Dutch SMEs Boost Competitiveness with $2.4 Million AI Initiative
Groningen, Wednesday, 2 April 2025.
Professor Ming Cao receives a $2.4 million grant to accelerate AI adoption in Dutch SMEs, enhancing operational efficiency and global competitiveness amidst economic challenges.
Strategic Investment in AI Adoption
The University of Groningen’s Professor Ming Cao will lead a five-year initiative focused on accelerating artificial intelligence implementation within Dutch technical industries [1][2]. The project, funded through the AiNed Growth Fund, aims to address critical ethical, legal, social, and economic challenges that currently hinder AI adoption among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) [1].
Collaborative Approach to Innovation
The initiative brings together an interdisciplinary consortium including researchers from multiple institutions and thirteen industrial partners [1]. The University of Twente and Tilburg University will collaborate with experts from various fields, including law, economics, business administration, and medical sciences [2]. This comprehensive approach ensures that the implementation strategies developed will address the full spectrum of challenges faced by SMEs [3].
Addressing Economic Imperatives
The urgency of this initiative stems from growing concerns about the Netherlands’ global competitiveness. Without accelerated AI adoption in the Dutch technical industry, the sector risks falling behind international competitors and increasing dependence on foreign industries [2]. The project specifically aims to develop practical guidelines and use case families that will provide SMEs with a clear technological roadmap for the coming decade [1].
National Growth Strategy
This initiative is part of the broader AiNed Growth Fund programme, administered by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO), which aims to promote responsible AI development and application among Dutch companies and governments [1]. The project aligns with national efforts to maintain industrial independence while contributing to global sustainability goals [1][4].