Liveware was used in the computer industry as early as 1966 to refer to computer users, often in humorous contexts, by analogy with hardware

Hardware

Hardware is a general term for equipment such as keys, locks, hinges, latches, handles, wire, chains, plumbing supplies, tools, utensils, cutlery and machine parts. Household hardware is typically sold in hardware stores....

 and software.

The term liveware is found in the Culture novels by Iain M. Banks. A Culture Ship is named "Liveware Problem". This is likely a pun on a common computing jargon

Jargon

Jargon is terminology which is especially defined in relationship to a specific activity, profession, group, or event. The philosophe Condillac observed in 1782 that "Every science requires a special language because every science has its own ideas." As a rationalist member of the Enlightenment he...

 hinting at the fact that the problem lies with the system's user.