Shopify’s AI Revolution: One-Prompt Stores and Smarter Sidekicks

The Future of E-Commerce Is Here—and It’s Voice-Activated

Shopify just dropped a suite of AI tools that could redefine how merchants build and run online stores. At its biannual Edition launch day, the platform unveiled an AI store builder that generates a full storefront from a single prompt—think “tennis gear and stylish athleisure”—and spits out a ready-to-launch site. No coding? No problem. The system also includes an AI generator for banners and other non-coded elements, letting sellers tweak designs manually after the fact.

“We’re turning hours of setup into seconds,” a Shopify rep told WIRED. “Describe your brand, and the AI handles the rest.”

But the upgrades don’t stop there. Shopify’s Sidekick, the AI commerce assistant that went wide in December 2024, now boasts voice chat and screen sharing. Need to ask about tariff rules while checking inventory? Just talk to it. The assistant, which saw monthly users more than double by early 2025, is also now embedded in Shopify’s mobile app—making it a true on-the-go partner for entrepreneurs.

Themes That Think for Themselves

Shopify’s new public theme, “Horizon,” takes AI integration further. It ships with built-in AI for real-time design adjustments and “Theme Blocks,” modular sections that let merchants drag, drop, and customize without touching a line of code. It’s part of Shopify’s push to make advanced tools accessible to sellers at every skill level.

“AI isn’t just a feature—it’s the foundation,” said Shopify’s CEO in a recent memo, hinting at AI’s role in streamlining operations with smaller teams.

The message is clear: Shopify is betting big on AI to democratize e-commerce. Whether it’s a Sidekick that chats or a store that builds itself, the platform is cutting the friction out of selling online. For small businesses, that could mean less time wrestling with tech—and more time connecting with customers.