Shopify President Harley Finkelstein is characterizing the current integration of artificial intelligence into commerce as the start of a new golden age for entrepreneurs. According to the company, AI is accelerating business creation and management by simplifying tasks that previously required technical expertise.
Data from the platform shows that traffic and orders originating from AI interfaces like ChatGPT and Gemini have tripled over the last year. This trend is allowing smaller brands to connect with customers through channels that bypass traditional search methods. Finkelstein noted that 75% of these AI-driven purchases occur outside the platform's top 100 product categories, which suggests that independent merchants are finding more competitive footing against larger retailers.
Shopify's internal AI assistant, Sidekick, processed 34 million conversations during the second quarter. The company reports that merchants who use this tool during their setup phase achieve their first five sales more quickly. This speed in reaching early milestones is a factor in whether a new store gains long-term momentum.
The announcement comes as Shopify reports strong quarterly performance, with gross merchandise volume reaching $116 billion and consistent growth metrics. While the company faces market volatility, executives maintain that AI tools are a core driver for lowering barriers to entry for new business owners.