The UK is poised to become a global leader in the next wave of artificial intelligence innovation, known as agentic AI, according to a new report from Salesforce. The findings highlight Britain’s strong foundation in AI adoption and infrastructure, setting the stage for mainstream integration of agentic AI from 2025 onwards.
A Vision for Agentic AI
Agentic AI represents the third wave of artificial intelligence, enabling dynamic collaboration between human users and AI agents to solve complex challenges. Zahra Bahrololoumi CBE, CEO of Salesforce UK & Ireland, described the UK’s potential:
“Agentic AI is transforming enterprise software by fostering seamless collaboration between humans and intelligent agents. The UK AI Readiness Index demonstrates that our nation has both the vision and infrastructure to be a global powerhouse in AI, leading this exciting new era of innovation.”
Strong Performance Across Sectors
The UK AI Readiness Index places Britain ahead of its G7 peers, with a score of 65.5 compared to the G7 average of 61.2. The report credits this lead to the UK’s robust innovation culture, pragmatic regulatory framework, and widespread adoption of AI across public and private sectors.
The government’s proactive stance on AI development has bolstered the UK’s reputation as a global AI hub. Key initiatives, such as the AI Safety Summit at Bletchley Park and risk-based legislative proposals, have created a secure and transparent environment for innovation.
Businesses are equally embracing AI’s transformative potential. UK industries achieved a readiness score of 52, significantly outperforming the G7 average of 47.8. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are prioritising AI integration, further solidifying the nation’s leadership in this arena.
Investment and Skills Development
Salesforce has committed $4 billion to the UK’s AI ecosystem over the next five years. The company’s AI Centre in London has already engaged over 3,000 stakeholders in training and workshops, focusing on equipping the workforce with essential digital skills.
Key investment areas include bridging regulatory approaches between the EU and the US, supporting SME adoption, and scaling AI training initiatives. These efforts aim to ensure the UK remains competitive in the global AI economy.
Feryal Clark, Minister for AI and Digital Government, affirmed the nation’s position:
“These findings show the UK is primed to take advantage of AI. We’re committed to ramping up adoption, driving economic growth, and fostering an AI sector capable of competing on the global stage.”
Antony Walker, Deputy CEO of techUK, emphasised the need for collaboration:
“To sustain progress, government and industry must work together to foster innovation, support SMEs, invest in skills, and ensure regulation remains agile.”
Agentic AI in Action
Agentic AI is already making waves across UK industries. Companies like Capita, Secret Escapes, Heathrow, and Bionic have adopted Salesforce’s Agentforce platform to enhance productivity and customer experiences.
Adolfo Hernandez, CEO of Capita, highlighted the transformative impact on recruitment:
“With autonomous agents providing 24/7 support, we’re enabling candidates to complete the recruitment process within days instead of weeks, creating a seamless experience for all stakeholders.”
Similarly, Secret Escapes is leveraging agentic AI to personalise services for its 60 million members across Europe. Kate Donaghy, Head of Business Technology, said:
“Agentforce automates routine tasks like cancellations and booking updates, freeing up our team to address complex, last-minute travel needs. This improves efficiency while delivering exceptional service to our members.”
A Collaborative Future
The UK’s AI readiness reflects a successful synergy between government, business, and academia. However, sustaining this leadership requires continued focus on skills development, regulatory agility, and fostering cross-sector partnerships.
As agentic AI becomes a cornerstone of enterprise software, the UK’s position as a trailblazer ensures it is well-prepared to shape the future of global AI innovation.
Source: https://www.artificialintelligence-news.com/news/salesforce-uk-set-lead-agentic-ai-revolution/
