Shopify's AI-first hiring rule: Bold move or red flag?

The red glow of a neon sign saying "VACANCY" lights up the evening.

There's been a lot of buzz recently about Shopify's new stance on hiring, and it's definitely one to pay attention to.

In an internal memo, Shopify's CEO told staff that no new hires will be approved unless it's been proven AI can't do the job. Yep. Before any new role gets the green light, teams need to ask: "Could an AI agent do this instead?" And if the answer is yes, they're expected to explore that route before even thinking about adding headcount.

That's a big shift, not just for Shopify, but for how companies might start thinking about roles, productivity, and value moving forward.

Let's break it down.

What this move is really saying

At its core, Shopify's decision isn't just about cutting costs or reducing hiring. It's about mindset. They're asking employees to flip the usual process. Instead of jumping straight to hiring, the default question becomes: Is this work something AI could do?

And to be fair, that question isn't out of left field. AI tools, especially AI agents that can complete tasks, not just generate content, are evolving fast. We're seeing them summarise meetings, draft reports, manage workflows, respond to customer queries, and even run parts of sales and operations.

So it makes sense that forward-thinking companies want to bake AI into everyday decision-making.

The potential upsides

Increased efficiency. Encouraging teams to explore AI-first solutions could speed up workflows and reduce the burden on stretched teams, without immediately resorting to hiring.

More intentional hiring. Roles that do get approved are likely to be more strategic and more human-driven, like leadership, relationship management, and creative thinking.

Upskilling and innovation. Requiring daily AI use pushes teams to experiment, learn, and stay current. That's a big plus in industries that are changing fast.

But there are also risks

Not all tasks should be automated. Some jobs require empathy, context, or human nuance that AI can't replicate. There's a danger in undervaluing that type of work.

Pressure on staff. If the culture shifts too far forward "AI everything," it could create anxiety among employees who worry their roles are replaceable.

Bias in decision-making. If "AI-first" becomes a blanket rule, teams might overlook when hiring is the right choice, because they're too focused on proving otherwise.

So what should other businesses take from this?

You don't need to adopt Shopify's exact policy to take something useful from it.

The bigger point is this: AI should be part of the conversation before hiring decisions are made. Not as a blocker, but as a filter. One of the many tools for figuring out the best path forward.

It's about being more deliberate. Could this task be done faster or better with AI? Or would a human bring something to the table that an AI simply can't?

There is not one-size-fits-all answer. Some roles might be better served by automation, while others will always need a human touch.

And finding that balance? That's the new challenge for leaders.

Would you feel confident asking your team to explore AI before opening a new role? Or does that feel like a step too far right now?