Netherlands adopts AI strategy focused on sovereignty, security and public values

The Dutch government has adopted a national vision for artificial intelligence (AI) aimed at strengthening the Netherlands’ and Europe’s position in the field while preserving public values and access to strategically important technologies.

The strategy focuses on three areas: responsible AI development and adoption, access to advanced AI and security, and maintaining public oversight of the wider technological transition.

The government does not seek complete technological independence. Instead, it wants the Netherlands and Europe to retain sufficient expertise, infrastructure and capacity to make strategic choices and maintain access to critical technologies, while continuing to cooperate with trusted international partners.

The vision identifies healthcare, energy, food production, security and high-tech industry as sectors where Dutch expertise and AI could support economic opportunities and societal needs.

Infrastructure is a central part of the strategy. The government identifies talent, capital, data and computing capacity as necessary conditions for the growth of Dutch AI companies and wider adoption. It is preparing a broader policy approach to data centres and expects to publish a more detailed plan for national AI infrastructure and computing capacity in early 2027.

The government also plans to encourage wider sharing of successful AI applications across the public sector and improve coordination in public procurement.

Security is another priority. The cabinet warns that AI could make cyberattacks more sophisticated and facilitate disinformation and influence operations. It also aims to reduce excessive dependence on a small number of foreign technology providers.

The possibility of establishing a Dutch AI safety institute is being examined, although no decision has been taken.

The third area concerns public oversight and participation. The government plans to support implementation of the EU AI Act, enable supervised experimentation with new applications and improve public understanding of AI. It also intends to involve citizens in discussions about the technology’s opportunities and limits during 2027 and 2028.

A third-party analysis of the strategy points to the limits of the Netherlands’ ambitions for strategic autonomy, given its continued reliance on foreign AI providers and infrastructure. The government’s approach therefore combines efforts to strengthen domestic and European capabilities with continued international cooperation.