December 22, 2025 OpenAI has hired the former head of Shopify’s core product organization to lead its next phase of growth, as the company works to transform ChatGPT from a standalone chatbot into a platform that behaves more like an operating system. Glen Coates, who oversaw Shopify’s core software and app ecosystem until this summer, will become head of OpenAI’s app platform.
Coates, in his announcement on LinkedIn, said that his role will focus on architecting ChatGPT as a system capable of using apps “just like you can.” The ambition, he suggested, is to make ChatGPT a central interface for work and software rather than just a conversational layer on top of existing tools. “I can’t think of anything more exciting to work on,” he wrote, thanking his former Shopify colleagues.
The hire underscores OpenAI’s growing ambition toward a broader platform play. As generative AI becomes embedded across productivity software, the company is increasingly positioning ChatGPT as infrastructure rather than a feature. Turning it into an app platform puts OpenAI on a more direct collision course with Apple, Google and Microsoft, whose platforms already serve as the primary gateways to apps and services.
Coates joined Shopify in 2019 after the company acquired Handshake, the e-commerce wholesale startup he co-founded. He initially led product for Shopify Plus, the company’s platform for large and fast-growing merchants, before being promoted in 2020 to vice-president and head of core product. In that role, he oversaw Shopify’s main software, developer tools and app ecosystem. He also regularly served as a public face for major product launches.
Shopify confirmed Coates left the company over the summer. Vanessa Lee took over leadership of Product and led Shopify’s Winter ’26 Edition, which introduced more than 150 updates across the platform. Many of those changes focused on expanding Shopify’s AI capabilities for merchants, including upgrades to its Sidekick assistant and new automation features tied to inventory and operations.
The move comes amid a period of leadership change at Shopify. Chief operating officer Kaz Nejatian left in September to become CEO of Opendoor, followed by other senior departures, including chief revenue officer Bobby Morrison. Shopify has also made modest job cuts in recent months as it streamlined its organizational structure.
The timing is significant for OpenAI. The company is reportedly in talks to raise about US$10 billion from Amazon at a valuation exceeding US$500 billion, as it seeks more compute capacity to support its models. Hiring an executive with deep experience in platform design and developer ecosystems suggests OpenAI is preparing for a future where ChatGPT is not limited to being just a tool.
