How AI is changing software engineering at Shopify with Farhan Thawar

In a live podcast recorded at LDX3 in London, Gergely Orosz interviews Farhan Thawar, Head of Engineering at Shopify, about Shopify's approach to AI. Thawar discusses Shopify's early adoption of AI tools like GitHub Copilot and Cursor, and their internal development of an LLM proxy and MCP architecture to facilitate secure and efficient AI usage across the company, including non-engineering departments. He emphasizes Shopify's culture of pairing and experimentation, their unique approach to intern hiring focused on AI reflexivity, and their perspective on managing AI costs as an investment in productivity. Thawar also shares insights into Shopify's internal tools like GSD (Get Shit Done) and their approach to code reviews, highlighting the importance of human oversight in AI-assisted processes.