AI Minister Liz Kendall: Personal Use Over Professional Adoption

Liz Kendall, the Science, Innovation, and Technology Secretary, has shared that she does not integrate artificial intelligence into her official duties. Despite overseeing a £500 million initiative designed to support British AI enterprises, which she described as “vital to safeguarding national security and boosting economic growth,” Kendall highlighted her reliance on the technology in her personal life. This includes instances like addressing an allergic reaction triggered by a face cream.

Her remarks came during an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live and Newsnight, conducted in an AI-driven autonomous vehicle developed by the UK company Wayve. The demonstration was intended to showcase the minister’s belief in the transformative potential of AI. Yet, Kendall admitted she limits its application to her private sphere. “I use AI personally rather than at work,” she stated, noting that she is more inclined to employ it for tasks like managing her skincare routine.

Previously, her predecessor, Peter Kyle, had introduced a government AI tool named “Humphrey,” inspired by the scheming character from the BBC sitcom *Yes, Minister*. Kyle had emphasized that AI could handle tasks more efficiently, such as drafting responses to consultations. However, Kendall’s cabinet colleagues have expressed differing views. When asked about AI’s role in government, she clarified: “Jobs will be created, jobs will change, some will disappear, but new ones will emerge.”

Kendall pointed out that during her tenure at the Department for Work and Pensions, staff utilized AI to assist with CV rewriting for jobseekers and to distill feedback from public consultations. She dismissed claims by *The New Statesman* that British laws are already being crafted by AI, insisting: “It’s certainly not written any of my laws related to social media or online safety.”

Discussing her recent personal use of AI, the Labour MP recounted: “Do you want to know the last thing I used it for?… I can’t believe I’m about to say this… I had an allergic reaction to a product. I applied some costly and unnecessary cream. I used AI to analyze the ingredients across multiple brands, identifying a common element among the three and recommending a remedy for my eczema. After verifying the source, the National Eczema Society, I visited a pharmacist who suggested the same cream. It worked.”

The Sovereign AI unit, a government-backed venture capital fund, aims to invest in UK-based AI startups. While acknowledging the technology’s impact on employment, Kendall stressed the importance of preparing the workforce. “We need to ensure people aren’t left alone to navigate this shift,” she said. “Upskilling the nation is essential for the future.”

Concerns about AI’s broader implications remain. A YouGov poll last year revealed that 75% of Britons worry AI could pose a risk to humanity. When questioned about these fears, Kendall responded: “I believe the development trajectory is safe. We must consider its effects on jobs, but history shows that each industrial revolution brings both losses and gains.”

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