Exploration of AI Factory in the Netherlands

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an important technology for the (future) earning potential and prosperity of the Netherlands, with applications in science, business, and government. Government policy is focused on developing a strong AI ecosystem in the Netherlands. At the European level, there is a policy focus on building computing capacity to achieve a global leadership position in AI. The EuroHPC Joint Undertaking has launched a call to establish AI factories based on co-financing. An AI factory is defined as:

A centralized or distributed entity that offers a service infrastructure for AI supercomputing, consisting of a supercomputer optimized for AI or an AI-focused part of a supercomputer, an associated data centre, specific access, AI-oriented supercomputing services, and attracts and combines talent to supply the competencies needed to utilize supercomputers for AI.

In response to the developments in AI and in anticipation of the call from EuroHPC JU, the ministries of Education, Economic Affairs, and Interior and Kingdom Relations have announced a joint exploration based on three policy options:

• B1. Use existing resources and tools.
• B2. Invest more in participation in future European AI factories with a hub in the Netherlands.
• B3. Establish an AI factory in the Netherlands.

To explore the utility and necessity of an AI factory, three cases have been developed by various actors in the system: a science case focused on scientific value (developed by AI researchers), a public sector case focused on the benefits for the Dutch government and service provision (developed by Interior and Kingdom Relations), and a business case focused on economic value (developed by AiNed). Dialogic has been tasked with conducting a meta-analysis to substantiate the decision-making based on the three policy options. For the meta-analysis, we have developed an analytical framework outlining criteria, prerequisites, and supporting policies related to the AI ecosystem and an AI factory in the Netherlands. The meta-analysis was carried out by assessing the three cases using this framework. Throughout the process, discussions were held with the authors of the cases, and any gaps were addressed through conversations with stakeholders from the AI ecosystem. The research has been presented to the Dutch House of Representatives. Read the Chamber letter and the research report here.