Netherlands Emphasizes Sustainable AI Over Size in New Strategy
Amsterdam, Friday, 5 December 2025.
A study by Invest-NL and ROM Nederland advises the Netherlands to focus on next-gen AI and sustainable innovation, highlighting data quality and energy efficiency as key to future resilience.
Strategic Focus on Energy-Efficient AI
The Netherlands is strategically focusing on advancing next-generation AI technologies that emphasize energy efficiency and data quality, rather than competing in the global race to develop larger and more complex AI models. This strategy, as outlined in a recent study by Invest-NL and ROM Nederland, underscores the importance of sustainable innovation. Stefan Leijnen, an AI expert, highlights that the future of AI lies in models that learn through sensors, robotics, and real-world interactions, prioritizing energy efficiency and privacy [1][2].
Addressing Societal Challenges
This innovative approach aims to address key societal challenges such as climate change, healthcare, and sustainable energy. By investing in sectors where the Netherlands holds a competitive advantage, such as high-tech manufacturing, healthcare, and agricultural technology, the country can leverage its unique industrial data and hardware integration capabilities. The study suggests that these sectors offer significant potential for AI applications that are difficult to replicate elsewhere due to their dependency on specialized data and energy-efficient models [2][3].
Investment and Infrastructure
Invest-NL and ROM Nederland recommend substantial investments in AI startups and hardware, with proposed funding allocations of €20–30 million for software and applications, and over €100 million for hardware and foundational models. Additionally, the concept of an ‘AI Gigafactory’ is proposed as a national facility to bolster energy-efficient edge AI, local computing power, and privacy-friendly technology. This infrastructure would not only enhance the Netherlands’ AI capabilities but also support broader European AI autonomy [1][3].
The Role of European Collaboration
The study emphasizes the necessity of stronger European collaboration to prevent fragmentation in investments, data, and infrastructure. By aligning efforts across the continent, the Netherlands can play a pivotal role in shaping the future of AI in Europe. The strategic focus on real-world learning and energy efficiency positions the Netherlands at the forefront of AI innovation, ensuring it contributes significantly to European economic growth and the protection of European values [1][2].