Being an AI-First Member of the Team – The New Baseline Expectation
A few days ago, I came across this internal memo from Shopify’s CEO, Tobi Lütke, which he decided to publicly share because it was already in the process of being leaked. The memo was honest, direct, and (to me) deeply resonant.
“Reflexive AI usage is now a baseline expectation at Shopify.”
That line stopped me in my tracks. The memo was written for a tech company, sure – but the implications for commercial real estate were just as profound. If AI has already become foundational in fast-moving sectors like e-commerce, can we afford to move slow in CRE?
Spoiler: we can’t afford to move slow.
Why Shopify’s AI Mandate Matters to CRE
Tobi’s memo is as direct as it is sweeping. It makes the case that AI is a tool that multiplies everything else. And that at Shopify, using AI reflexively – as naturally as you’d use a keyboard – is now a baseline expectation. Not an add-on. Not a “nice to have.” A requirement.
He describes how top performers at Shopify are already using AI as a thought partner, researcher, code assistant, and creative engine. They’re doing things that would have been implausible just a year ago. And they’re not doing it with elaborate AI labs or dedicated ops teams—they’re just learning by doing, sharing what works, and building new habits, fast.
The most interesting part? He says AI is changing work so fundamentally that it’s now a prerequisite for growth. Stagnation, in this world, is just slow-motion failure. So before you ask for more headcount or budget at Shopify, you better have an answer to the question: Why can’t this be done with AI?
That hit me.
Because while we don’t use Shopify’s GSD framework in CRE, we do live in a world where expectations (and rates) are rising, bandwidth is shrinking, and the deals aren’t getting any easier. The environments may be different, but the message is the same: figure out how to make AI part of your craft—or risk being left behind.
The Shift Is Happening as We Speak
In our corner of the world, the shift to AI-powered work is coming, with many of us already leveraging it extensively. Consider what many CRE professionals now do regularly:
- Prompt ChatGPT or Claude for summaries or abstractions of documents or reports
- Use platforms like Gumloop or n8n or CRE Agents to automate highly repetitive tasks
- Draft investment memos or offering memorandums with AI input
- Analyze models or debug formulas with the help of generative tools (have you tried the AI integration in our free Excel 4 CRE add-in?)
In short, the work is changing. Fast. AI is to this decade what personal computing skills was to the 1980s and 1990s. It’s a skill that is quickly becoming a baseline expectation by employers.
Those who treat it as such will be the ones who lead the next generation of real estate.
Hence, Why A.CRE Is All in on AI Training
That’s why we recently launched our Artificial Intelligence in Commercial Real Estate course inside the Accelerator. This is the first step in what will eventually become a comprehensive program built to equip CRE professionals and companies with the AI skills they need to stay relevant and competitive.
From the beginning, A.CRE’s mission has been to democratize and accelerate learning in commercial real estate. And as AI becomes more foundational to the way deals are sourced, evaluated, closed, and managed, this mission naturally extends to helping our community master the tools of tomorrow.
Dozens of Free Resources—And More on the Way
Our course is just one part of the puzzle. We’ve also been curating and creating dozens of free AI resources for commercial real estate professionals to help them get started, experiment, and go deeper:
- Custom GPTs tailored to CRE workflows
- Blog posts walking through AI use cases
- Video tutorials, walkthroughs, and prompt templates
- Real-time tool demos and community discussions
And we’re just getting started. New ideas and tools are dropping almost weekly.
This is a shared journey. We’re learning, building, and sharing right alongside you.
A Call to Action: Learn AI Like Your Career Depends on It (Because It Might)
Here’s the real takeaway the Shopify Memo: Don’t wait.
If you’re not already experimenting with AI in your work, start today. Get curious. Try new tools. Ask AI to co-pilot your next task—even if you’re not sure what to expect.
This isn’t about hype or fear—it’s about possibility. The future is being written by those who are learning how to work with these tools now.
And we’re here to help you every step of the way.
Frequently Asked Questions about Being an AI-First Member of the Team in CRE
What does “AI-first” mean in a CRE context?
It means making AI an integral part of daily workflows—using it “reflexively” as a standard skill, not an optional tool. As the article puts it, “figure out how to make AI part of your craft—or risk being left behind.”
Why is Shopify’s AI memo relevant to commercial real estate?
Shopify’s CEO declared AI use as a “baseline expectation.” The memo underscores how top performers already rely on AI for research, coding, and ideation. CRE professionals face similar pressures: “expectations (and rates) are rising, bandwidth is shrinking, and the deals aren’t getting any easier.”
What AI use cases are already common in CRE today?
Common uses include:
Summarizing or abstracting reports
Automating tasks via platforms like Gumloop or n8n
Drafting investment memos with AI help
Debugging financial models with AI tools (e.g., Excel 4 CRE add-in)
Why is AI becoming a baseline expectation in CRE?
Because it’s becoming essential to compete. “AI is to this decade what personal computing skills was to the 1980s and 1990s.” It amplifies output and efficiency, and employers increasingly expect it as a core competency.
What is A.CRE doing to support AI learning in CRE?
They’ve launched an “Artificial Intelligence in Commercial Real Estate” course inside the Accelerator and are curating free resources like:
Custom GPTs for CRE workflows
AI blog posts and use cases
Prompt templates and tutorials
Real-time demos and discussions
What is the author’s call to action for CRE professionals?
“Don’t wait.” The author urges professionals to begin using AI now, test tools, and build habits. “Ask AI to co-pilot your next task—even if you’re not sure what to expect.” This shift is about embracing possibility, not reacting to fear.
