Shopify debuts Canvas, a way to build online stores by chatting with AI
Shopify has launched a new tool called Canvas that allows merchants to build and customize online stores by chatting with an AI agent. This move reflects a broader industry trend toward no-code website development powered by generative AI.
Why it matters
This technology lowers the barrier to entry for e-commerce, potentially disrupting the traditional web development market.
Shopify introduced a new site-building tool Thursday called Canvas that lets merchants set up their Shopify store by chatting with AI. While Shopify already offered a fairly capable no-code builder before Canvas, it involved editing a selected theme by rearranging modular sections and blocks. Deeper customizations, however, would require editing code or bringing in a developer.
Now, with Canvas, merchants simply chat with Shopify’s AI agent, Sidekick , to create their site. As the AI makes changes, Canvas displays the results in real time, allowing merchants to see how the store looks overall as it comes together or zoom in to focus on certain details.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in