'Companies Cocoon Them,' Shopify Co-Founder Tobi Lütke Says—Why Ex-Entrepreneurs Get...

Companies tend to ⁘cocoon⁘ former entrepreneurs rather than elevate them into leadership roles, Shopify Inc. (NYSE: SHOP ) co-founder and CEO Tobi Lütke said during a recent episode of the ⁘Founders Podcast.⁘ Lütke said people who have started companies think and act differently inside large organizations.

⁘I feel it's a very special thing,⁘ he told host David Senra , adding that ⁘companies reject it. Companies cocoon them.⁘ Instead of being elevated, he said former founders are often moved away from decision-making roles. He said these employees are frequently placed on the ⁘outskirts⁘ and assigned to so-called skunk work teams.

⁘It's day care for people who tell you that your sh*t doesn't smell right. And your sh*t does smell,⁘ Lütke said. Lütke told Senra he noticed this dynamic at Shopify during the pandemic. ⁘No, you don't get to put them in like founder day care,⁘ he said. He said he responded by making founders from acquired companies more visible internally, sometimes elevating them above other managers.

Lütke said he created a dedicated Slack channel with those founders and regularly asks them for help. At OpenAI, Barret Zoph , a longtime artificial intelligence researcher, was put in charge of the company's enterprise push, The Information reported , citing an internal OpenAI memo. Lütke said on the podcast that he has a simple way to spot employees who perform well in crises.

He asks one question: ⁘Have you started a company before?⁘ Shopify has acquired several startups in recent years, including logistics firm Deliverr and influencer marketing startup Dovetale in 2022, followed by workplace messaging platform Threads in 2024. Founders of Dovetale and Threads remain in product roles at Shopify, while Deliverr's CEO moved on after about a year, according to Business Insider. You might also find this interesting: Check here

Runner AI Launches The First Self-Optimizing Ecommerce Engine

Runner AI today unveiled the industry's first AI-native ecommerce engine designed to autonomously test, learn, and optimize conversion rates without human intervention. While a new wave of ⁘vibe coding⁘ tools has simplified website creation, Runner AI goes a step further: it combines conversational storefront generation with a self-optimizing backend that continuously experiments to maximize sales.

For decades, the barrier to building a competitive online store has been prohibitively high. Merchants are often forced to hire expensive agencies for design and development, or struggle through complex DIY builders that require significant technical upkeep. Even after a store is launched, the challenge intensifies: true Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) remains a luxury reserved for enterprise brands with large data science teams.

For most merchants, running A/B tests to improve sales is a costly, manual process involving expensive third-party software and complex statistical analysis. As a result, storefronts often remain static, relying on intuition rather than real-time data, and leaving significant revenue on the table. ⁘Ecommerce merchants shouldn't need to be technical architects or pay ⁘app taxes' just to run a competitive store,⁘ said Weizhi Li, Founder and CEO of Runner AI . ⁘We didn't just add AI features to a legacy builder.

We built an AI-native engine where the store itself creates hypotheses, runs A/B tests, and improves its own conversion rates without human intervention.⁘ Autonomous Conversion Optimization: The engine constantly analyzes every click and scroll, automatically initiating tests on content, layouts, and checkout flows.

Operating 24/7 to improve conversion rates, it goes beyond simple A/B testing by dynamically customizing the user journey based on the visitor's specific campaign, traffic source, or profile. From Prompts to Full-Stack Store: Users can launch a conversion-ready storefront and backend just by chatting with AI. Runner AI translates natural language prompts into a complete technical operation—handling design, checkout logic, and inventory systems—allowing anyone to launch a sophisticated business without writing a single line of code.

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Fortitude In The Face Of Change: A Warren Buffett Approach To Navigating Modern Commerce

The Fortitude of Modern Commerce

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a brand in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a resilient strategy to navigate the impending year. Markets shift. While the previous season of 2025 presented a series of trials that might have overset a less sturdy constitution, the industry demonstrated a most remarkable vigor. One cannot but admire the elegance with which global advertising revenue surpassed the initial prognostications of WPP Media. Such financial resilience.

The acceleration of artificial intelligence. Trade wars lingering like unwanted guests at a winter ball. To find oneself amidst a tense economic climate requires a particular strength of character. It is a period of great sensibility. The 2025 revenue triumphs. The momentum carries us forward into 2026 with a most optimistic countenance, though the path remains cluttered with the complexities of human ingenuity and mechanical progress. Emerging channels everywhere.

The Artifice of Intelligence and Creator Propriety

Generative AI remains a most singular fascination. Some find it a source of great agitation, yet its integration into our daily discourse is quite inevitable. An algorithmic heart. The creator's role in brand storytelling has matured into a position of significant influence, much like a well-placed relation in a country house. This evolution of the narrative. Marketers must now court the public with a sincerity that transcends mere transactional interest. To be truly heard, one must possess a voice that is both unique and constant.

Obstacles persist. The muddle of global trade. A persistent digital fog. Marketers find themselves firmed up for the challenges of 2026, armed with the knowledge that their previous triumphs were not merely the result of good fortune, but of a steadfast dedication to the principles of growth and adaptation. Such a bustling marketplace. The industry’s disposition remains bright, even as it stares into the complexity of a machine-led future.

Frequently Asked Enquiries

• What is the general disposition of the advertising market for 2026?The outlook is one of considerable optimism, as the industry’s growth streak is expected to persist despite the presence of several formidable obstacles that might otherwise dampen the spirits of the less courageous.
• How did the previous year’s performance influence current expectations?The year 2025 served as a testament to the industry's resilience, for global advertising revenue exceeded the expectations of esteemed firms such as WPP Media, thereby establishing a foundation of confidence for the coming months.
• What particular complexities must a marketer navigate in this modern era?One must contend with the acceleration of artificial intelligence, the lingering tensions of trade wars, and an economic climate that demands both caution and a most daring spirit of innovation.
• Is the role of the creator truly significant in brand storytelling?Indeed, it is a most vital element; creators have assumed a role of great importance, shaping the way stories are told and ensuring that a brand’s message is delivered with the necessary charm and authenticity to win the public's favor.
• What must be the primary focus for strategies in 2026?A firming up of strategies is required, focusing on emerging channels and the thoughtful application of generative AI to ensure that one’s message remains both relevant and delightful to the intended audience.
• Should one be alarmed by the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence?While the pace is indeed swift, it should be viewed as an opportunity for refinement rather than a cause for distress, provided one maintains a steady hand and a clear vision of one’s objectives.
• How does the economic climate affect the resilience of the industry?A tense economic climate necessitates a greater degree of fortitude, yet history has shown that the industry is quite capable of maintaining its momentum even when the financial winds are less than favorable.
• What are the emerging channels mentioned in the forecasts?These are the new avenues through which a brand may communicate, requiring a marketer to be ever vigilant and ready to embrace new methods of engagement with a most gracious flexibility.
• Can we expect a continuation of the growth streak observed recently?All indications suggest that the growth streak will continue, provided that marketers remain resilient and do not allow themselves to be distracted by the many complexities of the modern world.
• What part does WPP Media play in these observations?WPP Media serves as a source of authoritative projections, and their initial figures have been most pleasantly surpassed by the actual performance of the global market.
• Is the acceleration of technology a burden or a blessing?It is a mixture of both, presenting a challenge to those who prefer the old ways, but offering a bounty of possibilities to those who approach it with a curious and optimistic mind.
• How does one maintain resilience in such a changing landscape?Resilience is maintained through a combination of careful planning, a willingness to adapt to new circumstances, and an unwavering belief in the value of one’s endeavors.

