Dutch government AI vision and European dependence, Digi Mart USA News: The Netherlands must become more involved in the world of artificial intelligence, but it will always remain dependent on other countries. That is the message of the vision presented today by State Secretary Aerdts of Digital Economy and Sovereignty.
According to Aerdts, “full independence” is not the goal, because it is not realistic. “The raw materials, the chips, the software, we cannot do all of that alone as the Netherlands.” The cabinet’s aim is to have enough “knowledge and capacity” to keep using important technology and to “keep making our own choices.”
The goal is for the Netherlands not to depend on “one country, one company, one player.” American and Chinese companies in particular determine the rapid development of AI. “They have the most money, the largest models and the most computing power.”
Still, the cabinet wants the Netherlands and Europe to step up. The AI vision stresses the importance of working as much as possible within the EU or with other “trusted partners.” Aerdts mentions Singapore, South Korea, Japan and Canada, among others.
At the same time, the cabinet considers cooperation with the United States and China unavoidable, and therefore wants the Netherlands and the EU to work toward “stable and predictable relationships” with these major powers.
AI stands for artificial intelligence. It refers to computer systems that analyze their environment and can, to varying degrees, act independently to achieve goals.
Not only reasoning ability matters, but also the ability to learn and make decisions on their own.
To keep up, the Netherlands must invest more in its own industry, the D66 state secretary argues. She points to ASML and other companies in the Eindhoven region that are developing AI-driven robots.
According to Aerdts, the main task is creating conditions for companies to develop AI here, such as improving the investment climate and establishing clear laws and rules.
The cabinet is allocating little money to boost these efforts. Aerdts’s vision mentions 120 million euros for a European AI project.
Hundreds of billions of dollars circulate in AI worldwide.
Within the cabinet, thinking continues on “room for computing power,” meaning the construction of data centers needed to enable AI, which requires substantial computing power. However, building them is sensitive because data centers use large amounts of water and electricity, and both are not unlimited in the Netherlands.
The discussion is therefore not yet finished; Aerdts wants more clarity on “AI infrastructure” early next year.
Volt leader Dassen, who deals extensively with the subject in the House of Representatives, is critical that the cabinet has so far presented only a vision document. “I expect the cabinet to have real plans.
This is a toothless tiger.” He considers it telling that no real money is being set aside. “AI should be a top priority.
It is not if there is no budget,” Dassen said. “We need money to ensure we can keep up in the global competition now underway.”
