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The Netherlands has the potential to become a leader in the development of Generative Artificial Intelligence, but this requires a joint effort in a European and Dutch context from government and industry. This is evident from the report “Generative AI: Europe’s Quest for Regulation and Industry Leadership”, launched today, developed by EIT Digital, the driving force behind the ICT sector in Europe, and the National AI Growth Fund program AiNed.
The report offers concrete tools to utilize this potential by investing more in AI startups, promoting European cooperation and improving access to High Performance Computing Infrastructure (HPCI). Dozens of international AI experts contributed to the research.
Generative AI tools, such as the chatbot ChatGPT launched at the end of 2022, have now become everyday tools for many Dutch people. The impact of Generative AI on the labor market and the Gross Domestic Product (GNP) is significant, which offers opportunities for the Netherlands. To take advantage of these opportunities, the researchers argue that the Netherlands must make a stand in a European context, given that AI is geopolitical. Only at EU level can the Netherlands take a strong position and even become a frontrunner.
Recommendations
Although the Netherlands is already in a good starting position for this, researchers argue that more is needed to further capitalize on that potential. There are some general AI initiatives in the Netherlands, such as the NL AIC, the National Growth Fund AiNed program and GPT-NL. However, there is little targeted effort on Generative AI, and financial support from Dutch industry in collaborative initiatives is limited. To strengthen the Dutch position, more investment is required from both the government and industry in a public-private partnership. In addition, more capital injections are needed for AI startups, given the Netherlands’ strong startup ecosystem, but with insufficient resources for international growth, especially for Generative AI startups.
Supercomputer
Access to High Performance Computing Infrastructure is a problem for Dutch companies, the report says. HPCI involves advanced computers that can process large amounts of data quickly and efficiently. It is needed for tasks such as simulations, data analysis and AI applications. A national Generative AI testing facility should be established in collaboration with industry to support development and experimentation.
Although Dutch R&D instruments are well developed, there is also a need for improved innovation instruments, especially in the digital field. The government must rethink its innovation approach to create strong positions in emerging digital domains, such as Generative AI, with a focus on talent retention, better investment alignment and results-oriented financing. The report offers policymakers valuable strategic considerations for the Netherlands and Europe, with a focus on the most effective applications of generative AI.
Prof. Dr. Willem Jonker, chairman of AiNed: “This report not only shows the opportunities of AI for the Netherlands, but also indicates how we can concretely capitalize on those opportunities with a detailed path for active investments in generative AI innovations. If we tackle this well and in a coordinated manner within a European context, we can even take the lead within Europe and capitalize on the potential for AI in our economy and labor market, because estimates show that AI can increase the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in our country by nine percent.”
In the photo from left to right, chairman of AiNed, Willem Jonker, CEO EIT Digital, Federico Menna, MT member at the Digital Economy Directorate of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate, Thomas Faber, and program lead Europe, Stefan Leijnen of AiNed .
