Sadiq Abubakar is a software engineer, full-stack developer, and founder of a growing startup focused on making AI tools simple and accessible for small businesses. Originally from Nigeria, he has built his career around designing intelligent, data-driven systems that enhance the online interactions between companies and consumers. In this interview with AI Journal, Sadiq shares his perspective on how artificial intelligence is reshaping e-commerce, from personalized shopping experiences and predictive analytics to the ethical use of data and the future role of developers. Through his work in software engineering and entrepreneurship, he is helping bridge the gap between innovation and usability, creating AI-driven solutions that make advanced technology approachable, practical, and human-centered from the start.
As a software engineer, how do you envision artificial intelligence transforming the e-commerce experience for both businesses and consumers?
Artificial intelligence is poised to revolutionize the entire e-commerce model. Today, shoppers browse through endless pages in search of items that fit them. In the next wave, AI won’t wait for the customer; it will understand them. Platforms will shift from “search and scroll” to smart, personalized storefronts that adapt to each user’s tastes, values, and mood.
For businesses, AI removes the guesswork. Instead of broad campaigns, brands will have real-time insights into what customers want before they even shop. For consumers, the experience becomes effortless, products are curated just for them, assistance feels human, and shopping adapts instantly to their context. It’s not just automation; it’s intelligence meeting intention.
What specific AI technologies, such as recommendation systems or predictive analytics, will have the greatest impact on online shopping in the next five years?
The most significant impact will come from multi-model recommendation systems that combine behavioral, contextual, and emotional factors. We’re moving beyond simple “people also bought” suggestions. The next generation will use:
- Real-time behavior modeling
- Contextual prediction (time, location, season, browsing patterns)
- Generative AI assistants that guide the shopper
- Vision models that match personal taste, style, or fit
- Predictive analytics for demand forecasting and fulfillment
The platforms that merge all of these into one cohesive experience will win. The next five years will shift from static websites to AI-orchestrated commerce ecosystems.
Many retailers struggle to predict consumer behavior during the holiday rush. How can AI-driven analytics improve forecasting and inventory management for online stores?
AI transforms chaotic holiday traffic into clear, actionable patterns. Rather than reacting to sudden spikes, retailers can use AI-driven analytics to anticipate them by analyzing real-time shopping signals, detecting emerging micro-trends, adjusting inventory across regions, and predicting which products will surge before demand peaks. These systems consider factors that humans often overlook, such as behavioral shifts, search activity, abandoned carts, and even social sentiment. The result is smarter inventory management that prevents both overstocking and shortages, replacing guesswork with data-driven precision during the most unpredictable shopping seasons.
Given your full-stack development experience, how do you see AI changing the way developers design and build e-commerce platforms?
AI is transforming the way developers approach digital experiences, shifting focus from static websites to adaptive, intelligent systems. Instead of manually coding every rule or interaction, developers are now designing learning recommendation engines, dynamic storefronts that personalize in real time, automated content systems, and search tools that understand user intent rather than simple keywords. Even fulfillment logic is evolving to optimize routes and inventory automatically. This evolution makes the developer’s role far more strategic, centered on creativity, architecture, and innovation. Rather than building pages, developers are building intelligent flows that continuously learn, respond, and improve based on user behavior..
Many small businesses struggle to integrate AI tools due to cost and complexity. How do you think startups like yours can make AI more accessible to them?
Small businesses want AI, but they don’t want complexity. Startups like mine can bridge that gap by building plug-and-play AI tools that work instantly, without training or big budgets.
That means:
- No-code dashboards
- Automated product tagging
- Simple recommendation systems
- AI that handles marketing, content, and customer support
- Affordable subscription pricing
When AI becomes as simple as “turn it on,” small businesses will finally be able to compete with major enterprises. Accessibility is about removing friction, not adding features.
What ethical or privacy concerns do you believe need to be addressed as AI becomes more deeply embedded in e-commerce systems?
Trust is the foundation of AI-driven commerce, and retailers must be transparent about what data they collect, how it is used, how long it is stored, and how AI models make decisions. These systems should safeguard personal identity, minimize bias, and give customers meaningful control over their information. As AI capabilities expand, ethics must hold equal weight with innovation. The ultimate goal is to deliver personalization that feels respectful and empowering, not intrusive.
You’ve worked with incubators and accelerators that support small businesses. How do you think these programs can encourage the adoption of AI-driven solutions among early-stage entrepreneurs?
Incubators play a vital role in making AI feel practical rather than intimidating. The most effective programs go beyond theory, giving founders the tools and confidence to experiment through hands-on AI workshops, access to cloud and model credits, mentorship from technical experts, and real case studies that demonstrate measurable performance gains. Collaborative environments where founders can test and build together further accelerate learning and adoption. When early-stage entrepreneurs view AI as a tool they can actively utilize, rather than a technology reserved for large enterprises, adoption naturally follows. Education, access, and community form the foundation that helps founders integrate AI from the very beginning.
Looking ahead, what do you think the ideal balance will be between automation through AI and human creativity in shaping the future of online retail?
The ideal balance is a partnership: AI handles the heavy lifting, and humans shape the meaning and experience. AI brings speed, personalization, and precision. It can analyze behavior, predict needs, optimize logistics, and automate repetitive work. But creativity, storytelling, branding, and emotional connection come from people.
The future of online retail will be a hybrid model that blends human creativity with artificial intelligence. AI will enhance decision-making and power the customer experience through personalization, automation, and intelligent insights, while humans will continue to drive imagination and define the broader vision. This partnership creates a retail ecosystem where technology amplifies human ingenuity, resulting in experiences that are both efficient and deeply engaging.
When both work together, retail becomes more efficient, more intuitive, and more human, even when powered by machines.
For Sadiq Abubakar, the future of commerce lies in collaboration between people, technology, and possibility. His mission as a developer and founder is to make artificial intelligence accessible to every business, regardless of size or technical expertise. As AI continues to evolve, his work reflects a belief that innovation should never replace the human touch; it should enhance it, creating digital experiences that feel both intelligent and personal.
