Invest-NL: Netherlands could compete in next-generation AI within five years
The Netherlands could develop a position in next-generation artificial intelligence within five years, according to a report by Invest-NL in collaboration with ROM Nederland. The study states that the country is unlikely to compete with the United States and China in large AI language models but could focus on AI systems that interact with physical processes.
AI expert Stefan Leijnen, the report’s author, described next-generation AI as “models that learn through sensors, robotics, and interaction with the real world. These models must be energy-efficient and privacy-friendly.”
The report identifies sectors where Dutch AI activity is concentrated, including agriculture technology, logistics, high-tech manufacturing, energy, healthcare, and scientific research. It also proposes a large-scale “AI Giga Factory” to support distributed edge-AI, energy-efficient hardware, and privacy-conscious computing as a foundation for autonomous AI development in the Netherlands and Europe.
Invest-NL and ROM Nederland call for a coordinated AI industry policy. According to the report, young AI companies need funding of 20 million to 30 million euros to reach profitability, while global competitiveness in hardware and AI models requires more than 100 million euros. The study recommends increased European collaboration, government-supported adoption in healthcare, energy, research, and security, and public institutions to oversee key data and infrastructure.
The report concludes that strategic investments are necessary to develop the country’s AI capacity. “Our investment policy must focus on larger tickets for AI startups and hardware developers, invest where the market falls short, and connect parties around a long-term strategic agenda. This deep-dive shows exactly where those opportunities lie,” the report states.
