Shopify’s CEO Tobi Lütke has clarified that your team won’t get more staff or resources unless you can prove that artificial intelligence can’t do the job. In a recent internal memo shared on social media and first reported by CNBC, Lütke explained that teams must now show why a task can’t be done using AI before requesting new hires.
— tobi lutke (@tobi) April 7, 2025
“If autonomous AI agents were already part of your team, what would this work area look like?” Lütke asked in the memo. He encouraged you and your colleagues to think in new ways and explore fresh ideas based on this mindset. The company hopes this will lead to more creative projects and stronger use of AI tools.
The memo, sent at the end of last month, outlines a new way of thinking at Shopify, which Lütke describes as “reflexive AI usage.” This means AI should be a natural part of your daily work. He said AI has already changed how we work more quickly than anything else in his career.
AI is now a basic skill at Shopify
Lütke stressed that using AI properly is no longer a nice-to-have — it’s now a key part of your job. He said that working well with AI is a skill you must build through regular use. Simply put, the more you use it, the better you get. That’s why Shopify is now making AI a basic expectation for every employee, no matter your role.
Shopify is updating its performance and peer review process to support this shift. Soon, you’ll see questions about your AI usage in your reviews. This change will help ensure everyone grows in this area and uses AI as effectively as possible.
It’s not just about replacing tasks with AI, though. Lütke says it’s about multiplying human creativity and skill with the help of technology. He wants your team to apply your talents, backed by AI, to serve Shopify’s merchants even better.
AI chatbot ‘Sidekick’ shows Shopify’s future direction
This change in attitude comes as Shopify is rolling out more AI tools to help both staff and users. The company recently launched its new AI chatbot, Sidekick, which is now in early access. It’s designed to help Shopify merchants with common tasks and decision-making, and it’s a sign of what’s to come.
As Shopify grows, the company is betting on artificial intelligence to do the heavy lifting. Lütke believes this approach will free you and other team members to focus more on creative, meaningful work that machines still can’t do well.
But there’s a clear message here, too: if AI can do a job, it should. Before you ask for new hires, be ready to show that AI won’t cut it. This is now the standard at Shopify, and it could be a sign of what more companies will start doing in the near future.