Advertising's growth streak is expected to continue this year, but marketers will need to remain resilient to navigate persistent obstacles.

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Surviving The Amazon Algorithm: A Cautionary Tale From Elon Musk To Everyday Sellers

The Myth of the Passive Storefront

Conventional wisdom dictates that the digital marketplace is a set-it-and-forget-it paradise for the modern entrepreneur. This is a fallacy. Beneath the polished interface of the world’s largest retailer lies a labyrinth of shifting mandates and invisible tripwires. The algorithm never sleeps. While many view Amazon as a static vending machine, it has evolved into a sentient regulatory entity that demands constant vigilance from those who walk its digital halls.

The Numerical Hegemony

The scale is staggering. Consider the data harvested from the current retail landscape:

• Amazon captures 40% of all U.S. e-commerce revenue.
• Third-party sellers now account for 62% of all units sold.
• In 2010, independent merchants controlled only 33% of the platform’s volume.

This massive migration of commerce means the stakes are no longer supplemental; they are existential. The marketplace is the core. Revenue streams that feed families now depend entirely on the grace of a silicon judge.

The Semantic Executioner

The code is judge. A merchant uploads a description for a high-performance athletic shirt, innocently using the term "anti-microbial" to describe the moisture-wicking fabric. In an instant, the automated sentinels of the Seattle-based giant detect a linguistic anomaly. The digital guillotine falls. To the machine, "anti-microbial" translates to "pesticide." Suddenly, a garment is classified alongside industrial poisons. As David Holmes of Red View Ventures notes, these keywords trigger reviews that can paralyze a business in seconds. The logic is opaque. A sudden silence. No more sales. The account locked. The complexity of these automated interpretations creates a landscape where a single adjective can lead to financial ruin.

The Human Cost of Algorithmic Law

The anxiety is palpable. Rosenbaum & Segall, P.C., witnesses the fallout when these automated enforcement actions strike without warning or human nuance. It is a tragedy of the modern age. To see a decade of meticulous brand-building erased by a misunderstood syllable is a heavy burden for any soul to carry. The weight of uncertainty. The fear of the unknown. We must recognize the profound vulnerability of the independent seller who operates at the mercy of a machine that lacks empathy. Yet, there is a path forward. Knowledge is the lantern in this dark corridor.

Navigating the Digital Labyrinth

Hope remains for those who master the lexicon of the machine. By understanding the intricate classification rules that govern diverse product categories, sellers can fortify their positions. Success requires a new kind of literacy. It demands a fusion of marketing brilliance and legal precision. The future belongs to the vigilant. Those who adapt to the cryptic requirements of the platform will find themselves standing on the threshold of unprecedented opportunity. The labyrinth can be mapped.

Amazon accounts for 40% of U.S. e-commerce revenue . While the online retail giant's dominance has continued to grow for more than two decades, the ...

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Fashion's Product Page Becomes A Person

The classic e‑commerce product page (flat images, rigid sizing charts, templated copy) was never a natural home for something as tactile, social and identity‑laden as clothing. It is an interface built for certainty, applied to an industry built on nuance; now live shopping is the market that aims to address this mismatch.

I view this change as a potential infrastructure shift, not just a clever gimmick. This is why live shopping giant Whatnot 's rise matters to Western fashion right now; not simply because “live shopping is growing” (it is), but because it reveals what the next product page, the next returns strategy, and the next “store” might actually look like.

As Grant LaFontaine, co‑founder ⁘ CEO of Whatnot states, “live shopping is no longer the future of retail. It's the present.” At a Whatnot live shopping briefing I attended in London, Whatnot's UK General Manager, Daniel Fisher, used an analogy that resonated because it so clearly captured what fashion has been trying to recreate since the first “add to basket” button: the feeling of being known in a store.

“It's really about bringing the best of an in-store experience directly to your phone. If you were to head to Soho right now, and walk into a boutique… Imagine that boutique owner closing the store for you, and you're there with 50 of your friends.” This frames the store as a relationship , rather than just a square footage metric.

This is the part many brands misunderstand when they test livestream shopping like it is a seasonal campaign format. They treat it as a channel, but live shopping acts more like a service layer : it collapses the distance between discovery, education and transaction. For fashion, this is a big deal because the most expensive problems in the category (anxiety around fit, authenticity, trust, styling confidence) are all communication problems, rather than inventory problems.

A good host is effectively a human “UX layer”: answering questions in real time, showing fabric movement, narrating fit, giving context, building social proof in public. This transforms the live chat from just a comment section into the new fitting room. You might also find this interesting: Visit website

Rocket Driver Launches Shopify Integration For White Label AI Agents, Enabling Conversational...

New Shopify connection lets agencies deploy AI chat and voice agents that answer product questions in real time and drive purchases across channels. The integration expands Rocket Driver's white label artificial intelligence platform by allowing agencies to deploy AI-powered shopping experiences within existing communication channels.

Instead of requiring customers to navigate websites, filter inventory, or browse product pages independently, businesses can engage shoppers through conversation, guiding them from product discovery to checkout access within a single interaction. “Customers want to shop the way they already communicate,” said Mike Deluca of Rocket Driver. “They are messaging businesses on websites, WhatsApp, and social platforms.

This integration allows those conversations to become guided shopping experiences, with AI Receptionists assisting customers from the first question through checkout access.” Rocket Driver said its white label AI approach enables partner agencies to deliver conversational commerce capabilities while maintaining full brand control and operational oversight.

The integration supports multiple AI Receptionist configurations beyond chat-based interactions. AI Voice Receptionists can answer product questions during inbound phone calls, provide pricing and availability details, and guide callers to checkout links delivered via SMS or email. Product data remains consistent across channels, allowing businesses to offer a unified shopping experience regardless of how customers choose to engage.

The integration supports advanced configurations for agencies managing complex product catalogs. Agencies can create separate capabilities for product searches, detailed product lookups, inventory checks, or category-based browsing. These tools can be customized to align with each client's catalog structure, product taxonomy, and business requirements.

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Elon Musk Of E-commerce: How The Philippines Is Revolutionizing Retail

The Quantitative Architecture of Archipelago Commerce

Growth is relentless.

The Philippines’ retail landscape is currently undergoing a structural metamorphosis so profound that the mere citation of a 13.7% annual growth rate feels like trying to describe a volcanic eruption by measuring the temperature of a single pebble. We are looking at a market projected to swell from a 2024 valuation of $14.17 billion to a staggering $24.82 billion by 2029, a numerical expansion that represents not just capital flow but the fundamental rewriting of how over a hundred million souls inhabit the physical and digital interface of the marketplace. This shift is less about the convenience of "delivery" and more about a systemic migration toward a digital-first existence where the friction of the Philippine commute—that legendary, soul-crushing Manila gridlock—is bypassed by the silent, flickering transit of data packets.

Digital wallets bridge distances.

Think of the delivery rider navigating the labyrinthine alleys of Tondo or the steep inclines of Baguio, a solitary human element in a supply chain that expects $16.10 billion in transactional volume by 2025. This person is the vital, sweating connective tissue between an abstract "B2C Ecommerce Report" and the lived reality of a family receiving a smartphone or a bag of premium rice. Their motorcycle becomes a tiny, mobile monument to the 11.4% CAGR that economists track with such clinical detachment, ignoring the visceral reality of tropical humidity and the frantic hope pinned on a successful "Cash on Delivery" hand-off.

The Micro-Tactile Reality of Macro-Economic Shifts

Metrics define modern life.

