Cabinet Opts for “AI for Everyone” 

On Friday, November 6, the cabinet presented its AI vision. We applaud the government’s ambitions: to implement AI more quickly and responsibly, to give Dutch AI companies room to grow, and to work with Europe to maintain access to and control over crucial technology. 

The Cabinet's Vision at a Glance 

Three proposals in the government’s vision stand out to us:  

Computing Power for the Netherlands. According to the vision, access to computing capacity is crucial for the development and application of AI. In the first quarter of 2027, the Cabinet will provide the House of Representatives with further information on AI infrastructure. It is important to us that startups, small and medium-sized enterprises, and researchers have access to the resources they need to develop and test their models. 

Joint government procurement. The cabinet plans to strengthen joint procurement and continue developing a digital marketplace for validated AI applications. Government agencies don’t all have to reinvent the wheel on their own. 

Safe testing and timely identification of risks. The government wants companies to be able to easily engage with regulators and, to that end, is focusing, among other things, on establishing a regulatory sandbox with the designated market regulators. It is also exploring the creation of a Dutch AI safety institute.  

Nardie Scharenborg, director of AIC4NL, comments: “We welcome the government’s vision on AI. This reflects AIC4NL’s focus on AI Fair Tech—that is, the responsible development and application of AI in the Netherlands.” 
 
 

“We welcome the government’s vision on AI. It reflects AIC4NL’s focus on a responsible AI transition, AI resilience, and AI sovereignty, as outlined in our position papers.” 

Nardie Scharenborg, director of AIC4NL

AI Fair Tech 

AI only truly delivers value when the technology is developed and applied according to clear principles. At AI Fair Tech, there are three such principles: responsible, sovereign, and resilient. Responsible means that we develop and apply AI with respect for public values, fundamental rights, and human dignity. Sovereign means that the Netherlands and Europe can choose for themselves which technology and providers to use, and can switch to alternatives if necessary. Resilient means that organizations can continue to function if systems fail or are misused, and can adapt to rapid changes. 

What AIC4NL Advocates For 

In our three position papers, we outline what is needed to achieve this: targeted investments, a coherent European AI industrial policy, and AI models for sectors in which the Netherlands excels.  

In our first position paper on the AI investment agenda for the Netherlands, we argue that at least 5 billion euros in investments are needed over five years. This will enable us to strengthen the infrastructure, build a Dutch AI industry, and deploy AI for applications in sectors that are strategic for the Netherlands. 

In addition to investments, we also see a role for the government as the first customer. For example, it can support a promising Dutch AI company by giving it the opportunity to prove the value of its application and scale it up. In our second position paper on the European AI industry, we therefore advocate for an industrial policy in which regulation, innovation, and investment reinforce one another. Public procurement is one of the tools for achieving this. 

Start in those areas where the Netherlands already possesses internationally distinctive knowledge and data. In our third position paper, “Domain-Specific AI Models,” we demonstrate that a shared technological foundation emerges when companies and research institutions in sectors such as water management, agri-food, and high-tech pool their knowledge and data to jointly develop AI models. Clear agreements on access and control keep that foundation intact, allowing companies to build their own applications on it and continue to compete independently. 

Let's Get to Work Together 

The cabinet will use the coming period to further develop its strategies. The vision lays a solid foundation. The next step is implementation with impact: in ecosystems and regions where government, the business community, and knowledge institutions come together and possess substantial investment capacity. As AI Coalition 4 NL, we stand ready—together with our participants and partners—to contribute our knowledge, expertise, network, and tools to turn these ambitions into concrete impact for the Netherlands. Let’s get to work!   

 Would you like to join? Find out how you can participate in AIC4NL.