agents already deployed globally across 57 sectors, 360’s innovation positions the company at the forefront of what Zhou calls “the Agent Era” – where human-AI collaboration redefines workplace efficiency.
Implications for the Future Workforce
“If successful, this demonstrates AI’s disruptive potential to overhaul traditional efficiency models,” Zhou remarked. He envisions reassigning marketing personnel to develop AI agents or other departments, redirecting saved millions toward national security and R&D investments.
As tech giants race to implement agent technology, 360’s experiment may signal a watershed moment in corporate restructuring. The June 11 launch will reveal whether one determined CEO and his AI counterpart can indeed replace an entire marketing department – and potentially redefine how businesses operate in the AI age.
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