About FirstFluent

FirstFluent is a founder-led advisory firm operating in the technology and intelligent systems space.

We help organisations bring clarity to complex situations — shaping sound problem definitions, structured responses, and data-backed proposals that support confident decision-making. Technology, analytics, and intelligent systems are applied with intent, guided by context, judgment, and responsibility.

Our work is grounded in real delivery experience and focused on clear reasoning, thoughtful system design, and approaches that hold up in real-world environments where governance, reliability, and organisational capability matter.

FirstFluent emphasises direct senior involvement and clear accountability, enabling calm, structured work that is designed to endure.

About the Founder

Steven Shi

Founder & Principal Advisor

FirstFluent is founded and led by Steven Shi, a senior Data & AI practitioner with over 15 years of experience spanning software engineering, data analytics, and data-driven system delivery.

His experience covers a broad range of real-world initiatives, including intelligent systems in computer vision and natural language processing (including LLM-enabled applications), optimisation and decision-support solutions, complex business-rule–driven data processing pipelines, and automation through RPA. Much of this work has been delivered in environments where accuracy, reliability, and governance are as critical as innovation.

Beyond technical delivery, he has a strong track record of building and empowering high-performing teams, strengthening internal capability, and developing future technical leaders through real project work. A defining aspect of his approach is the use of clear, structured proposals backed by data, helping stakeholders make informed, confident decisions under uncertainty.

In parallel, he serves as an Adjunct Lecturer at National University of Singapore, teaching software engineering practices in system design and application development, grounded in real-world delivery experience.

This blend of technical depth, people leadership, and evidence-based judgment underpins how FirstFluent supports clients — calm, structured, and focused on outcomes that endure.