Shopify is enhancing its platform with innovative AI-driven tools aimed at improving the online shopping experience for merchants and their customers. Key among these updates is an AI-powered store builder that enables users to quickly establish storefronts using a simple prompt, eliminating the need for technical coding knowledge to create elements like banners.
Alongside the store builder, Shopify has upgraded its AI commerce assistant, Sidekick, introducing voice chat and screen-sharing functionalities. These updates were unveiled during the company’s biannual edition launch, showcasing the latest enhancements designed to streamline e-commerce operations.
The AI store builder simplifies website creation by allowing users to describe their brand— for instance, “tennis gear and stylish athleisure”—with Shopify generating a fully functional storefront that can then be customised through its editor. This aims to free up time for merchants to focus on personalising their offerings.
Shopify also launched a new theme called “Horizon” in its Theme Store. This theme incorporates AI to help merchants modify designs effortlessly. Notably, it introduces “Theme Blocks,” which are modular building elements that enable users to transform their store’s appearance without writing any code. Merchants can further refine these blocks using AI, generating bespoke banners or animations merely by describing their vision or uploading an image for inspiration.
In addition to these features, Sidekick can now engage in voice conversations, answering queries from merchants. For example, if they require guidance on tariffs, Sidekick can direct them to helpful resources, such as a tariff guide displaying U.S. rates for various product categories. Users can also share their screens with Sidekick, facilitating easier navigation through Shopify’s features.
Moreover, Sidekick has been integrated into the Shopify mobile app and is now more widely available, with reports indicating that the monthly user base has more than doubled since early 2025. This highlights the growing adoption of AI tools among Shopify merchants.
The company’s ongoing commitment to AI is not surprising. In a recent memo, CEO Tobi Lütke suggested that embracing AI technology could potentially allow Shopify to operate with a leaner workforce while enhancing efficiency and service capabilities.
In summary, Shopify is rapidly advancing its AI capabilities with user-friendly tools that aim to revolutionise e-commerce, making it easier for merchants to establish and customise their online presence while also providing robust support through features like Sidekick.
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