08-10-2019 More than 65 companies, social organizations and research institutions are launching the Dutch AI Coalition today. The parties, including MKB-Nederland and VNO-NCW, want the Netherlands to become a major player in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). The initiative was presented at the same time as the Government-wide Strategic Action Plan AI (SAPAI).
Worries, opportunities, flowering
“Only by working together can we remove the concerns that some people have, take advantage of the opportunities and bring the Dutch AI agenda to full bloom,” said Cees Oudshoorn, director of VNO-NCW and MKB-Nederland and others. initiator of the Dutch AI Coalition (NL AIC). The intention is for coalition participants to present plans that contribute to the central government action plan. In addition, the coalition is working on large-scale actions, for example to make employees and employers within small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) aware of the opportunities of AI and to offer additional training for digital skills.
Ropes in their own hands
According to the coalition, the Netherlands and the EU can distinguish themselves with a collaborative approach in which public values, fundamental rights and the human side of AI occupy a prominent place in new AI applications. “With the Dutch AI Coalition, we want to ensure that AI does not happen to us, but that we are in control,” says Focco Vijselaar of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate.
400 extra researchers
NL AIC wants, among other things, to form one national AI knowledge and innovation network that will connect all the different AI initiatives of companies and research centers. The network should include a budget for around 400 extra researchers and for AI initiatives in areas where the Netherlands can stand out internationally. NL AIC then thinks of the agricultural sector, healthcare, technical industry and safety. Work is also underway on a plan to bring a European top center for AI research to the Netherlands. This can further strengthen the currently relatively good starting position of the Netherlands and work as a magnet for new talent and activity.
Business and ministry
The Dutch AI Coalition was originally an initiative of VNO-NCW, MKB-Nederland, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, TNO, Seedlink, Philips, Ahold Delhaize, IBM, and Topteam Dutch Digital Delta. More information about the NL AIC, the action agenda and all partners participating can be found on the coalition website: www.nlaic.com.
Launch of AI Coalition with Mona Keijzer
Artificial intelligence is an incredible opportunity and a prerequisite for continuing to participate in the economy of the future. And that is important for the jobs of our (grand) children, “said State Secretary Mona Keijzer at the presentation of the AI Coalition. She emphasizes the cooperation between entrepreneurs, educational and research institutions and governments. “We can't live without each other.”
Also listen to this podcast about AI
What is AI, what is possible and what are the ethical sensitivities?
A podcast with Max Welling (professor of machine learning at the University of Amsterdam and known from De Wereld Draait Door), Rina Joosten (co-founder of Seedlink) and Jeroen van den Hoven (professor of ethics at TU Delft).
Source: https://www.mkb.nl/nieuws/65-partners-lanceren-nederlandse-ai-coalitie