The Dutch government has unveiled its vision for generative AI, promising to invest more than EUR 200 million to encourage local investment while backing provisional European Union (EU) AI Act legislation.
The government announced that its National Growth Fund will contribute EUR 204.5 million to a new program, with the intention of launching public-private partnerships, ensuring the use of responsible generative AI applications in specific government services, and establishing a dedicated team to assess current usage.
The Need for Regulatory Clarity
Additionally, the government announced its intention to start implementing the EU's groundbreaking AI Act in December 2023, even though the law has not been formally enacted or finalized.
Thomas van Oortmerssen, a representative of the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations of the Netherlands, explained that the government wanted to “start dealing with what we know instead of waiting for final answers,” adding that businesses would benefit from regulatory clarity.
By initiating the implementation of the EU's AI Act and addressing known aspects instead of awaiting final answers, businesses can gain a clearer understanding of the regulatory landscape. This clarity can help them navigate compliance requirements more effectively, make informed decisions, and adapt their operations to align with upcoming regulations, fostering a more stable and predictable business environment.
Sustainable AI Development
The vision also aims to ensure that AI benefits human well-being and autonomy while also contributing to sustainability and prosperity.
Sustainable AI development is essential to align artificial intelligence with human values, prioritizing ethical considerations, and ensuring responsible deployment. It addresses environmental concerns, minimizing the carbon footprint and ecological impact associated with AI infrastructure. The overarching goal is to create AI technologies that contribute to human well-being, autonomy, and prosperity while minimizing negative consequences.
The Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy of The Netherlands, Micky Adriaansens, added that the Netherlands must not remain on the sidelines when it comes to AI, noting that “Asia and the US have already taken the lead and Europe will have to catch up.”
