- Shopify encourages workers to experiment with AI
- Constant learning and prosperity on change are fundamental values
- The workforce will remain “flat”, but the AI will be a priority on the new recruits
The CEO of Shopify has spoken of its affinity for artificial intelligence, and it is clear that technology should play a considerable role in the future of the company.
Tobias Lutke’s reflections on AI were initially disclosed via an internal memo, but due to leaks, Lutke decided to share the exact words in a post X.
Memo explains how the company should focus on improving the efficiency of artificial intelligence before managers ask to hire more human workers, everyone in Shopify should use AI.
Shopify seems to prioritize AI on human workers
Speaking of technology, Lutke noted: “I use it all the time, but even I think I only scratch the surface”, indicating how the workers of the company could experiment with AI to do the work.
Noting his appreciation for the existing workforce of Sophify, which would contribute 10 times more than what he had previously thought, Lutke added that AI can now increase the contributions of 10x, calling workers and AI to mix for 100 times more contributions.
He also referred to the fundamental values of Shopify: being a constant learner and prospering on change. The use of AI has now become a “fundamental expectation” and IA questions must be added to performance reviews to better understand where workers reside with implementation.
The most interesting point in Lutke’s email, however, was that “the teams must show why they cannot get what they want to do using AI” before requesting more workforce and resources. Lutke encourages employees to examine how autonomous AI agents could be integrated into their teams.
Regarding the impacts on the job market, the financial director Jeffmeister shared an intention to “maintain the relatively flat workforce”, but it is after a reduction of 20% of the workforce (of 2,300 workers) in 2023 and an oblique bar of 10% (1000) in 2022, as well as other smaller shots.
