Artificial Intelligence

With the greatly increased availability of data, cheap computing power, storage capacity and new methods, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has gained momentum. Artificial Intelligence is playing an increasingly important role in solving social and economic issues and is increasingly determining our prosperity and well-being. It is a multidisciplinary field that impacts all business sectors, as well as our private lives and society. AI has many forms and applications: from facial recognition to translation apps, from fighting fraud to making better medical diagnoses. In addition, AI applications are already being used to reduce pesticide use, save energy, provide personalised education, cheaper maintenance of roads, railways and bridges, and self-driving cars, robots and drones. AI also influences what we buy, watch or read. And that's just the beginning. AI will soon be everywhere.

Be and stay ahead

So the Netherlands will have to prepare well for this fundamental change. Otherwise, we will soon miss opportunities or saddle society with technology that does not serve our interests. Despite a good starting position in terms of AI knowledge, digital infrastructure and use of digital technology, the Netherlands is at risk of falling behind. In economies around us, the large-scale development and deployment of AI is strongly encouraged by governments, putting pressure on our talent and knowledge base, activity in economically important sectors, and our autonomy. To build and maintain a stable and distinctive position in both the development and application of AI, an integrated approach is required, with intensive government involvement. To this end, the Netherlands AI Coalition (NL AIC) was set up in 2019 as one of the coalitions under the umbrella of Topsector ICT.

NL AIC aims to increase dialogue and cooperation between all stakeholders in the field of AI. This will create a common approach and boost AI activities in the Netherlands and European cooperation. The coalition should respond to the plans of AI giants such as China and the US, while respecting Dutch and European norms and values. Within three years, impactful AI innovations must be realised in at least 10 economic and social sectors. A multi-year AiNed programme has been drawn up - a national growth fund investment programme up to 2027.