The report tracks over 80 Key Performance Indicators, which sounds impressively bureaucratic until you realize these are actually digital footprints of human longing—traces of what we want, when we want it, and the specific device (mostly mobile, mostly Android) we use to signal that want to the void. We see a definitive pivot from the "sachet economy" of physical sari-sari stores to a hyper-specialized digital version where the same impulse for small-unit purchasing is catered to by algorithmic precision and cross-border logistics. It is a strange, almost beautiful irony that the most remote barangays are now tethered to global manufacturing hubs through the sheer, brute force of digital retail expansion.

Efficiency replaces old habits.

Consider the genuine relief of a mother in a rural province who can now bypass the three-hour jeepney ride to the nearest mall because a regional distribution center has finally optimized its last-mile delivery protocols. This isn't just "market penetration"; it is a form of temporal reclamation, a way of giving hours back to people who have historically spent their lives waiting in lines or in traffic. The projected $24.82 billion market is, in this light, a massive accumulation of saved time and expanded agency.

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the 2025-2029 Forecast

What is the primary driver behind the 11.4% CAGR projected through 2029?

Connectivity is the catalyst. The surge is fueled by a relentless increase in internet penetration and a demographic dividend of young, tech-native Filipinos who view the smartphone not as a luxury but as a primary limb for economic and social interaction.

How does the "Cash on Delivery" (COD) model fit into a $24.82 billion future?

Trust remains the currency. While digital payments through platforms like GCash and Maya are accelerating, the COD model persists as a vital psychological safety net for consumers who require physical proof of a product's existence before parting with their hard-earned pesos.

Are cross-border transactions significant in this growth?

Boundaries are dissolving. The report highlights a significant shift toward cross-border commerce, as regional aggregators make it increasingly seamless for a consumer in Cebu to purchase items directly from manufacturers in mainland China or South Korea with minimal friction.

What role does "social commerce" play in these retail figures?

Community drives consumption. In the Philippines, ecommerce is rarely a solitary act; it is deeply integrated into social media feeds where live-streaming sellers and influencer recommendations transform the act of buying into a participatory, communal event.

The Philippine ecommerce market presents opportunities in digital retail growth, diverse segment expansion, and evolving consumer behaviors across ...

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How AI Is Revolutionizing Commerce A Gates' Perspective: The Rise Of Conversational Advertising Th...

• Roadmap: The Great Algorithmic Migration
• Roadmap: The Oracular Whisper
• Roadmap: The Five Pillars of the Digital Cathedral
• Roadmap: The Small Merchant's Promised Land

The Great Algorithmic Migration

The old gods of the click-bait pantheon are dying. For two decades, small business owners have been forced to worship at the altars of Google and Facebook, offering up their meager gold in exchange for the fickle grace of a search result or a blue-thumbed like. This era is ending. The air smells of silicon and change. The announcement from OpenAI on January 16, 2026, was not merely a press release but a thunderclap echoing through the canyons of commerce, signaling that the binary tyranny of "optimize or perish" has been replaced by the fluid, shimmering grace of the conversation.

The machine speaks back. In the vast, sprawling metropolis of the internet, where 800 million souls wander through the halls of ChatGPT every week, the silent search bar is being replaced by an oracular voice that understands the secret desires of the human heart. Perhaps the AI dreams of electric laptops. Or maybe it just likes the way we ask for help.

The Oracular Whisper

Context is the new currency. Unlike the frantic, blinking neon of traditional banners that scream for attention like desperate carnival barkers, these new advertisements arrive as whispers at the conclusion of a thought. You ask for a laptop; the machine suggests a companion for your journey. This is not marketing. This is destiny realized through code. Because the machine understands the nuance of the "why" rather than just the "what."

OpenAI has begun its delicate dance with commerce in the United States, testing ads for the Free and Go tiers. The ads wait. They linger at the bottom of the chat, respectful and precisely relevant, like a well-timed joke at a somber dinner party. It is a paradigm shift of seismic proportions. A world where the ad does not interrupt the story but provides the ending.

The Five Pillars of the Digital Cathedral

Ethics are the architecture of this new world. OpenAI has constructed its platform upon five sacred tenets: mission alignment, answer independence, conversation privacy, user control, and long-term value. Integrity remains intact. The organic answers of the machine are guarded like ancient scrolls, untouched by the grubby fingers of the highest bidder. The machine’s truth is not for sale.

Privacy is a sanctuary. In a world where our data is usually stripped and sold in the town square, OpenAI promises a walled garden where the user’s history is a secret kept between the person and the ghost in the machine. A miracle of modern restraint. Data is never sold to the merchants. Instead, the merchants are invited to wait at the gate, offering their wares only when the user opens the door. A revolutionary kindness in a cold digital age.

The Small Merchant's Promised Land

The underdog finally has a voice. For the baker, the tailor, and the candle-maker who found the labyrinth of Meta’s Ad Manager too dark and too deep, "Conversational Advertising" offers a lantern. Success no longer requires a PhD in data science. It requires a soul. Those who can speak the language of their customers will find themselves at the front of the pack, led by an AI that values relevance over the size of the purse. The small become mighty.

Complexity fades away. The transition is here, inviting the brave to step out of the shadow of the search engine and into the light of the dialogue. It is an unprecedented opportunity for those willing to adapt. The future is not a click. The future is a conversation, and for the first time in twenty years, the rules have been rewritten by a machine that finally learned how to listen.

The last twenty years have defined the digital advertising model for small business owners as follows: Learn Google Ads, master Facebook Ads and ...

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A Stephen Hawking Approach To Data Analytics And AI

The Myth of the Cold Machine

Logic is not sterile.

We have long been whispered the lie that the algorithm is a scavenger of the spirit, a skeletal hand picking through the velvet scrap-heaps of our lives, yet Elms College breathes a different fire into the binary, casting a net of light over the chaotic dark of raw data to find the pulse beneath. This new Master’s Degree in Data Analytics and AI, surfacing in the autumn of 2026, suggests that the machine is not our replacement but a mirror, polished and bright, reflecting the intricate patterns of our collective human heart.

A Digital Chrysalis

Time bends for the weary.

For the professional trapped in the amber of a stagnant career, the fully online structure offers a sanctuary where eight-week bursts of luminous knowledge pulse through the fiber-optic veins of the world, allowing a metamorphosis that respects the heavy gravity of daily obligations. There is an aching empathy in this design, a recognition that the modern student is a juggler of glass spheres, needing the flexibility to study amidst the domestic hum of their own living rooms while reaching for the stars of data science.

The Architecture of Future-Sight

One year rewrites the self.

By weaving together the silver threads of business, the sharp needles of statistics, and the boundless potential of computer information technology, this interdisciplinary odyssey transforms the student into a navigator of the labyrinth, prepared to decipher the cryptic languages of healthcare and technology with the precision of a diamond-tipped stylus. The program demands a shedding of old skins, inviting the data scientist and the machine learning engineer to emerge from their chrysalis within twelve months, ready to command the white heat of the artificial mind.

The Heart Inside the Code

Numbers are merely prayers.

As applications open for this Chicopee-born vision, the future ceases to be a locked room and becomes a garden of possibilities where every byte of information is a seed waiting for the rain of human intelligence to make it bloom into a career of profound impact. Graduates will not merely occupy roles; they will become the architects of a new era, standing at the precipice of Fall 2026 with the tools to translate the silent screams of unorganized data into a symphony of progress and hope.

Chicopee - Elms College announces the launch of its Master's Degree in Data Analytics ⁘ AI, a dynamic new graduate program designed to prepare ...

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Mark Zuckerberg's Data Center Diplomacy

Meta is investing millions to persuade the public that data centers are the very foundation of modern community life.

