Here are five things in business tech news that happened this week and how they affect your business. Did you miss them?

Shopify CEO says no new hires without proof AI can’t do the job.

Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke has implemented a new hiring policy that prioritizes artificial intelligence (AI) over human hires. In a memo to employees, Lütke stated that teams must demonstrate why their needs cannot be fulfilled using AI before requesting additional resources. This approach reflects Shopify's commitment to integrating AI into its operations, including employee performance reviews. The company has already embraced generative AI tools – such as Shopify Magic and Sidekick – to enhance productivity. However, this shift has also led to significant layoffs in recent years. (Source: The Verge)

Why this is important for your business:

This strategy seems a little extreme. And it’s curious to me that it became public. Is this more of a PR stunt than an actual strategy to impress shareholders and show the world how ahead of the game Shopify is? Making an announcement like this also isn’t exactly the best way to attract and retain talent to an organization. As I’ve written repeatedly, AI will be replacing employees. Big companies are doing this. Other organizations will soon be joining in as the technology becomes more affordable and accurate. But announcing that you’re effectively doing this is not only a little premature but also isn’t a good look.

5 reasons I turn to ChatGPT every day – from faster research to replacing Siri.

Lance Whitney of ZDNet wrote about the “variety of compelling advantages” ChatGPT has to offer. He lists five reasons for why he uses it daily despite the available alternatives. Web Searching: ChatGPT’s AI-powered search provides direct answers without distractions. Deep Research: With a paid subscription, ChatGPT can conduct detailed research, saving time by compiling comprehensive reports from online sources. Personalized Chats: The chatbot tailors interactions based on user preferences, enhancing the conversational experience. Prompt Writing Assistance: ChatGPT helps users craft effective prompts for various tasks. Replacing Siri: The AI platform’s versatility and capabilities make it a strong contender for replacing traditional virtual assistants like Siri. (Source: ZDNet)

Why this is important for your business:

He loves ChatGPT and so do I. But I also use other AI platforms – Google Gemini, Microsoft CoPilot and Perplexity - for certain tasks. Every business person should have a subscription to at least one. They’re like having an expert assistant at your disposal to help advise and perform certain tasks for you. ChatGPT and its counterparts will soon be as critical a mobile app as your email, text and phone apps.

Procore's Future State of Construction Report reveals how AI, automation, and workforce shifts are shaping the industry.
Management software platform Procore has published its "Future State of Construction" report – highlighting how AI, automation, and workforce changes are transforming the construction industry. Key findings touch on AI automation, workforce shifts, mental health, data utilization and emerging activities. (Source: Stock Titan)

Why this is important for your business:

The report has extremely valuable insights for companies in the construction field. For example, AI and automation technologies are reducing inefficiencies, with 55 percent of leaders expecting automation to disrupt the industry within five years, and that, with 53 percent of workers retiring by 2036, companies are focusing on upskilling programs to attract and retain talent. My best clients are always looking at information available now and using that to drive their future growth. There’s plenty of data here that will help owners and managers of construction firms make decisions this year that will impact their companies in the years to come.