Five priorities for the UK’s first AI Minister, Kanishka Narayan

The Government’s appointment of Kanishka Narayan as the UK’s first dedicated AI Minister marks a significant moment in Britain’s approach to AI adoption.

With AI now positioned at the centre of the Government’s economic growth strategy, alongside a new AI Taskforce designed to support adoption across the public sector, attention will now turn to what success looks like for the Government in this space.

I see Kanishka Narayan’s appointment as an opportunity to help Britain become a leader in AI adoption, rather than focusing solely on developing new technology.

In principle, having a dedicated AI Minister shows that the Government recognises AI is much bigger than a technology conversation. It’s something that we know at La Fosse already, but it’s great to see the government recognise the enormity of its potential for productivity, skills, businesses, and changing the future of work.

But, success should not be measured by the number of AI announcements or strategies published. It should be measured by whether organisations become more productive, whether employees develop the skills they need, and whether AI adoption creates meaningful economic value.

From speaking to employers across the UK, we know the biggest challenges to AI adoption are rarely about accessing AI tools. They are about knowing where to start, building the right skills, and creating the right conditions for adoption.

Drawing on La Fosse’s experience supporting organisations through AI adoption and workforce planning, here are the five priorities I believe Kanishka Narayan and the Government should focus on in the coming months:

Make AI adoption Britain’s biggest competitive advantage

I’d like to see the Government focus on helping existing organisations adopt AI successfully, rather than measuring progress by the number of AI companies we create.

Too much of the conversation still centres on the technology itself. The bigger opportunity is helping businesses use AI to become more productive, reduce repetitive tasks, and give people more time to focus on work that creates greater value.

A recruiter finding talent faster, a manufacturer improving quality control, or a healthcare worker spending less time on administration might seem like small improvements individually. But collectively, they could have a significant impact on the UK economy.

If thousands of organisations each become a little more productive, the impact will be far greater than the success of any single AI business.

Put workforce capability at the centre of AI adoption

Investment in people should be treated with the same importance as investment in AI.

One of the biggest mistakes I see organisations make is assuming AI adoption is purely a technology challenge. In reality, the hardest questions are about people. Which skills will matter most? How will roles change? How do leaders help employees use AI with confidence?

Our AI in the Workforce research found that 69% of workers believe their organisation needs a dedicated AI specialist at the most senior level, while 80% of existing C-suite leaders agree there is a need for this expertise.

This shows that businesses are recognising the importance of AI leadership, but many are still working out what that should look like in practice.

The organisations that succeed will be those that build AI capability across the business, from leadership teams through to employees using these tools every day. I hope that we see this supported by the new AI Minister and the wider Government.

Help more businesses grow through AI adoption

The UK could become one of the easiest places for businesses to adopt AI if we get the support and foundations right.

Britain has no shortage of ambitious founders, but many businesses struggle to scale. AI adoption gives organisations the opportunity to reduce costs, improve decision making, and compete more effectively, but technology alone will not solve every challenge.

Businesses also need access to the right skills and support to make AI adoption part of their long-term plans.

The Government’s role, and that of the new AI Minister, should be creating the conditions that allow more businesses to adopt AI confidently and grow over time.

Make AI adoption accessible to organisations of every size

I’d like to see AI adoption become something every organisation feels able to pursue, not just those with large technology budgets.

A common mistake is assuming AI is only relevant to major enterprises. Smaller organisations make up a huge part of the UK economy, so they need practical guidance and support that helps them understand where AI adoption can create value.

Making AI accessible means giving more organisations the confidence to experiment, learn and introduce it in ways that work for them.

Let the Government lead AI adoption by example

The Government, under its new AI Minister, has the potential to become one of the UK’s strongest examples of responsible AI adoption.

The public sector has an opportunity to show what is possible by reducing administration and giving employees more time to focus on work that requires human judgement.

Leadership and governance will be just as important as the technology itself. Our research found that 73% of C-suite executives have uploaded confidential company data into AI tools, while 78% have used AI for work they are not trained to do.

These findings highlight why organisations need strong leadership and the right skills in place as AI adoption becomes part of everyday working life.

If businesses can see AI adoption delivering measurable improvements across government, they will have far greater confidence to invest themselves.

What success looks like for AI Minister Kanishka Narayan

I believe the success of Kanishka Narayan as the UK’s first AI Minister should ultimately be judged by the impact his plans have across businesses, workers, and public services.

Britain does not need to create every AI breakthrough to benefit from this technology.

We have a real opportunity to become one of the best countries in the world for organisations to adopt AI successfully and turn new technology into long-term economic growth.

If, five years from now, businesses are more productive, employees feel better equipped for the future, and public services are working better because of AI adoption, that will be the measure of success for Kanishka Narayan and the Government.

How La Fosse supports AI adoption

La Fosse works with organisations at every stage of their AI adoption journey, helping leaders build the capability, leadership, and talent needed to introduce AI responsibly and create long-term business value. If you’re looking for a partner to help you, get in touch.

FAQs

What does the appointment of a new AI Minister mean for UK employers?

The UK Government appointing a new AI Minister signals that AI adoption is now a Government priority, not just a technology trend. For employers, this means AI is likely to feature more heavily in policy, funding, and public sector procurement. Businesses should expect more support and guidance around AI adoption, but also more scrutiny of how they use AI responsibly.

How will Kanishka Narayan’s role affect AI adoption in business?

As the UK’s first dedicated AI Minister, Kanishka Narayan’s role is likely to influence the pace and direction of AI adoption across both the public and private sectors. His focus, alongside the Government’s broader AI Taskforce, should help create clearer conditions for businesses to adopt AI with confidence, provided the emphasis stays on practical support rather than just strategy documents.

What should businesses do to prepare their workforce for AI adoption?

Workforce strategy should sit alongside any AI adoption plan, not follow it. To prepare workforces for AI adoption, businesses should identify which roles and skills will change, build AI capability across leadership teams as well as day-to-day employees, and give people the confidence to use new tools well. Investment in people should be treated with the same importance as investment in the technology itself.

Do smaller businesses need to worry about AI adoption?

AI adoption is not just for large enterprises with big technology budgets. Smaller organisations make up a huge part of the UK economy, and many stand to gain the most from practical, well-supported AI adoption. The key is starting with clear, achievable use cases rather than trying to adopt AI everywhere at once.

What skills will employees need as AI adoption grows?

The skills gap around AI adoption is rarely about technical ability alone. To keep up with AI adoption, employees need the confidence to use AI tools appropriately, understand where AI adds value, and know when human judgement should take priority. Leaders also need AI literacy so they can guide teams through the changes to roles and ways of working.