Published: 10 Feb 2026
Summary
AI shouldn’t be a magic trick; it should make life easier. That’s the lens we bring to a fast-moving conversation with Kingfisher’s Chief AI Officer, Mohsen Ghasempour, about turning algorithms into everyday wins for customers, stores, and teams. We dig into the real difference between hype and a bubble, and why retail is the ultimate stress test for machine learning—messy data, physical stores, rapid fulfillment, and customers who describe problems, not products.
Mohsen walks us through his journey from microelectronics and high‑performance computing to leading 50+ AI services in production. The constant throughline? People. Tools evolve, priorities shift across brands like B&Q and Screwfix, but a strong foundation in data science, engineering, and product thinking keeps value shipping. We talk practical wins such as Screwfix’s race for speed—because time is money for trade pros—and how AI supports that mission without adding friction.
We also unpack AI‑driven replenishment: a system that predicts when trade customers will run out of consumables and nudges at the right moment. No hard sell, just fewer missed items and faster jobs. Then we zoom out to the “store as digital hub”, where conversational guidance closes the gap between in‑aisle advice and online search. Think intent-driven help that points to the right steps and the right products, paired with reliable click‑and‑collect.
Looking 12–24 months ahead, we explore agent‑driven commerce and emerging standards like Universal Commerce Protocol that could let trusted agents shop on your behalf. The opportunity is big, but so is the responsibility—education, colleague impact, customer consent, and reliable safeguards will define success. Ready to move past buzzwords and focus on outcomes that matter?