Friday, 17 October 2025
27.3 C
Singapore
27.8 C
Thailand
20.9 C
Indonesia
27.7 C
Philippines

Shopify tells staff: No new hires unless AI can’t do the job

Shopify CEO says no new hires will be made unless teams can prove AI can’t handle the job, making AI use of core company expectations.

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.

“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.

Hot this week

Singaporean invention transforming diabetes care shortlisted for global James Dyson Award

Singaporean inventor Zoey Chan’s insulin needle organiser ‘nido’ shortlisted for the global James Dyson Award.

Clair Obscur developer admits defeat against game’s toughest boss

Even the developers of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 have yet to defeat its hardest boss, Simon, ahead of a major free update.

Semperis unveils cyberwar documentary spotlighting global defenders and reformed hackers

Semperis unveils Midnight in the War Room, a documentary revealing the human stories behind the global fight against cyber threats.

Salesforce launches Agentforce 360 to power the era of the agentic enterprise

Salesforce launches Agentforce 360, an AI platform designed to boost human potential and transform how businesses work in the age of AI.

NetApp expands enterprise cloud capabilities with Google Cloud partnership

NetApp expands its Google Cloud collaboration with new block storage and AI capabilities in NetApp Volumes to accelerate enterprise transformation.

Semperis unveils cyberwar documentary spotlighting global defenders and reformed hackers

Semperis unveils Midnight in the War Room, a documentary revealing the human stories behind the global fight against cyber threats.

TeamViewer integrates AI-driven workplace solutions with Salesforce Agentforce IT Service

TeamViewer integrates AI-powered DEX and remote connectivity with Salesforce Agentforce IT Service to boost IT efficiency and reliability.

New study reveals rise of ‘AI natives’ shaping customer and workplace expectations in Asia Pacific

A Zoom study highlights the rise of ‘AI natives’ in Asia Pacific, revealing their growing impact on customer experience and workplace expectations.

Keeper Security triples revenue in Japan as zero-trust demand surges across APAC

Keeper Security triples revenue in Japan and expands across APAC as organisations adopt zero-trust security to counter rising cyber threats.

Related Articles