The world of business didn’t shift. It flipped.
Recently, an internal AI strategy memo from Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke was leaked—and it’s already being hailed as one of the most important documents of this decade for CEOs, founders, and entrepreneurs. Why? Because it makes one thing painfully clear:
AI isn’t optional anymore—it’s foundational.
In the memo, Lütke lays out a powerful vision for the future, and it’s not just relevant to tech startups or billion-dollar giants. It applies to everyone. If you’re running a business, leading a team, building a product, or even planning your next hire, this is your roadmap.
Let’s unpack the 8 bold truths from the memo—and why ignoring them could cost you your company’s future.
1. Hire an AI before you hire a human
This might sound provocative, but it’s already the reality in forward-thinking companies. AI tools and agents can now handle tasks that once required entire teams. Automating intelligently means you’re optimizing before you scale—and that’s a competitive edge few can afford to ignore.
Takeaway:
Before opening your next hiring req, ask: Can an AI do this faster, cheaper, and more accurately?
2. AI fluency is the new baseline
At Shopify, AI isn’t a side hustle or an add-on. It’s baseline literacy. Lütke emphasizes that AI fluency will soon become a hiring filter. Just like digital literacy became table stakes in the 2010s, AI literacy is now a non-negotiable in 2025 and beyond.
Takeaway:
Train your team in AI tools and prompting now—or risk becoming the team others outpace.
3. AI agents are teammates, not tools
This one’s revolutionary. We’ve been trained to think of AI as software. But what if they were part of the org chart? AI agents that write, design, analyze, and plan are becoming indispensable collaborators.
Takeaway:
Start designing your team structure with human-bot collaboration in mind. It’s not weird—it’s smart.
4. Prompting is a core skill
You’ve heard it before, but it’s worth repeating: the people who know how to talk to AI will outperform everyone else. Just like the early internet rewarded developers, this AI era will reward the best prompters.
Takeaway:
Invest in prompt engineering training. It’s not just for devs—it’s for marketers, strategists, and leaders too.
5. AI-first prototyping is the new standard
Speed has always been the secret weapon of startups. Now, AI is the fuel. Rapid prototyping with AI means teams can move from idea to MVP in days, not months. Lütke predicts even large enterprises will start shipping at startup speed.
Takeaway:
Redesign your product development process to include AI at every step—from ideation to shipping.
6. AI literacy = the new coding
Not everyone needs to write Python. But everyone needs to understand what’s possible with AI, how to interact with it, and how to integrate it into their daily workflow.
Takeaway:
Make AI training part of onboarding. This is the new “how to use Slack” moment.
7. AI is infrastructure, not an add-on
Think of AI as electricity: not a gadget, but the power source. Shopify now treats AI as core business infrastructure. The companies who understand this will build systems around it, not just sprinkle it on top.
Takeaway:
Revisit your product architecture, workflows, and even your business model through the lens of AI-first thinking.
8. More impact per person is the new norm
One person, empowered by AI, can now do the work of five—or fifty. That means the standard of “output per headcount” is changing fast. Small teams with smart systems will disrupt larger, slower incumbents.
Takeaway:
Rethink how you define productivity. The old headcount-based ROI math is dead.
Final Thoughts: The AI-First Company Is Here
Shopify’s memo isn’t a prediction—it’s a blueprint.
The AI-first company isn’t a trend or a buzzword. It’s what the next generation of high-growth, hyper-efficient businesses will look like. And those who move first will dominate.
So ask yourself:
- Are your teams AI-literate?
- Are your tools built to integrate with AI systems?
- Are your hiring practices evolving?
- Are you building faster, smarter, leaner?
If not, it’s time to wake up.
Because the future isn’t coming.
It’s already here.
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