A new essay argues that any firm can be reduced to a network of algorithms. It uses the photo‑restoration startup Memories as a case study: users upload scans, the system repairs damage, applies stylized filters, generates captions, then delivers prints or digital files. Each stage maps to a discrete algorithm, and even back‑office functions—hiring, tax filing, marketing—break down similarly.

The author models those algorithms as nodes in a graph, with edges representing data flows such as ‘send to’ or ‘receive from.’ Consulting giants like Accenture, KPMG and McKinsey are already packaging this view into a service: audit every workflow, flag redundant teams, and automate or eliminate steps. The promise is a slimmer organization that runs on fewer human hands.

Because AI excels at both discrete task execution and relational reasoning, it can continuously monitor the graph, asking how many humans draft marketing copy or how long ideas linger before a campaign launches. The net effect will be higher productivity and lower staffing costs, while many routine jobs disappear. Companies that map their processes now will face fewer surprises when AI‑driven optimization arrives.