Shopify's Top 10 AI Tips: Why Crypto And All Biz Must Think AI First
Shopify could have been a feature in my AI First, Human Always book! When I first decided to write my latest book, AI First, Human Always, back in February, it was clear that simply writing about AI wasn't going to be enough. I was writing about AI First, and so I wanted to be AI First. I had to fully embrace AI not just as a tool, but as an integral teammate.
So I set myself a bold challenge: create an AI Agent specifically designed to help readers more effectively consume my book, gain access to continuously refreshed insights from my latest research and articles, and guide them directly to content tailored to their interests, whether they're in financial services, running a small business, or leading marketing initiatives.
Shopify went even further!
Yesterday, a leaked internal memo from Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke, which further validated my decision and underscored the urgency of embracing AI on a larger scale. The memo's headline immediately grabbed my attention: "Hire an AI before you hire a human."
This was not just another passing business trend; it was a seismic shift in organizational thinking. If Shopify, a $100 billion company, was embedding AI agents deeply into their organizational structure, it was clear to me—and should be to everyone—that it was time to pay close attention.
David Armano, CX Strategist, Digital Innovator at NTT Data wrote, 'It's a remarkable glimpse at a company that is going all in on #AI. This isn't just about increasing AI literacy as a nice to have, this is about integrating AI into the fabric of the organization. This reminds me of Facebook's pivot to become a mobile-first company, only we know AI is even more of a game changer.'
Armano's words resonated deeply with my own experience. Shopify's memo wasn't just theoretical—it mirrored the practical transformation that AI First companies go through.
What's particularly fascinating is how this AI-first approach parallels the evolution we've seen in the blockchain and cryptocurrency space. Much like how Web3 technologies have shifted from experimental novelties to essential infrastructure, AI is following a similar trajectory of integration into core business operations.
In fact, many of the most innovative players in the crypto space have already been implementing AI agents to enhance their decentralized applications. Smart contracts—the backbone of blockchain functionality—are increasingly being augmented with AI capabilities to create more adaptive, responsive systems that can learn from network interactions while maintaining the security and transparency blockchain provides.
Here are ten critical takeaways from Shopify's memo that every leader needs to consider:
This transformation mirrors what's happening at the intersection of blockchain and AI. Forward-thinking crypto projects are no longer simply creating tokens or basic smart contracts—they're developing AI-enhanced decentralized systems that can evolve and adapt to market conditions while maintaining the immutable trust layer blockchain provides. Blockchain and AI are stronger together.
Consider how DeFi platforms are now incorporating AI agents to optimize yield strategies, analyze on-chain data for enhanced security, and provide personalized financial recommendations while preserving user privacy. These aren't just incremental improvements—they represent a fundamental reimagining of what's possible when decentralized systems gain intelligence.
The combination of transparent, trustless blockchain infrastructure with adaptive, learning AI systems creates a powerful synergy that's greater than the sum of its parts. Organizations that understand and leverage both technologies will have a significant competitive advantage in the coming years.
The Shopify memo didn't just echo my experiences—it amplified them. Inspired by this convergence. I challenged my team to have at least one AI agent supporting your role. No matter if you're in insurance analyzing customer data, in crypto decoding market fluctuations, or in any industry at all—adopting an AI-first mindset is not just strategic; it's essential.
Reflecting on my journey, I'm convinced that embracing AI doesn't diminish our humanity—it enhances it. AI enables us to dive deeper into the human elements of our work, fostering innovation, strategic thinking, and meaningful engagement.
In fact, embracing AI helped me and my team discover new ways of working collaboratively, shifting our focus from mundane tasks to truly meaningful activities. AVA facilitated deeper conversations, smarter decisions, and more impactful outcomes, proving AI's value beyond productivity gains—it helped reshape our culture towards continuous innovation and learning.
If your business is still treating AI as an afterthought, it's time for a mindset shift. The future will belong to those who recognize AI not just as a useful technology, but as a trusted colleague integral to their operations.
Integrating AI intelligently isn't about losing our humanity, but about empowering it. The question is no longer whether you should invite AI into your workflow.
The real question is, how soon can you welcome AI onto your team like Shopify has?
Did you enjoy this story about Shopify? Don't miss my next one: Use the blue follow button at the top of the article near my byline to follow more of my work.
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