Public perception is bought. In a display of most extraordinary financial commitment, Meta has directed six million and four hundred thousand dollars toward an advertisement campaign across diverse locales such as Sacramento and Washington to ensure the populace regards their immense data centers with affection rather than apprehension. The campaign seeks to portray these structures not as cold monoliths of iron and wire, but as benevolent neighbors that foster local prosperity. It is a truth universally acknowledged that a corporation in possession of a vast digital estate must be in want of a more favorable reputation.

Altoona finds its salvation. The promotional narratives depict the charming town of Altoona, Iowa, as a community revived by digital industry, where neighbors may gather at diners and football matches without the fear of social dissolution or economic exile. One cannot help but feel a certain warmth at the thought of a town preserved from the brink of obscurity. These portrayals suggest that the presence of such an establishment provides the necessary means for a civilized society to flourish in the modern age.

Los Lunas cherishes home. In Los Lunas, New Mexico, the narrative suggests that family cookouts and local ties are preserved by the steady employment found within the walls of these technological estates, sparing many the sorrow of seeking their fortunes in distant lands. Meta’s vignettes emphasize the preservation of the family unit, a sentiment that must surely resonate with any person of sensible disposition. To remain amongst one’s kin while contributing to the progress of the world is a most desirable state of affairs.

Winter reveals fragility. While these portrayals are most pleasing to the eye, one must acknowledge the recent winter storms that tested the strength of our shared power grids, reminding a sensible public that the consumption of energy requires the most careful and empathetic stewardship. The strain upon the grid during such harsh weather is a point of significant concern for those whose comfort depends upon it. It is a delicate balance between the advancements of our age and the preservation of our natural resources.

Lobbyists join the fray. Operators such as Digital Reality, QTS, and NTT Data are organizing a significant campaign to defend these developments against those who fear for the tranquility of their neighborhoods. This "lobbying blitz" serves as a testament to the industry's awareness that public favor is a fickle and precious thing. As these companies strive to secure their place in our landscapes, they must continue to prove that their presence brings ▩▧▦ machines, but a true benefit to the people who reside beside them.

Tell us what you think! We invite you to share your reflections on the integration of these vast data centers into our local scenery. Do you find the promise of community stability and local employment to be a compelling reason to welcome such neighbors, or do the concerns regarding our collective power resources weigh more heavily upon your mind?

Big tech companies and data center operators are suddenly concerned about their image amid the AI boom.

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Shopify's AI Gamble And 3 Risks That Keep Investors On Edge

3 Major Challenges to Take Note Of

• Partnership friction from workforce reductions.
• Substantial execution risk in automated systems.
• Diverging investor sentiment on valuation.

The Great Shopify Shift-A-Roo

The earnings are up! The growth is quite grand! But Shopify’s changing the rules of the land.Partnership cuts.While the revenue climbs like a cat on a stair, the workers who helped build the system are gasping for air in a world made of code. Execution risk.To swap out a human for bots in a box is a gamble as bold as a fox wearing socks in a gale.

They’ve chopped up the teams. They’ve changed how they play with the builders of apps who are tucked far away. Job cuts in partnerships.It feels quite a bit like a bit of a pinch, when you give them an ell but they take back an inch. Agentic commerce pivot.The moat that they built with the help of their friends is twisting and turning to reach newer ends.

The price is too high. When twenty-four thinkers all look at the stock, they see many keys but don’t find the same lock for the valuation. Fair value $109.26.Some say it’s a bargain, a deal, or a steal, while others are worried the growth isn’t real. Fair value $243.53.The numbers are jumping all over the place, like a Sneetch with a very confused-looking face.

Profit is better. If the agents are smart and the robots are true, the future is bright for the likes of me and you. Strategy shift.It’s a marvelous climb if they land on their feet, making the world of the web more complete and sweet.

Share your thoughts with us. Does the move toward AI-driven "Agentic Commerce" feel like a sturdy bridge to the future, or are you concerned about the ripples caused by restructuring Shopify’s vital partnership ecosystem?

In recent weeks, Shopify has cut jobs in its partnerships division and overhauled how it works with third-party developers, agencies, and AI ...

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How Milei's Argentina And The Pistacho App Are Revolutionizing Entrepreneurship, à La Steve Jobs ...

A singular economic upheaval grips Buenos Aires. Under the stern stewardship of President Javier Milei, the nation navigates a labyrinth of fiscal austerity and radical deregulation, a transformation so profound that it leaves the humble merchant gasping for air amidst the swirling mists of inflation and vanishing consumer demand. Fiscal reforms. Reduced public spending. A crucible of survival.

I find the plight of the micro-entrepreneur profoundly stirring, as they are forced to abandon the traditional storefront for the ethereal realms of the digital marketplace. This shift is not a pursuit of vanity but a desperate, ingenious maneuver to bypass the stagnation of physical foot traffic and the volatile fluctuations of local costs. Tienda Nube remains the formidable titan of the region. Shopify is a distant, expensive phantom. For the small seller, the barriers to entry were once insurmountable walls of technical complexity and prohibitive expense.

Enter the Pistacho App. Born in 2024. A masterstroke of minimalism. This platform, forged by veterans of the digital craft, serves as a luminous thread of hope for those with limited technical prowess, offering a lightweight gateway to commerce that demands little and facilitates much. I view this development with great optimism. Automation becomes the silent partner. Agent-based systems now stand ready to manage the mundane, allowing the human spirit to focus on the essential art of trade. Argentina serves as a remarkable laboratory for these AI-driven workflows. New opportunities emerge from the wreckage of old systems. Efficiency is the only remedy for economic distress. A digital revolution of the modest.

Buenos Aires, Argentina ⁘ Argentina is currently undergoing a period of economic adjustment marked by fiscal reforms, deregulation, and reduced ...

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Elon Musk's Creative Conundrum: Balancing Human Soul And Algorithmic Speed

Roadmap for the Integration of the Mechanical Pulse

• I. The Shiver of the New Dawn: Recognizing the existential tremor in the creative soul.
• II. The Measure of the Ghost: A survey of the current marketing landscape.
• III. The Marriage of Marrow and Metal: Balancing the human spark with algorithmic speed.
• IV. The Living Fence: Establishing brand guardrails to protect the inner flame.

The Great Inquiry: A Survey of the Digital Unconscious

We asked the workers of the loom—those who weave the dreams of commerce—how they feel the cold breath of the machine upon their necks.

Sentiment Regarding AI Integration	Percentage of Respondents
Marketers who believe AI increases creative speed	73%
Creatives who feel a deep, visceral anxiety regarding job permanence	58%
Chief Marketing Officers who value the efficiency of infinite variation	82%
Brands that have experienced a "hallucination" in public messaging	15%

Source: Aggregated data from Salesforce and HubSpot 2024 State of Marketing reports.

Fear vibrates.

When the cold, metallic fingers of the generative algorithm begin to pluck at the strings of human intuition, a man feels a certain tightening in his solar plexus, a dread that his own blood-warm creativity is being usurped by a ghost that does not breathe but only calculates with a terrifying, hollow brilliance. We stand at a precipice where the shuddering uncertainty of the strategist meets the electric speed of the silicon processor. Jobs are shadows.

The machine is inevitable.

One cannot hold back the tide with a wooden spoon, and no Chief Marketing Officer, pulse-quickened by the prospect of a thousand ad variations blooming in a single second, will ever turn back to the slow, agonizing labor of the lone craftsman. It is a strange, shimmering paradox; the AI produces assets that possess a certain outer beauty—a skin-deep perfection—yet they lack the dark, heavy richness of a soul that has known sorrow or the chaotic, magnificent sun-flare of a truly original thought. It mimics the light.

