Shopify's CEO call for AI Agents

Hi everyone,

Still think AI agents and the rest are hype? Shopify’s CEO wrote this amazing memo to his employees. AI as the most significant change in work processes he has witnessed, and every employee needs to find ways to use it.

Honestly, skip this newsletter and READ it.

Writer is also having a launch of “Agentic AI in the enterprise” event tomorrow - you need to sign up here.

Let’s get right into it.

In this issue:

• 🤝 In Partnership: The AI that delivers

• 🤿Deep Dive: Microsoft hosted AI skills fest

• 🖼️AI Art: Examples of great and trending AI art

• 🤿Deep Dive: Shopify CEO sets AI bar for team growth requests

• ⚒️Tool Snapshots: Tools for AI, no-code, and productivity

• 📰Top News: News on AI, no-code, and productivity

🤝IN PARTNERSHIP WITH WRITER

You’ve heard the hype. It’s time for results.

After two years of siloed experiments, proofs of concept that fail to scale, and disappointing ROI, most enterprises are stuck. AI isn't transforming their organizations — it’s adding complexity, friction, and frustration.

But Writer customers are seeing positive impact across their companies. Our end-to-end approach is delivering adoption and ROI at scale. Now, we’re applying that same platform and technology to build agentic AI that actually works for every enterprise.

This isn’t just another hype train that overpromises and underdelivers.
It’s the AI you’ve been waiting for — and it’s going to change the way enterprises operate. Be among the first to see end-to-end agentic AI in action. Join us for a live product release on April 10 at 2pm ET (11am PT).

Can't make it live? No worries — register anyway and we'll send you the recording!

Save your spot — register today

🤿 DEEP DIVE

Microsoft Hosted 50-Day AI Skills Fest Aiming for a World Record

Intelligence: Microsoft hosts a 50-day "AI Skills Fest" to provide free AI training and attempted to set a Guinness World Record for the most users completing an online AI lesson in 24 hours.

• The fest offers multi-level lessons on AI, including:

  • Introduction to AI and core concepts like machine learning and natural language processing.

  • Practical applications such as Azure and Copilot.

  • Lessons suited for all skill levels, ensuring both beginners and pros could participate.

• Courses are available in multiple languages, including Arabic, Mandarin, Spanish, and more.

• Additional activities like hackathons, community forums, and Microsoft partner pitches were also part of the fest.

• Participants entered a sweepstake to win one of 50,000 free certification vouchers and received a 'participation badge' for completing training during the record attempt.

🖼️ AI ART

Examples of great and trending AI art

The images below are created with Midjourney’s latest model, v7.

🤿 DEEP DIVE

Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke Emphasizes AI Utilization Over Hiring

Intelligence: Shopify's CEO Tobi Lütke has communicated to employees that teams must demonstrate the limitations of AI before requesting additional headcount or resources, marking a shift in company expectations regarding AI integration.

• Lütke stated that the effective use of AI must become a fundamental expectation for all employees at Shopify.

• In a recent memo, he encouraged teams to explore how their work could be enhanced with autonomous AI agents, fostering innovative discussions.

• AI usage will be included in performance and peer review questionnaires, reinforcing accountability and skill development in AI.

• Lütke highlighted AI as the most significant change in work processes he has witnessed, emphasizing the need for teams to learn AI skills through frequent usage.

• The aim is to combine employees’ skills and ambitions with AI capabilities, ultimately benefiting Shopify's merchants.

⚒️ TOOL SNAPSHOTS

Futuristic tools within AI, no-code, and productivity

• 🤖 Amurex - Streamline workflow with AI-powered knowledge organization & retrieval. Free to use.

• Supametas.AI - Transforms messy content into organized datasets effortlessly. Free option available.

• 🔐 Duck.ai - Free, private AI chat with top-tier models. Free to use.

• 🌍 Cuckoo - Real-time AI translation for global business communication. Free to try.

• 🛒 Flexpoint - One-stop platform to sell and manage creator-focused services. Free to try.

• 💰 Blakebill - Share your work and get paid your set price. Free option available.

📰 TOP NEWS

News on AI, no-code, automation, and productivity

🧠 OpenAI Eyes $500M Deal for AI Hardware Startup

OpenAI is reportedly considering a $500 million acquisition or partnership with io Products, the AI hardware venture led by Jony Ive and Sam Altman, which is developing AI-powered devices including smart home tech.

📱 Gemini Live Expands to More Android Users

Gemini Live is now available on Pixel 9 and Galaxy S25 devices, letting users talk to Gemini in real time using their phone’s camera or screen to get help with tasks like organizing, troubleshooting, and creative brainstorming.

🎬 Runway Unveils Gen-4 AI Video Model with Enhanced Consistency

Runway's new Gen-4 video model offers smoother motion, better character consistency, and stronger prompt adherence, giving creators a tool to quickly produce short cinematic clips with minimal input.

🛠️ Deep Cogito Debuts Hybrid AI Models with Reasoning Toggle

Startup Deep Cogito has launched Cogito 1, a suite of hybrid open models that let users switch between fast responses and deeper step-by-step reasoning, now available via API and download.

🎙️ Amazon Nova Sonic Launches for Real-Time Voice Conversations

Amazon introduces Nova Sonic, a new model for speech-to-speech AI that enables real-time voice interactions in applications, offering high-quality voice generation with low latency and multi-style speech.

ℹ️ ABOUT US

The Intelligent Worker helps you to be more productive at work with AI, automation, no-code, and other technologies.

We like real, practical, and tangible use-cases and hate hand-wavy, theoretical, and abstract concepts that don’t drive real-world outcomes.

Our mission is to empower individuals, boost their productivity, and future-proof their careers.

We read all your comments - please provide your feedback!