How the UK can lead the next digital revolution
I recently had the privilege of speaking with the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology, Peter Kyle, about the UK’s approach to AI and digital transformation. His message was clear: the government is taking action – cutting through regulatory red tape and actively investing in AI infrastructure to support businesses. As industry leaders, we must match this ambition and capitalise on the momentum.
Before our conversation, Peter Kyle delivered a powerful speech to the techUK Conference, emphasising the urgent need for the UK to cut through bureaucracy and fully embrace technological innovation.
I couldn’t agree more.
To lead in the AI and digital labour revolution, the UK is primed to create an environment where innovation thrives – removing barriers that slow adoption and enabling transformative technologies like agentic AI. This shift isn’t just about efficiency; it’s about fundamentally reimagining the way we work. By moving beyond a human-only workforce to one where digital agents and people collaborate seamlessly, we unlock new levels of productivity, creativity, and economic growth.
The opportunity is here – we just need to embrace it.
Agentic AI – a new way of working
AI is no longer just a tool – it’s a co-worker. Agentic AI is transforming industries by reasoning, adapting, and autonomously executing tasks at scale, all within carefully defined ethical guardrails. I’ve seen this firsthand at Salesforce, where our agentic AI platform, Agentforce, now manages and resolves 85% of customer inquiries without human intervention. This shift has allowed us to redeploy employees into more strategic roles, freeing up time and creativity which can be directed towards the next wave of innovation.
Automation isn’t about replacing workers – it’s about empowering and augmenting them.
For UK businesses, the time to integrate AI is now. The companies that embrace agentic AI will achieve exponential productivity gains, outpacing those that hesitate.
The UK’s competitive edge
As highlighted in our AI Readiness Index, the UK is one of the most AI-ready nations in the G7. A thriving tech ecosystem, combined with targeted government investment, makes this an unprecedented moment for innovation.
During our discussion, the Secretary of State emphasised that the UK is accelerating digital infrastructure projects, from expanding computing power to establishing AI growth zones.
Businesses must take up the running — leveraging AI to enhance decision-making, optimise operations, and unlock the full potential of their data. At the same time, building trust in AI is critical. Industry must set the bar for responsible AI development. Finally, technology businesses should actively engage with government initiatives like the UK’s AI Opportunities Action Plan to drive innovation and expand their AI capabilities.
The groundwork is there, but businesses must act now to stay ahead.
Turning vision into action
My conversation with the Secretary of State reinforced a crucial point: AI is already transforming the UK business landscape, but there’s more to be done. Regulation must be supportive of, not a barrier to, innovation. Businesses must actively experiment, iterate and implement AI solutions today – not in five years’ time.
At Salesforce, we’re committed to driving this change. With a $4 billion investment in our UK operations and our AI Centre in London, we are dedicated to ensuring AI benefits every sector, from SMEs to large enterprises. Agentforce, our agentic AI platform, is designed to empower businesses with trusted, enterprise-grade AI solutions that enhance – not replace – the workforce.
AI agents are rewriting the rules of productivity, growth, and innovation. The UK has the talent, investment, and regulatory framework to lead.
Now, we must seize the moment to ensure that British businesses don’t just adapt to the AI revolution – they drive it.
by Zahra Bahrololoumi, CEO, Salesforce UK & Ireland