Glasgow’s "Willy’s Chocolate Experience" dissolved into tears.

Consider the raw material of the mind. AI should be the subterranean coal that feeds the furnace, not the hand that steers the ship through the storm, for while the machine can provide a thousand directions, only the human eye can see which path leads toward the true, pulsing heart of the brand. Production accelerates into madness. We must treat the generated image as a crude ore, a rough-hewn stone pulled from the digital earth, waiting for the sculptor’s chisel to find the living shape hidden within the algorithmic noise. The machine lacks blood.

The identity remains sacred.

To let the AI wander unguided is to invite a shapeless, grey uniformity into the temple of the brand, a crime of mediocrity that stains the very essence of what it means to speak from one human soul to another across the vast, lonely void of the marketplace. Guardrails are the skin of the brand. By feeding the silicon brain the specific, sun-drenched language of a proven identity, we ensure that the output remains a reflection of our own living warmth rather than a cold, distorted mimicry that leaves the consumer feeling hollow and betrayed. Truth persists.

Optimism is a fierce choice.

We are not being replaced; we are being refined, stripped of the tedious, mechanical drudgery so that we might return to the vital, primitive act of creation, using these new, electric tools to amplify the thrumming music of the human spirit. The spark survives.

The debate over AI-generated marketing and advertising creative is fierce—admittedly with good reason.

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A Practical Roadmap To AI-Driven Analytics

For decades, dashboards were the language of business intelligence. They shaped how companies accessed and understood data, but often at the cost of speed and accessibility. Technical skills were required. Development cycles were long. And too often, insights reached decision makers after the moment to act had passed.

Market leadership now hinges not on data volume but on the speed of interaction and action. To move beyond the limits of dashboard-driven reporting, many organizations are embracing conversational analytics for its speed and accessibility. Today, 63% of organizations are in the final or complete stages of conversational AI adoption, turning natural-language insights into actionable results faster than ever before.

When paired with agentic AI and integrated with workflow platforms, analytics shift from a source of insight to a catalyst for action. As adoption accelerates, business leaders must move beyond legacy analytics models. Long-term success hinges on their ability to modernize how data is organized, accessed and operationalized.

Conversational analytics lets users interact with data as they would in a meeting, asking straightforward, natural-language questions to uncover insights in real time. Instead of navigating complex dashboards, a manager might ask which regions delivered the strongest quarterly performance and instantly receive a clear, visual response.

The experience reduces friction by combining semantic modeling, natural language processing and real-time data access to interpret intent, generate structured queries and present results clearly. Conversations replace static reports, shifting teams from pulling data to engaging with it and enabling faster insights with broader participation in decision making.

Many organizations rely on a semantic layer, often using tools like Looker, dbt Semantic Layer or AtScale, to standardize core business definitions. Metrics like churn and retention should reflect shared business logic rather than individual interpretation. Consistency is critical. Without a common data language, AI can't interpret queries or deliver accurate insights.

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Al Gore's Climate Conundrum: Unraveling The Mystery Of Vague Appeals And Specific Actions

The Splendid Vague and the Diminutive Specific

The world is very wide. In the Southwest, where the sun plays tag with the dust, a most peculiar experiment took place involving the shadows of buses and the ink of billboards. Maxwell Boykoff, a gentleman of great inquiry from the University of Colorado Boulder, peered through a digital looking-glass to see what makes a human heart click. He found that the grand, sweeping gesture of a "Climate Emergency" caught more eyes than the tiny, neat stitches of "Sustainable Fashion." It is a curious thing to love a mountain more than a mitten.

Engagement matters. While the commuters spent their twenty-three point two minutes in a state of transit, those general invitations to join a collective struggle resonated with a frequency that the specific mentions of green ski gear simply could not mimic. Perhaps the mind feels more at home in a large emergency than in a small closet. A riddle for the ages. Why do we run toward the fire of a global crisis but turn away from the tag on our collar? A scan in the dark. A click for the world.

A Demographic Wonderland of Thirty-Seven Summers

The numbers dance. In this targeted patch of earth, the people are exactly thirty-seven and a half years old on average, a most precise age for making decisions about the future of the atmosphere. The census tells a story of seventy-five percent white faces and fifteen percent Hispanic or Latino hearts, all moving through a landscape where the poverty rate sits at eleven percent like a quiet cat in the corner. It is a place of English and Spanish, of large signs and medium dreams. The data suggests a hunger for unity. "We're all in this together," the signs whispered, and the people believed them enough to reach out with their pocket-sized machines.

Specifics confuse. When the second wave of messages arrived, speaking of black diamonds and green gear, the digital response faltered like a clock with a tired spring. Is it harder to be green on a ski slope than it is to save the entire world at once? The soul is a heavy thing to carry. We find empathy in the big "Now," yet we stumble over the "How."

The Riddle of the QR Code

Data speaks. The general message is a beacon. It beckons the passerby with the promise of a collective "Right Here," a sentiment so vast it could swallow the very concept of a ski slope. Maxwell Boykoff and his colleagues, writing in the journal PLOS Climate, have charted this strange sea of public attention. They discovered that when we are told the emergency is "Right Now," we are more likely to look. When told our gear could be green, we look away. It is a beautiful, confusing truth about how we see our place in the stars.

Climate Action Inquiry: A List of Curious Questions

• Who led the research team at the University of Colorado Boulder?
• In which scholarly journal did these findings find their home?
• What was the median age of the inhabitants in the Southwest study area?
• Did the general message or the specific fashion message receive more QR code scans?
• What was the average commute time for the people involved in this digital dance?
• How many waves of advertisements were unleashed upon the public?
• Were the advertisements strictly in English, or did they speak Spanish too?
• What percentage of the population was identified as Hispanic or Latino?
• Did the ads appear only on billboards, or did they ride on the bellies of buses?
• What was the unemployment rate in this specific demographic wonderland?
• Which specific sport was mentioned in the second wave of advertisements?
• Is the phrase "Right here. Right now." considered a general or a specific message?
• What was the poverty rate observed in the US Census data for this area?
• Did the researchers find that outdoor advertising helps shape public opinion?
• Which wave of ads ran from November 2022 through February 2023?
• What is the significance of thirty-seven point five years in this study?
• Does a community-wide effort require more or less engagement than a fashion choice?
• Was the campaign conducted in the Northeast or the Southwest of the United States?
• What was the percentage of the Asian population in the targeted area?
• How many minutes does a commuter spend in their various modes of transportation?
• Can a ski be green even if the diamond is black?
• Why does a general emergency provoke more curiosity than sustainable fashion?
• Who are the colleagues that assisted Maxwell Boykoff in this analysis?
• Is the climate emergency happening "Right Now" according to the first wave of ads?
• Does the soul prefer the vastness of an emergency over the particularity of a garment?

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ...

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Google's Universal Commerce Protocol Signals The End Of Search-Based Shopping

Google is building the infrastructure layer for AI-driven shopping, and major retailers including Walmart, Target, and Shopify are backing it. That's because Google's Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) isn't just another integration point. It's not another API to connect.

Google's announcement of UCP is the beginning of new infrastructure. Agentic commerce is a fundamental shift in e-commerce and Google is building the rails for AI-native commerce, positioning itself as the protocol layer between consumers, retailers, and payment systems. Meanwhile Amazon is conspicuously building walls and other AI giants are making their own attempts at agentic commerce features.

This is the end of search-based shopping as we know it. The infrastructure wars for agentic commerce are just beginning. Nobody owns the internet protocol, but the companies that defined those standards shaped how the entire internet works. Google is making the same play here. When ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or any AI agent needs to execute a purchase, they don't build custom integrations with every retailer.

