A strong technology position in AI requires more than just a commitment to AI. From a strategic point of view, one can look at the broader technological ecosystem and the "critical" innovation assets within it. In the Working Paper The Technological Ecosystem of AI in the Netherlands, Babette Bakker, Devin Diran, Claudio Lazo, Govert Gijsbers and Amber Geurts of TNO analyze what this technological ecosystem of AI looks like in the Netherlands. What are its strengths and weaknesses?
In Working, the authors distinguish five main types of technology assets: core assets, complementary assets, supporting infrastructure, data and standards. They also took a look at the demand for these assets in five sectors. Specifically, they look at the domains of mobility, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture and industry.
1. Unlocking and sharing data is currently the first main bottleneck. Establishing a data sharing infrastructure is therefore a prerequisite for a strong technology ecosystem of ai. Data platforms and data standards are the key elements to drive AI implementations in the near term;
2. The maturity of the sensor network varies by sector, and thus the maturity of the technology ecosystem. Therefore, even if the data sharing infrastructure is in place, a difference in speed of AI uptake by sector must be taken into account;
3. A chip shortage occurs at the European level. This is a critical link in the technology ecosystem. A shortage of computer chips can have a major impact on the broad development of ai due to the computing power in ai products being of great importance, but also through the supporting infrastructure such as data centers and networks for Internet of Things , wearables and other electronics;
4. The provision of AI services and products. The role of the Netherlands in producing AI systems varies by sector. This increases reliance on AI products that are trained on data from the usa, and then require additional resources and time to implement in the Dutch context.
5. For the AI products and services that the Netherlands develops, it can build on a strong knowledge position in the field of AI. However, the Netherlands does remain dependent on AI-related services and products from tech giants, for cloud services, and in the future for integrated AI facilities. The impact this dependence has on the technological ecosystem of the various sectors is difficult to assess.
6. Many AI products and services are created by combining AI with complementary technologies, such as immersive technology and robotics. The importance of complementary technologies can also be seen in autonomous factories, autonomous greenhouses and infrastructure maintenance, for example.
7. In the long term, there is an increasing focus on systems that communicate with each other. These elements in the AI technological ecosystem ensure that the Netherlands can be a testing ground for the uptake of AI products and services.
Further research is needed to develop strategies on these issues to maintain or strengthen the AI technological ecosystem to achieve rapid uptake of AI and AI applications in the private and public sectors.
This sub-study was conducted within the advisory project "Artificial Intelligence. The aim of this project is to gain insight into the impact AI will have on Dutch society, particularly in the longer term.
Download the Working Paper here.
