⚙️ Shopify CEO makes AI mandatory for employees

Hi AI Futurists,

Shopify is shifting how it builds teams: before hiring, employees must prove AI can’t do the job. AI use is now part of performance reviews, and the expectation is that everyone, from engineers to ops, works alongside automation tools like Shopify Magic. Shopify makes this move as more tech companies are beginning to incorporate AI into their daily operations.

Here’s our agenda.

• Artisan

• Shopify CEO brings AI into the workforce

• Top 3 selected AI tools

• ChatGPT crash course

• AI quick hits

Best,
Lex

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How AI is Impacting the World: Shopify CEO brings AI into the workforce

Shopify, the Canadian e-commerce platform powering millions of online stores, is rethinking how work gets done in the age of AI. The company has introduced a new policy: before requesting additional resources or hires, teams must show that AI can’t handle the task. “What would this area look like if autonomous AI agents were already part of the team?” the company asked in a memo shared publicly.

AI usage will now factor into employee performance reviews, marking a cultural shift toward seeing AI not as a tool you might use, but one you’re expected to use fluently. Shopify has already introduced internal and merchant-facing tools like Sidekick, an AI chatbot, and Shopify Magic, a suite of automation features. The message is clear: whether it’s internal ops or customer support, AI should be your starting point.

This mirrors moves across the tech industry as companies balance deep investment in AI with tighter budgets and smaller teams. Klarna, for example, says its AI chatbot does the work of 700 agents. Shopify, which laid off 20% of its workforce last year, is holding headcount flat while hiring high-comp AI engineers. In a workplace increasingly shaped by software, the value of a worker may soon depend less on output and more on knowing how to ask the right questions — to a machine.

Key Points

• Shopify employees must justify headcount requests by showing AI can’t do the task

• AI usage will now factor into performance evaluations

• Shopify is actively using its own AI tools (e.g., Sidekick, Shopify Magic) internally

• Company aims to maintain headcount while managing comp through strategic hiring (e.g., top AI engineers)

• Reflects a broader industry trend—other CEOs like Klarna’s are slashing roles thanks to AI efficiencies

What You Can Do Right Now

• Take a look at your daily tasks and ask yourself: Could AI help me do this faster or better? Whether it’s writing emails, organizing info, or summarizing documents, there’s probably a tool that can help.

• If you're already using AI tools (like ChatGPT or Notion AI), start tracking how much time they're saving you. That kind of info might soon matter at work as much as your to-do list does.

Top 3 Selected AI Tools

1. Supaboard

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2. Amurex

   AI that integrates in your workflow, connecting and organizing knowledge across existing tooling

   

3. EverTutor

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ChatGPT crash course

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