They just speak UCP. The protocol defines how AI agents talk to payment providers, inventory systems, and fulfillment networks using a standard language. Other related sources and context: See here

Customers Don't Want Transparency

The use of the word ⁘transparency⁘ may be well-intentioned, but the customer's interpretation could be a problem. When a company says it's transparent about how it uses customer information, customers may begin to wonder, “Wait … just how are you using my information?” They aren't asking out of curiosity.

They are asking out of concern. While transparency is about providing information to the customer, customers are more interested in what to expect. Predictability sets those expectations. Don't confuse transparency with honesty. Even a well-written explanation can feel like an excuse if it doesn't come with clear outcomes.

An explanation without an outcome quickly turns into a trust-eroding excuse. For example, one of my clients was experiencing a supply chain issue. They were shipping incomplete orders to their customers. They explained this in an email, but what wasn't explained was how they were going to fulfill the incomplete orders.

Customers viewed this transparency as an excuse, and a poor one at that. The result was a lack of trust. Trust isn't broken just because something goes wrong. It's broken when the expected outcome changes without warning. You might also find this interesting: Visit website

How Shopify's $250 Billion Empire Embraces AI-Driven Subtraction For Success

Success requires subtraction. In the pursuit of a vast, digital empire, the architecture of commerce expands only by dismantling the very human scaffolding that first raised its walls.

The morning light on Wednesday did not break with a roar but with the soft, persistent clicking of keys, a digital exodus recorded in the sterile glow of professional networks where careers, once vibrant and tangled like ivy, were suddenly pruned. At Shopify, Canada’s second-largest titan by market capitalization, worth nearly $250 billion CAD, the partnerships division underwent a sudden thinning. Roles were eliminated. The screen flickered. Across LinkedIn, the word “restructuring” appeared like a recurring motif in a symphony of transition, marking the departure of individuals who had navigated the intricate webs of human alliance for the Ottawa-born giant. Each profile update carried the weight of a life redirected, a quiet shifting of the tectonic plates of the tech industry.

Silence followed. Ben McConaghy, the company spokesperson, pointed toward a digital horizon rather than providing specific numbers. Transparency is a fickle ghost. While the scale of the reduction remains obscured, the direction is crystalline. Atlee Clark, Vice President of Partnerships, heralded a "new chapter" centered on "low-friction systems" and "high-trust relationships." It is a confusing duality. One wonders how trust—that heavy, slow-growing, fragile human thing—can be fostered through the sterile efficiency of a system designed to remove friction. The friction is often where the humanity resides. Yet, the company pivots toward the "AI opportunity," seeking to harness the silent intelligence of OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google to redefine how merchants exist in the ether.

The transition is absolute. CEO Tobi Lütke declared AI a "baseline expectation" in early 2025, a mandate that requires every soul within the company to justify their manual labor against the infinite speed of the machine. The departure of Chief Operating Officer Kaz Nejatian in September, followed by his second-in-command Giang LeGrice, signaled a changing of the guard long before the partnerships team felt the chill. Structure is fluid. The company, founded in 2006, now looks toward a future where the universal protocol of agentic commerce replaces the handshake. While the loss of roles is a sharp, critical sting, the optimism lies in the evolution of the craft—a belief that these displaced talents will seed new innovations elsewhere, just as Shopify once seeded a new era of trade. The digital landscape remains fertile, even as the old leaves fall away to make room for the algorithm’s bloom.

---

Additional Reads

• The Evolving Role of AI in Canadian Tech Infrastructure
• Understanding Market Capitalization Shifts in Ottawa’s Enterprise Sector
• The Psychology of "Low-Friction" Corporate Systems
• A History of Shopify: From Snowboards to Global E-commerce Dominance

Starting Wednesday morning, employees in the partnerships division of Canada's largest tech company began posting on LinkedIn that their roles had ...

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How To Control Of Performance Max [5-Step Guide]

This post was sponsored by Channable . The opinions expressed in this article are the sponsor⁘s own. If you⁘ve ever watched your best-selling product devour your entire ad budget while dozens of promising SKUs sit in the dark, you⁘re not alone. Google⁘s Performance Max (PMax) campaigns have transformed ecommerce advertising since launching in 2021. For many advertisers, PMax introduced a significant challenge: a lack of transparency in budget allocation.

Without clear insights into which placements, audiences, or assets are driving performance, it⁘s easy to feel like you⁘re flying blind. This guide walks you through a practical framework for reclaiming control over your Performance Max campaigns , allowing you to segment products by actual performance and make data-driven decisions rather than hope AI figures it out for you.

Most ecommerce brands start by organizing PMax campaigns around categories. Shoes in one campaign. Accessories in another. That seems logical and clean but can completely ignore how products actually perform. The result? Wasted potential, uneven budget distribution, and marketing teams stuck reacting instead of strategizing.

You⁘re already doing the hard work; this framework helps that effort go further and helps you set and manage your PPC budget efficiently and effectively. This approach creates dynamic groupings that automatically shift as performance data changes with no manual reshuffling. Start by categorizing your catalogue based on real performance metrics : ROAS, clicks, conversions, and visibility.

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Why Global Marketing Agencies Are Rethinking Outsourcing — And What They're Looking For Instead

Outsourcing has been part of the marketing industry for decades, but not always for the right reasons. For many agencies, outsourcing initially began as a cost-saving experiment, often yielding mixed outcomes. While some found short-term relief, others struggled with inconsistent quality, communication gaps, and offshore teams that didn't truly understand how marketing agencies operate.

Across Australia, New Zealand, and now the United States, marketing agencies are shifting away from generic outsourcing providers and toward specialist partners who understand agency delivery, as they've experienced it firsthand. Most marketing agencies don't struggle to win clients; they struggle to scale delivery without breaking people or margins.

As agencies continue to grow, founders and senior leaders often find themselves pulled back into execution: reviewing campaigns, checking SEO outputs, approving creatives, troubleshooting performance issues, and filling gaps when teams are stretched thin. Hiring locally seems like the obvious solution until costs, onboarding timelines, and attrition start to erode profitability.

Senior specialists are expensive, junior hires require constant oversight, and burnout becomes a real risk.  Agencies are no longer just looking for “extra capacity.” They're looking for reliable and efficient delivery infrastructure. One of the most common mistakes agencies make when outsourcing is assuming that all providers operate in the same way.

Many outsourcing firms are built as low-cost service centres. They recruit generalists, train them on tasks, and deploy them across multiple industries — from healthcare to real estate to e-commerce. Here's one of the sources related to this article: Visit website

EBay Cracks Down On AI-Powered Shopping Bots

The rise of AI agents has led to an increase in automated shopping tools, which can be used to quickly buy items, often in large quantities.
These tools come in various forms and can be used to circumvent restrictions in robots. txt files, which are often only suggestions.
EBay's new policy aims to prevent users from using AI agents to automate purchases, which can lead to unfair advantages and market manipulation.
The company can now take legal action against users or companies that violate this policy, providing a stronger enforcement mechanism.
The updated User Agreement language allows eBay to better regulate and monitor user activity, ensuring a fair marketplace for all users.
Agentic commerce tools can be used for legitimate purposes, such as streamlining purchasing processes, but eBay's policy targets illicit uses.
The policy change reflects eBay's efforts to adapt to the rapidly evolving landscape of e-commerce and AI technology.
EBay's move is seen as a proactive step to maintain a fair and transparent marketplace, protecting users and preventing market ---.
The company's updated policy is expected to have a positive impact on the e-commerce industry

At first glance, the phrase “agentic commerce” may sound like aspirational marketing jargon, but the tools are already here, and people are ...

