AI kills manual customer service: Gorgias automates 60% of inquiries while Shopify forces AI checkout migration

🤖 AI CUSTOMER SERVICE TAKEOVER

Gorgias AI Agent 2.0 launched July 16th: Automating 60% of support while driving sales

Gorgias just dropped AI Agent 2.0 and it's not just answering support tickets—it's actively selling during customer service conversations. The AI pulls live Shopify inventory data to offer discounts and upsells while resolving returns and order tracking. Psycho Bunny automated 25% of email tickets with higher CSAT than human agents.

The AI breakthrough: This isn't a chatbot reading scripts. AI Agent 2.0 analyzes customer order history, browsing behavior, and product catalogs to deliver personalized responses. When someone asks about a return, it immediately suggests alternatives or offers discounts to retain the sale.

Real operator results: Glamnetic's Senior Director of CX says "instant response builds confidence" as the AI handles address changes and order cancellations instantly. The system processes up to 50% of email inquiries autonomously, doubling efficiency over basic automation.

What makes this different: Unlike Intercom or Zendesk's generic AI, Gorgias is built for eCommerce with direct Shopify integration. It can edit orders, process returns, check inventory levels, and run promotional campaigns without leaving the platform.

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 🧠 AI INVENTORY INTELLIGENCE EXPLOSION

Prediko AI trained on 25M+ SKUs: Shopify brands cutting stockouts from 4% to 1%

Prediko's AI inventory management is processing over 25 million SKUs across 15 industries to generate 12-month demand forecasts for Shopify brands. One customer decreased stockouts from 4% to 1% in 2 months—unlocking "hundreds of thousands in extra revenue per year.

The AI advantage: Instead of Excel spreadsheets and gut feelings, Prediko's machine learning analyzes historical sales, seasonality, promotions, and market trends to predict exactly what to order and when. The AI accounts for lead times, supplier delays, and even external factors like holidays.

Production planning breakthrough: The newest feature links raw materials to finished goods demand. When the AI forecasts you'll sell 1,000 units next month, it automatically calculates exactly how much raw material you need and sends reorder alerts before you run out.

Replacing Shopify's Stocky: With Shopify deprecating Stocky's min/max inventory features in August 2025, operators need AI-powered alternatives. Prediko's 5-star rating and AI trained on millions of products beats basic threshold alerts.

Why operators are switching: Kate Hewko uses Prediko across two warehouses, saying the AI "predict demand patterns accurately, optimizing stock replenishment and reducing stockouts." No more manual Excel planning or production delays.

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🚨 SHOPIFY'S AI CHECKOUT ULTIMATUM

August 28th deadline: Abandon checkout.liquid or Shopify deletes your customizations

Shopify's not just suggesting the upgrade, they're forcing it. After August 28th, checkout.liquid becomes uneditable, additional scripts get frozen, and customer data access through checkout_completed pixels disappears forever. This isn't about better functionality; it's about forcing everyone onto Shopify's AI-powered extensibility system.

The AI angle: Shopify's new checkout uses machine learning for conversion optimization, fraud detection, and payment routing. The system automatically tests checkout variations and optimizes form fields using AI instead of relying on custom code that breaks with updates.

What operators lose: All your custom tracking pixels, special form fields, and checkout modifications built over years. The new system only allows pre-approved apps and web pixels, meaning less control but more AI-driven optimization.

The hidden benefit: While losing customization hurts, Shopify's AI optimizes conversion rates automatically. The system learns from millions of transactions to reduce cart abandonment and improve payment success rates—something custom code can't match.

Survival strategy: Test the new checkout editor with app blocks NOW. The AI-powered system provides better analytics and conversion insights, but you need to rebuild everything according to Shopify's new AI-driven architecture.

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🎯 TIKTOK'S CREATOR AI REVOLUTION

Creator Fund dead, new AI rewards pay 20x more for algorithmic optimization

TikTok killed their Creator Fund and replaced it with "Creator Rewards Program" that pays up to 20x more but only for videos 1+ minutes long that demonstrate "specialized expertise." The AI isn't just paying for views anymore—it's rewarding content that keeps users engaged longer.

The algorithm shift: TikTok's AI now favors "well-crafted content" and "specialized expertise" over viral hits. For eCommerce operators, this means detailed product demos and educational content get higher payouts than 15-second viral clips.

AI content requirements: Videos must be 1080p+, show "attention to detail in creation," and "spark meaningful conversations." The AI analyzes engagement depth, not just view counts, rewarding content that actually drives purchasing decisions.

Operator opportunity: Brands doing product education and detailed reviews can now monetize directly through TikTok's AI reward system. The algorithm pays more for content that converts viewers into customers, aligning creator incentives with eCommerce results.

Geographic AI rollout: Currently US, UK, Germany, Japan, South Korea, France, and Brazil only. The AI is analyzing regional engagement patterns to expand the program based on content quality and conversion metrics.

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There’s no shortage of AI newsletters out there — but I couldn’t find one made for small and mid-sized eCom operators. So I built the kind of thing I’d want to read. Hope you get something useful out of it.

Thanks for reading.
Catch you next week!

Nicholas Hoddevik
CEO, apparel brand Kattnakken
Editor, BeyondTheCart