Teams must tap AI resources before new hires, says Shopify head

More than half of workers and leaders are worried about the growing overlap between tasks performed by humans and technology, according to new data from Deloitte.

Meanwhile, some business leaders are starting to draw a line in the sand about how to perform tasks, putting AI-based tools at the top of the list. The CEO of Shopify, a leading Canadian-based multinational e-commerce platform, has stated that the organization won’t hire new employees if an AI tool can do the job.

Chief Executive Officer Tobias Lütke recently wrote to employees in a memo he shared on X this month. In the memo, Lütke discussed the growing impact of artificial intelligence within the company and its broader implications: “It’s the most rapid shift to how work is done that I’ve seen in my career, and I’ve been pretty clear about my enthusiasm for it.”

He highlighted how artificial intelligence acts as a multiplier. He said that for the first time, AI tools are evolving the workplace to become 10 times more effective than before, enhancing productivity and capabilities across the board. “I’ve seen many of these people approach implausible tasks,” wrote Lütke, “ones we wouldn’t even have chosen to tackle before, with reflexive and brilliant usage of AI to get 100x the work done.”

Lütke emphasized that this environment mirrors what top performers at Shopify seek: a place where learning happens collectively, surrounded by people committed to personal growth. He described these individuals as working on worthwhile, meaningful and challenging problems together.

Looking ahead, Lütke wrote that AI usage will be integrated into the organization’s performance and peer reviews. “This means that employees will be evaluated not only on their individual contributions but also on how they leverage AI in their work,” according to Shopify’s leader.

Perhaps the most progressive point in his approach is the expectation that teams must first demonstrate how they can achieve their goals using AI before requesting more headcount or additional resources.

The company is pushing teams to consider what their department would look like if autonomous AI agents were already part of the team. Lütke closed the memo by promoting a future-focused mindset that prioritizes efficiency and innovation through AI: “Our job is to figure out what entrepreneurship looks like in a world where AI is universally available.”

HR tech in the news: Rain, Wrike, Envoy and more

Integrated workplace platform Envoy has launched Actionable Analytics, a redesigned tool with interactive dashboards for occupancy, attendance and space use. It helps companies make data-driven decisions to optimize workplace operations.

Consulting solution Emergn has launched the latest version of Praxis, its learning platform for building product management skills. It’s designed to help organizations scale training and foster a culture of “product excellence.”

Michael Ang, founder of recruitment advertising firm JobElephant, has been named a 2025 Leader of Influence in Technology by the San Diego Business Journal for his contributions to the field of HR tech.

Immersive skilled trades training org Interplay Learning has partnered with workforce education platform InStride to offer corporate partners to provide career-aligned, debt-free education to their workforce.

Work management solution Wrike has integrated visual collaboration suite Klaxoon into its AI-powered platform 70 days after acquisition, uniting whiteboarding, workshops and project management in a single experience.

Healthcare workforce tech firm Hallmark has integrated with CareRev, an on-demand platform for acute care staffing. This gives Hallmark customers access to CareRev’s network of 35,000-plus per diem nurses.

Branch, a workforce payments platform, has entered the paycard space with a mobile-first solution. It integrates with Bullhorn, making it simple for staffing firms to onboard and pay workers.

Earned wage access provider Rain has raised $75 million in Series B funding to expand its employer-sponsored financial wellness benefits. Before this round, Rain raised $116 million in Series A and secured a $300 million credit facility from Clear Haven Capital.

More from HR Executive

HR Tech 2025 announced its Las Vegas keynote lineup this week, featuring IBM Chief Human Resources Officer Nickle LaMoreaux on the opening day of the conference and renowned industry analyst Josh Bersin delivering the closing address.

In 2025 and beyond, most CHROs will redesign their organizations to improve the adoption of new technologies. Gartner’s Maggie Schroeder-O’Neal says progressive CHROs will prepare for technological innovation in these two distinct phases.

HR tech innovation is driven by shifting workforce dynamics and AI advancements. Justin Angsuwat, chief people officer at employee experience platform Culture Amp, says HR leaders can succeed by leveraging a strong foundation of workplace and HR data.

Reminder: It’s time to enter Top HR Tech Products of the Year. The submission phase is open now—all entries are due here by April 23.