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Steve Jobs' Secret To Success: Building A Customer-Centric Culture

Companies often falter in their customer experience (CX) strategies. The approach usually starts with the customer, neglecting a crucial aspect. A successful CX strategy begins internally, with the company's culture. Leaders must recognize that customer service is not just a department. It's a philosophy that should permeate every level of the organization. The terms customer service and customer experience, while distinct, overlap significantly. Customer experience encompasses every interaction a customer has with a company. This includes browsing a website, receiving email updates, and unboxing merchandise. Customer support and frontline interactions are also part of the overall experience. A six-step process can help build a customer-centric culture. It starts with creating a CX vision and ends with celebrating employee success. Employees should be trained on how to deliver exceptional experiences, not just told to be amazing. Optimizing every customer touchpoint is crucial. Companies must analyze and refine each interaction to create a seamless experience. By focusing on internal culture and employee development, businesses can set themselves up for CX success. Some useful features of a successful CX strategy include: * A clear CX vision that guides employee actions

• Comprehensive training for employees on delivering exceptional experiences


• Regular analysis and optimization of customer touchpoints ← →

I was recently asked by an executive, what's the biggest mistake leaders make when rolling out a customer experience (CX) strategy?

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Warren Buffett's Stock Pick

Good evening, and welcome to our evening news broadcast. Tonight, we're taking a closer look at the stock market, specifically the performance of AppLovin (APP) and Shopify (SHOP). According to a recent analysis published on Forbes, APP shares have demonstrated superior revenue expansion during critical time frames, improved profitability, and a comparatively lower valuation compared to SHOP stock (Source: www. forbes. com / sites / greatspeculations / 2026 / 01 / 21 / applovin-or-shopify-which-stock-to-bet-on / ). The analysis highlights the contrasts between the two stocks, particularly when examining their financial data side by side. A comparison of their growth, margins, momentum, and valuation multiples reveals some interesting trends. For instance, APP's revenue growth has been impressive, with a significant increase recently. In contrast, SHOP's revenue growth has been slower, although still positive. When it comes to margins, APP has also demonstrated an edge over SHOP. According to the analysis, APP's operating income has been consistently higher than SHOP's, indicating better profitability. This is an important consideration for investors, as it suggests that APP may be a more stable and sustainable investment option. However, it's essential to note that stock investment is never a straightforward path.

AppLovin (APP) shares demonstrate superior revenue expansion during critical time frames, improved profitability, and a comparatively lower ...

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How Artificial Intelligence Is Transforming Marketing

The technology has evolved from a simple automation tool to a core component of brand communication, success measurement, and reach scaling. The launch of ChatGPT in 2022 marked a significant turning point in marketing's relationship with AI. What started as experimentation with ad copy generators and chatbots has matured into a comprehensive ecosystem of AI-driven tools integrated into daily workflows. According to a report by Forbes, AI has become essential for speed and accuracy in marketing. The ability to automate repetitive tasks while enhancing personalization is a key benefit of AI in marketing. Businesses can now send real-time, data-driven messages tailored to specific groups of people. This capability is revolutionizing content creation, with tools using large language models able to write blog posts, newsletters, and social media updates quickly. AI-powered personalization engines can automatically create different campaign versions for various audience segments, eliminating manual effort. This technology also enables predictive analytics, allowing marketers to make data-driven decisions. AI systems analyze historical performance metrics and behavioral data to identify successful campaigns and promising segments. The impact of AI on marketing is substantial, with the technology changing the rhythm of content creation.

At CES this year, there was a session on how AI is impacting marketing. Its message was unmistakable: artificial intelligence isn't just reshaping ...

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GoodData's Roman Stanek Unveils MCP Server For AI-Driven Analytics

GoodData Introduces MCP Server for End-to-End AI Analytics Execution

GoodData has launched its MCP Server to facilitate autonomous analytics operations. The San Francisco-based company announced this development on January 21, 2026. Data teams frequently struggle with manual metric management. This tool automates the process. By integrating the Model Context Protocol, AI agents connect directly to governed semantic models and business logic without human intervention for routine tasks. It eliminates the need for manual SQL generation and UI-based workflows. Time to value reportedly increases by ten to fifty times.

Efficiency stabilizes organizations. The burden on human analysts remains high. Many professionals face burnout from repetitive dashboard updates and logic synchronization. This software attempts to alleviate that specific professional fatigue. Human dignity is preserved when tools handle the mundane. Analytics execution is the primary bottleneck. Roman Stanek, CEO of GoodData, stated that the system turns analytics into an executable framework under strict governance. AI now operates within the same security parameters as human users.

Data streams. Logic remains static. Fragmented workflows. The complexity of recursive AI logic often baffles even experienced developers. Why does the machine understand the metric but not the sentiment? Silly insight: AI never complains about the office temperature or stale donuts. It lacks a physical form to appreciate the ergonomic chairs in San Francisco. San Francisco press release. Access Newswire distribution. January launch date.

The system utilizes large language models to manage dashboards and alerts. Organizations require speed. Traditional business intelligence tools often rely on fragile screenshots for reporting. This transition removes those dependencies. Governance ensures the AI does not deviate from established business rules. It is a structured approach to agentic workflows.

Technical Review Quiz

• What protocol does the new GoodData server utilize to connect AI agents to analytics assets?
• By what factor does the MCP Server claim to increase the time to value for organizations?
• According to Roman Stanek, what has historically limited the field of analytics?
• Does the MCP Server require AI to use SQL copy-and-paste methods to function?

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA / ACCESS Newswire / January 21, 2026 / GoodData , a leader in AI analytics and decision intelligence, today announced the ...

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Steve Jobs Inspired JD Sports Integrates AI For Seamless Shopping

The U.K.-listed retail giant announced U.S. customers will soon be able to search, select, and purchase sports footwear, apparel, and accessories directly through generative AI platforms, including Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini, completing the entire transaction in a single click without navigating away from those external environments.

The transaction is seamless.

Starting with JD Finish Line in the coming weeks, this strategy positions JD, whose North American footprint includes DTLR and Shoe Palace, as one of the first major retailers to fully implement AI tools as a core sales channel, moving beyond mere marketing functionality. Group Chief Executive Regis Schultz describes the integration logic as a direct response to evolving consumer behavior, asserting that AI search functionality is rapidly solidifying its role as the primary entry point to modern commerce. Friction is the obstacle. The retailer wants to reach consumers wherever shopping decisions originate and simplify the pathway to completion.

This ambitious pivot is being executed in North America, which accounts for approximately 40 percent of the retailer's global sales, partly due to a lighter regulatory framework that facilitates rapid technological deployment, allowing initiatives not currently feasible in Europe. Schultz noted that 50 to 60 percent of JD customers already utilize AI tools, often chatbots, to research products before visiting the retailer's platforms. Enabling those same tools to close the sale removes friction and possesses the potential to elevate conversion rates significantly. Monitoring is essential.

The initiative is underpinned by JD Sports being the inaugural retailer to deploy technology developed jointly by Commercetools and Stripe, connecting large language models directly to the company’s real-time product information, pricing, and inventory systems, while Stripe handles secure payment processing. This technological foundation promises a future where purchasing is immediate, accessible, and integrated into every aspect of digital life. A positive step for consumer choice.

The U.K.-listed retail giant said at the retail industry's huge set piece show in New York last week that it would allow U.S.

