When Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke issued an internal memo calling AI a "baseline skill," it sent rippiles across the industry. In this solo episode, we break down what the AI mandate actually says, why it's happening now, and how teams can apply the same principles to drive smarter, faster product development. Whether you're skeptical or inspired by the move, there's plenty to unpack about leadership, culture, and what it really takes to scale AI adoption.

You'll hear six specific actions from the memo that are already shaping how Shopify operates—from prototyping to peer reviews—and tactical ideas for applying each one inside your own organization. With references to historical moments from Apple and Amazon, this episode puts the memo in broader context and makes the case for why now might be the time to stop experimenting with AI and start committing.

Inside the episode...

• Why Shopify's CEO believes AI is now a mandatory skill

• How the company is embedding AI into its prototyping phase

• What it means to include AI usage in performance reviews

• Tactics for encouraging peer learning and internal sharing

• A case for self-directed experimentation with structured demos

• How to get your team building value with AI—without waiting on infosec

• The role of leadership in modeling AI adoption

• Historical parallels from Amazon and Apple

• Practical ways to explore AI before requesting new headcount

• A reminder that AI isn't just for technical folks

Mentioned in this episode

• Shopify AI memo by CEO Tobi Lütke: https://x.com/tobi/status/1909231499448401946

• Nike's internal AI design tools: https://about.nike.com/en/stories/nike-design-athlete-imagined-revolution

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