I came across Tobias Lütke’s internal Shopify AI memo recently, and it’s truly a must-read.
The document offers a masterclass on how founders usher in immediate change with boldness and clarity.
These are the 8 points that caught my attention because they raise the industry bar and highlight what makes Tobi bold.
Table of Contents
8 Key Points From Lutke’s AI Memo
Here are the key points:
Reflexive AI Usage as Baseline
Reflexive AI usage is now a baseline expectation at Shopify.
- Crisp and clear at all levels. There is no other way around this.
Learning AI Through Practice
What we have learned so far is that using AI well is a skill that needs to be carefully learned by… using it a lot.
- Learn via osmosis.
The Red Queen Race
In my On Leadership memo years ago, I described Shopify as a red queen race based on the Alice in Wonderland story—you have to keep running just to stay still.
- Tobi raises the heat where room temperature is the norm.
Stagnation Equals Failure
Stagnation is slow-motion failure. If you’re not climbing, you’re sliding.
AI in Performance Reviews
We will add AI usage questions to our performance and peer review questionnaire.
- “Show me the incentives and I will tell you the results.” — Charlie Munger
AI Integration in Business Reviews
We’ll dedicate time to AI integration in our monthly business reviews and product development cycles.
AI Before Additional Headcount
Before asking for more headcount and resources, teams must demonstrate why they cannot get what they want done using AI.
- AI is no longer a tool, it’s a headcount gatekeeper.
Clear Mission Alignment
I already laid out a lot of the AI projects in the themes this year. Our roadmap is clear, and our product will better match our mission.
- Clarity in mission, vision, expectations, and communication is what sets the best leaders apart.
You can read the full memo here.