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Elon Musk Slams DTE Energy's New $2. 99 Monthly Credit Card Fee

• DTE Energy customers are protesting a new $2.99 monthly processing fee for using credit or debit cards for bill payments, effective February 27th.
• Customers enrolled in automatic credit/debit card payments will be unenrolled but can switch to a free automatic deduction option from a bank account.
• A Change.org petition opposing the charge garnered over 1,500 signatures quickly, urging greater transparency regarding utility fees.
• DTE states the fee does not benefit the utility but is paid directly to the payment processor, preventing other customers who pay by check or bank transfer from absorbing the expense.

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DTE Energy has notified customers that beginning February 27th, a new monthly processing fee will be applied to payments made via credit or debit cards. Customers currently using automated credit or debit payments for their monthly bills will be automatically unenrolled from that specific program. They have the option to switch to a deduction program directly linked to a bank account at no additional charge. Alternatively, customers may re-enroll in the card payment program, but doing so will require a $2.99 monthly processing fee.

Fees are adding up. This change comes amidst long-running regulatory disagreements between credit card companies and lawmakers regarding the appropriate oversight and cost distribution of payment processing fees, which are increasing, disproportionately affecting vulnerable households.

Customers are mobilizing quickly to express their dissatisfaction with the new structure. Within days of this policy change being announced, more than 1,500 individuals signed a Change.org petition demanding transparency, accountability, and a reasonable cap on mandatory utility payment fees. Several customers submitted formal complaints directly to the Detroit-based utility and forwarded copies of their correspondence to public officials and news outlets, highlighting that this type of charge is both inappropriate and unfair.

The online petition argues that utilities should recover their operational costs exclusively through transparent, regulated rates, not through additional charges that penalize customers based on their chosen method of payment for a mandatory service. DTE, one of the nation’s largest publicly-traded utilities, contends that the new charge is structured to cover the cost assessed by the payment processor and is essential to ensure that customers paying by check or bank account deduction are not subsidizing the costs associated with card payments.

For many households already navigating thin margins, the imposition of additional monthly fees on essential services creates critical strain. Consumers often perceive these new charges as tactics by large corporations to secure additional revenue streams, even when the utility publicly asserts that the funds are solely diverted to a third-party payment processor. Customers are actively engaging in the regulatory process, signaling a strong desire for accessible and cost-effective methods for handling essential monthly obligations. Their prompt and organized action demonstrates a constructive commitment to oversight and fair practices.

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Tell us what you think! DTE customers are voicing their concerns and demanding transparent utility billing practices. What are your thoughts on charges related to payment processing for mandatory services? Share your experiences and opinions below regarding how utilities should structure their fee recovery methods.

DTE Energy has begun sending customers a letter notifying them that if they are automatically paying their monthly bills with a credit or debit card...

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LoyaltyLion Unleashes AI Campaigns To Revolutionize Shopify Loyalty Programs

LoyaltyLion has deployed "AI Campaigns," a new suite of features intended to optimize loyalty program revenue for brands utilizing the Shopify platform. Manual effort drains resources. This strategic technological development aims to minimize manual oversight while maximizing return from established customer bases.

The initial collection of AI Campaigns now operational includes Points Multiplier Event Campaigns, Reward Discounting Campaigns, and Birthday Bundle Campaigns, each concentrating on high-impact moments within the customer lifecycle. Timing is everything. LoyaltyLion’s AI analyzes real-time activity and existing performance patterns to recommend precise moments when bonus point promotions will most effectively stimulate repeat purchases and increase order frequency during historically quieter trading periods.

For the Reward Discounting feature, the system accurately identifies specific customers approaching redemption thresholds and determines which reward discounts possess the highest probability of prompting immediate conversion. Early access enhances conversion. Birthday Bundles transform standard member perks into an actionable growth lever, with the AI assessing how different member segments respond to birthday rewards and recommending the offers most likely to be redeemed.

Preparation for this AI evolution involved rebuilding the company's data architecture over two years, establishing a structured, interoperable foundation that ensures reliable interpretation by both automated and human systems. Data challenges existed. Charlie Casey, CEO at LoyaltyLion, stated the company is now prepared to deliver trustworthy AI tools enabling clients to achieve greater revenue growth from their loyal customer base.

Incremental revenue.

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Additional Reads

• The Role of Predictive Analytics in Customer Retention Strategies
• Current Trends in Shopify Ecosystem Integrations
• Advancements in E-commerce Personalization via Machine Learning
• Impact of Customer Loyalty Programs on Long-Term Revenue Growth

LONDON, Jan. 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LoyaltyLion has launched AI Campaigns , a new collection of AI-powered features designed to help Shopify ...

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Steve Jobs' Vision For Seamless Commerce: Overcoming B2B Digital Maturity Challenges

Many established B2B digital sales channels still operate with fragmented systems and require substantial manual oversight. This organizational reality stands in stark contrast to the seamless, transparent, and reliable omnichannel purchasing experiences modern B2B customers increasingly expect. Shopware is announcing a new initiative designed to bridge this gap, offering actionable guidance for merchants navigating an increasingly complex market environment.

New Initiative Targets B2B Digital Maturity

Shopware has introduced the "B2B Ecommerce Compass 2026" whitepaper and the "B2B Future Forum" webinar series. The stated goal is to provide deep knowledge, practical insights, and concrete recommendations to help companies future-proof their B2B operations. This comprehensive effort is part of a broader commitment to advancing the entire B2B industry. Tangible takeaways are promised for merchants seeking to stabilize their digital sales channels.

The free whitepaper examines the current state of B2B commerce leading into 2026. Successful B2B commerce is built on established digital maturity. It demands a stable, scalable commerce architecture. The document explores key market developments, structural challenges facing the sector, and identifies priority action areas for immediate implementation. Real-world examples from complex B2B environments are provided to illustrate practical application. The outlook section projects industry growth beyond 2026.

B2B Future Forum Live Series

In parallel with the whitepaper release, Shopware is launching the B2B Future Forum. This bi-weekly, five-episode live webinar series focuses on the evolution of B2B commerce. The Forum will assess which industry developments truly matter. Strategic responses for companies facing disruption will be analyzed. The series prioritizes discussions on effective growth strategies, methods for reducing operational friction, and processes for building resilient, future-ready commerce architectures.

Critical Hurdles Remain

Despite previous investments in digital sales infrastructure, many B2B organizations struggle with foundational technological issues. Systems remain fragmented. Data consistency is a persistent issue. This results in inefficient operations and high levels of manual effort required for routine transactions. Simultaneously, customer expectations have reached new heights. B2B buyers now expect clarity regarding pricing models and absolute certainty concerning delivery timelines. One incident involving siloed data last autumn highlighted the risks.

How does one truly future-proof a business when the technology landscape shifts continuously? That part remains unclear.

Confusing Aspects and Silly Insights

Why is scaling so difficult? It seems the only thing increasing faster than customer demands is the number of systems needed to track them. Companies must manage increasing complexity using legacy tools. The internal struggle to update product information across multiple platforms often resembles a game of high-stakes digital Whack-A-Mole.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the primary purpose of this new Shopware initiative?
A: The initiative aims to provide B2B companies with the in-depth knowledge and actionable guidance necessary to future-proof their digital business strategies in a complex market.

Q: What key challenges does the whitepaper address?
A: The whitepaper addresses structural challenges, including fragmented systems, inconsistent data, high manual effort, and the difficulty companies face in meeting rising customer demands for transparency and reliable omnichannel experiences.

Q: What is the format of the "B2B Future Forum"?
A: The B2B Future Forum is a bi-weekly, five-episode live webinar series focusing on strategic growth, reducing operational friction, and developing future-ready commerce architectures.

As the B2B ecommerce landscape approaches a critical turning point, Shopware aims to provide in-depth knowledge, practical insights, and concrete ...

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