It is not easy running a business. There are many different things to consider every day. The more complex the business, the more areas of expertise are needed. Starting an e-commerce business may seem simple at first, but the more the business develops, the more we realize how much work must be done to push it toward success.

Many businesses start small and slowly build a team as they grow. During the journey of ToyShnip, we discovered many things that, if not done properly, could cost us dearly. One small mistake in code can mean the site is not working. One wrong label on a package can mean the customer gets the wrong order. One setting on Google or Shopify can have a huge impact on the business.

There are many small details, and since most business owners are not experts in everything, they need help. They may hire new employees, sign contracts with agencies, work with freelancers, or bring in experts. There are many ways to get work done — but the more the business progresses, the more owners realize their time and knowledge are limited.

Can AI change that? Can AI be the game changer that helps small businesses thrive, or is it just a gimmick or a bubble?

After using AI for a while, we can already see the benefits it brings to ToyShnip. AI can give small businesses, no matter their size, the tools they need at a fraction of the cost compared to before. Over the years, we’ve had employees, specialists, experts, and agencies help us — many of whom did amazing work that still benefits us today. But working with AI is on a completely different level.

In terms of technology, AI is still a baby. Just look at this graph from Wikipedia. AI has been around for many years — it is not new. But in the last few years, with the release of ChatGPT at the end of 2022, everything started to change. More and more apps on the Shopify App Store began using AI. Shopify itself added built-in AI. Google integrated AI assistants into Gmail. Just like the dot-com boom 30 years ago, and later the smartphone revolution, we are now in the era of AI. This baby has many superpowers we are only beginning to see.

AI can make everything seem simple. It is like a genius child waiting for a challenge to show off its skills effortlessly. When we started implementing AI in our work at ToyShnip, it was mind-boggling to see its capabilities. Today, we have two new “team members” — ChatGPT (version 5) and Claude (Sonnet 4). These two have done so much behind the scenes that it’s a wonder we managed without them.

But the more we work with AI, the more we see its limitations, bugs, and quirks. It is far from a magic tool that does everything while we sip a cold drink on an exotic beach. AI is still just a tool, not a full-time team member. It won’t work unless asked — but when asked, it won’t complain about the time. While its capabilities are impressive, it is not free from errors. Sometimes the mistakes are so silly that it’s clear AI is not yet ready to take over completely. There is still a need for human review.

When used properly, AI can produce amazing results. Bits of code that might take a decent developer hours to write can be generated in seconds. Its knowledge base is like having a “Mr. Know-It-All” by your side, ready to answer any question — no matter how complex, boring, or unusual. If the answer is too complicated, it can break it down into steps, create checklists, guides, and documentation, and even train new employees on processes. It can give advice on everything from complex coding fixes to data analysis to polishing a blog post.

Since we’ve talked about the good and the bad, we can’t ignore the ugly. AI can outperform many employees or even experts — at a fraction of the cost, with no complaints, 24/7 availability, and no vacations. Every time a major technology like this emerges, many people realize their skills and years of work have suddenly become less valuable. This reality affects not just entry-level employees but also seasoned experts. For large corporations, it means reducing staff while maintaining productivity. For small businesses, it means finally having access to help they could never afford before. AI can take on the grunt work, allowing owners to focus on what they do best.

Things are going to change fast. Throughout history, breakthroughs have often been driven by faster and better access to data. We are now on a rollercoaster that’s gaining speed, and we’ve only just begun to explore what’s possible. The only question for any business owner, employee, entrepreneur, innovator, or specialist is:

Are you ready for the ride — and can you hold on tight enough not to get thrown off?