Shopify's CEO Emphasizes AI Adoption Among Employees

The CEO of Shopify has expressed a strong expectation for employees to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) in their work processes. In an internal memo made public, he stated that those seeking additional resources or new hires must justify why AI is insufficient for the tasks at hand.

He believes that avoiding the learning and application of AI technology is no longer feasible, stating that such an approach could lead to stagnation, which he equates to failure over time.

According to the CEO, the integration of AI should be embraced as employees learn to use it effectively, rather than being seen as an optional tool. He noted that many employees had previously accomplished ten times more than expected, and with AI, they can achieve even greater productivity. He highlighted the significant impact of innovative AI utilization, noting that it has enabled some individuals to tackle challenges that seemed insurmountable, resulting in a hundredfold increase in output.

Looking ahead, he suggested that if this trend continues, the company could experience annual growth rates of 20 to 40 percent, which he does not consider overly ambitious.

Founded in Canada in 2006, Shopify provides proprietary software that helps small and medium-sized businesses create online stores. The company's primary market is in North America. After its initial public offering in 2015, Shopify saw rapid growth, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic years of 2020 and 2021, which significantly boosted online commerce. However, since 2022, the company has faced challenges in the stock market, leading to several rounds of layoffs. Most recently, Shopify announced a reduction of its workforce by 200 employees, bringing the total number down to 8,100.