More than 50 leading Dutch scientists, tech founders, and policymakers are calling for a national "AI Delta Plan": a coordinated, multi-billion-euro strategy to prevent the Netherlands from slipping behind the United States, China, and fast-moving European rivals in artificial intelligence development. Their appeal, delivered to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, argues that the country needs long-term funding, computing power, and a coherent industrial strategy comparable in ambition to the post-war Delta Works that protected the nation from flooding.
Why the Netherlands Needs to Act Now
Despite possessing strong foundations in high-tech sectors, agriculture, logistics, energy, globally recognised universities, and companies like ASML, the Netherlands currently lacks a coordinated, large-scale approach to advancing AI. The experts warn that without decisive intervention, Dutch firms will be forced to license critical capabilities from abroad: paying rent for foreign computing power and platforms rather than building domestic strengths.
Two dynamics are colliding that make action urgent. First, computing costs and model complexity are rising dramatically, consolidating power among a handful of global tech giants. Second, EU regulation including the AI Act is crystallising, while public funding instruments are being reshaped across the bloc. Countries that move early will capture research labs, talent, and anchor projects that determine future competitiveness.
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What the Plan Proposes
The signatories want government and industry to jointly invest at scale in four key areas:
Computing infrastructure and power: Public-private access to cutting-edge GPUs and national data facilities so researchers and startups can train and deploy state-of-the-art AI models without depending on foreign cloud providers.
Talent and research: Sustained financing for universities and labs, plus streamlined visas, scholarships, and competitive salaries to attract and retain top AI researchers and engineers who might otherwise move to the US or China.
Strategic applications: Incentives to deploy AI in sectors where the Netherlands already excels—semiconductors, logistics, life sciences, energy, and agriculture: turning existing strengths into AI advantages.
Responsible AI and safety: Clear standards, testing capabilities, and auditing systems so deployment keeps pace with safeguards and EU regulatory requirements.
The experts also recommend establishing two new research institutes: an AI Impact Institute and the Nationaal Agentschap voor Disruptieve Innovatie (NADI), modelled on the US agency DARPA to fund high-risk, high-impact research projects. Additionally, they propose creating a "special economic zone" where regulatory exemptions would enable rapid innovation and testing, such as large-scale deployment of autonomous vehicles and drones.
Recent Steps Show What's Possible
Recent Dutch moves demonstrate what a scaled program could achieve. In June, the government earmarked €70 million for an AI facility in Groningen and sought matching EU funding: signalling that strategically placed computing and research hubs are possible, though single-project grants won't substitute for a comprehensive national plan.
The proposals align with steps other countries are taking and include pooling state, university, and enterprise demand to negotiate computing capacity; creating mission-led funding windows for applied AI in logistics, maritime technology, chip design, climate tech, and healthcare; and establishing safety and evaluation labs to conduct red-teaming, bias testing, and robustness checks.
What's at Stake
The appeal frames AI as horizontal infrastructure, like roads or electricity, that underpins competitiveness, public services, and security. Credible analyses suggest generative AI could meaningfully reduce the heavy administrative burden on Dutch SMEs, improving productivity. Without domestic capability, the Netherlands risks dependence on foreign AI platforms, creating lock-in and governance challenges for critical sectors.
Dutch media outlets have also warned that unchecked dominance of large tech platforms could reshape the public information sphere. Building local AI capability with proper guardrails addresses both competitive and democratic concerns.
The Political Moment
The timing is deliberate. Coalition talks and cabinet priorities are being set, with interest groups lobbying for infrastructure and technology commitments. The expert group argues that AI should be treated like strategic infrastructure, not a discretionary innovation budget, and funded accordingly over multiple years.
