Join us in this episode as Melissa Perri sits down with Vanessa Lee, VP of Product at Shopify, to explore the groundbreaking work being done in AI integration and agentic commerce. Vanessa sheds light on Shopify's AI assistant, Sidekick, which aims to revolutionize how merchants manage and grow their businesses.

Discover how Shopify is pushing the boundaries of e-commerce with cutting-edge technology and a commitment to empowering entrepreneurs.

Through engaging anecdotes and insights, Vanessa shares how Sidekick is not just a tool but a strategic partner for merchants, helping them navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship. We delve into the collaboration with OpenAI and how Shopify is leveraging AI to create seamless, innovative shopping experiences.

Want to understand how AI can transform product management and e-commerce? Tune in to this episode for an enlightening conversation that explores the future of commerce and the evolving role of product managers.

You’ll hear us talk about:

• 05:19 - Shopify's Agentic AI Assistant

Vanessa explains how Sidekick, Shopify's AI assistant, was designed to be a co-pilot for merchants, proactively assisting with tasks like product creation and payment setup to help entrepreneurs succeed in their journey.

• 36:38 - Partnership with OpenAI

Discover how Shopify partnered with OpenAI to integrate commerce functionalities into ChatGPT, making merchants' products discoverable and enabling direct checkouts within the AI platform.

• 22:34 - Practical Advice for PMs Working with AI

Vanessa offers valuable advice for product managers looking to enhance their skills in generative AI and LLMs, emphasizing the importance of creativity and experimentation in developing innovative AI applications.

Episode resources:

Vanessa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vlaurenlee/

Check the localization report: https://lokalise.com/library/data-reports/localization-revenue-report-2025/

Check our courses: https://productinstitute.com/