In a recent internal memo, Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke introduced a major shift in company policy: before requesting additional staff or resources, teams must first prove that the task can’t be handled by AI.
"Teams need to show why AI can’t accomplish the task before seeking more headcount," Lütke wrote, sharing the memo publicly on social media. He encouraged teams to ask themselves, “What would this function look like if autonomous AI agents were already working alongside us?”—a question he believes can spark innovative discussions and new initiatives.
This move, which promotes integrating AI agents to help keep Shopify's workforce lean, is likely to raise debate amid growing concerns about AI's effect on employment. A recent report by the UN’s Trade and Development arm suggests that AI could impact over 40% of jobs worldwide.
Lütke isn’t alone in this mindset. Klarna CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski has also praised AI’s ability to boost efficiency, revealing that Klarna’s AI chatbot handles the workload of 700 customer service agents. He’s even suggested the company could eventually operate with just 2,000 employees—half its current staff of roughly 4,000.
As of 2024, Shopify employed around 8,100 people. The year before, the company cut 20% of its workforce, and according to Business Insider, further quiet layoffs in customer service took place in January.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly moving from a supportive tool to an active workforce in many organizations. Instead of merely augmenting human workers, AI systems are now replacing specific job roles in certain contexts. Companies large and small are deploying AI-driven agents to perform tasks once handled by humans – from writing content to answering customer queries. This article explores how AI tools are taking over particular job functions, provides real-world examples (with a focus on Stob.AI’s approach), and discusses the benefits and challenges of substituting human employees with AI solutions.
AI Taking Over Specific Job Roles: Trends and Examples
Early uses of AI in the workplace focused on assistance e.g. using ChatGPT to draft an email faster with a human still in control. Today, however, we see a shift toward full automation, where AI can perform entire workflows with minimal human input. Below are some key domains and examples of AI replacements:
- Content Creation and Media: Generative AI systems now write articles, marketing copy, and even create imagery. For instance, BuzzFeed uses AI to generate online content after newsroom layoffs.
- Customer Service and Support: Klarna deployed a GPT-4 powered chatbot that performs the work of 700 customer service agents, handling 70% of inquiries autonomously.
- Human Resources and Recruitment: Startups like OptimHire use AI to source, screen, and interview candidates, effectively automating recruitment.
- Sales and Marketing: Stob.AI automates end-to-end sales and content workflows with agents that send outreach emails, manage CRM updates, and moderate social media.
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Administrative and Back-Office Roles: IBM expects to replace 30% of back-office support roles with AI within five years.
Comparison Table
| Job Title | Typical Human Tasks | AI Tool/System | Company Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Customer Support Agent | Answering inquiries, resolving issues, providing info | GPT-4 chatbot | Klarna – chatbot handles ~70% of inquiries |
| Content Writer / Journalist | Writing, editing, proofreading | Generative AI (e.g. ChatGPT) | BuzzFeed – AI-generated articles |
| HR Recruiter | Sourcing, screening, scheduling | AI recruiting agent | OptimHire – OptimAI Recruiter |
| Back-Office Administrator | Data entry, records, forms | AI workflow automation | IBM – 30% of roles to be replaced |
| Sales Representative | Cold outreach, CRM updates | AI outreach & CRM tools | Stob.AI – Sales Turbo system |
| Marketing Specialist | Post creation, scheduling, moderation | AI content engine | Stob.AI – Content Marketing Engine |
| Drive-Thru Cashier | Taking spoken orders | AI voice assistant | Wendy’s – FreshAI chatbot |
Stob.AI’s Approach: From AI Tools to an AI Workforce
Stob.AI focuses on transforming AI from helper to autonomous employee. Their agents perform the jobs of writers, sales reps, marketers, and support staff by integrating with business tools to run entire workflows.
Stob.AI uses a “Software as a Workforce (SaaW)” model, allowing companies to hire AI agents to replace or augment staff. These AI agents operate 24/7, enabling scalability without increased headcount.
Benefits of Replacing Humans with AI
- Cost Efficiency: Reduce salaries and overheads. Example: Klarna saves massively on staffing with its AI chatbot.
- Productivity & Scale: AI can handle thousands of tasks 24/7 without breaks.
- Consistency: AI performs reliably with minimal error across repetitive tasks.
- Innovation: AI enables creation of entirely new services/products (e.g. automated blog generation).
- Speed: Instant response times and rapid process completion.
Challenges and Ethical Considerations
- Job Displacement: AI can eliminate millions of jobs, especially in repetitive roles.
- Bias & Ethics: AI decisions can be unfair if not audited and trained responsibly.
- Loss of Human Touch: AI may lack empathy, creativity, or contextual understanding.
- Privacy & Security: AI systems must be protected against data breaches and misuse.
- Legal Risks: Accountability and compliance issues may arise when AI takes over jobs.
- Employee Morale: Over-automation can demotivate human staff and harm brand reputation.
Conclusion
From Klarna’s chatbot to Stob.AI’s autonomous agents, AI is already replacing real human jobs across industries. This creates immense opportunities for growth, speed, and efficiency if handled wisely. But the transition must be managed with ethical foresight, legal awareness, and human-centered design.
The future will likely be hybrid: AI systems performing high-volume work at speed, with humans orchestrating, overseeing, and ensuring quality and innovation. In that future, your next hire might not be human but it will still need leadership.
