The Government Digital Service has flagged data maturity as a prerequisite for AI deployment in Britain's public sector. Many departments struggle with fragmented, poorly documented datasets that make effective AI implementation impossible. The GDS push highlights a structural weakness: without clean, accessible data foundations, AI initiatives in government remain largely aspirational. The issue extends beyond technology—it requires systematic investment in data governance, documentation standards, and cross-departmental interoperability. Other European governments facing similar AI ambitions should take note: technical capability means little without reliable underlying data infrastructure.