Dutch Prince Calls for Strategic AI Push Beyond ChatGPT-Style Models

2026-02-21 data

The Hague, Saturday, 21 February 2026.
Prince Constantijn warns against blanket AI rejection as Netherlands struggles with tech stagnation despite having Europe’s highest AI talent density at 10.9 professionals per 10,000 residents.

Beyond Language Models: A Call for Strategic Focus

Prince Constantijn van Oranje-Nassau, serving as Special Envoy for Startups and Technology at Techleap, delivered a pointed message on February 19, 2026, emphasizing that artificial intelligence extends far beyond current language model applications [1]. Speaking about the Netherlands’ AI strategy, he argued that the country must move beyond reactionary responses to embrace strategic AI development. “Just because there are major risks associated with AI, we must do something with the technology, and not only as a government, but also as companies and citizens. If we don’t build, then American companies will do it and then we have no control over it,” Prince Constantijn stated [1]. His comments come as the Dutch tech ecosystem faces mounting pressure to compete globally while maintaining European values and regulatory standards.

The AI Talent Paradox

The Netherlands possesses a remarkable advantage in AI talent density, boasting 10.9 AI professionals per 10,000 inhabitants—the highest concentration in Europe [3][7]. However, this strength has not translated into proportional commercial success. Dutch AI companies receive only 27% of the country’s venture capital investments, significantly below the European average of 32% and dramatically less than the United States’ 60% [3]. The conversion rate tells an even starker story: Dutch AI startups achieve scaleup status at just 21.2%, compared to the European average of 31.1% and a quarter of the American rate of 80.9% [7]. This disconnect between talent availability and commercial scaling represents what experts describe as the Netherlands’ “AI paradox” [7].

Foreign Investment Dominance and Domestic Gaps

The funding landscape for Dutch AI companies reveals heavy dependence on international capital. In 2025, foreign investors provided 76% of Dutch AI investments [3], with this figure rising to 75% specifically for AI startups [7]. American investors’ participation in breakout funding rounds worth 50 to 100 million euros increased dramatically from 14% to 40% [4]. Meanwhile, European investor participation in Dutch companies plummeted from 55% to 21% [4]. This trend concerns Prince Constantijn, who advocates for maintaining “as much control as possible over our future” through domestic AI development capabilities [1]. The lack of deep-pocketed domestic investors means that when companies require substantial growth capital, they increasingly turn to foreign sources, potentially compromising strategic autonomy.

Strategic Sectors and Future Focus

Prince Constantijn argues that the Netherlands should concentrate on sectors where it demonstrates natural advantages, particularly in developing more efficient semiconductor technologies [1]. The country’s strength in deeptech provides a compelling model: while deeptech companies represent only 12% of the Dutch tech ecosystem, they account for 41% of all scaleups and achieve a remarkable 39% scaleup ratio—more than double the 17% rate for non-deeptech companies [3][4]. This sector attracted 42% of Dutch venture capital in 2025, far exceeding the European average of 28% [3]. The success stems from the Netherlands’ established expertise around companies like ASML and Philips, particularly in regions like Brabant around the High Tech Campus Eindhoven [3]. Prince Constantijn’s vision extends this model to AI development, suggesting that strategic focus on specific technological niches could replicate deeptech’s success while reducing dependence on American technology platforms.

Bronnen

artificial intelligence technology strategy