The Netherlands aims for an AI factory
Together with the government and NijBegun, a consortium comprising SURF, TNO, the Dutch AI Coalition (AIC4NL), and Samenwerking Noord submitted a European co-financing application for the establishment of an AI factory in Groningen. This AI factory will strengthen the innovation power of companies, contribute to the technological independence of the Netherlands and strengthen our Dutch earning capacity. In September, we will know whether EuroHPC has awarded the application. Altogether, the amount involved is around €130 million, which could rise to €200 million if granted.
The AI Factory, an expertise centre, data facility and supercomputer, should provide low-threshold access to enormous computing power that companies and researchers need to develop AI models and systems. In this way, the AI factory will help create new jobs, automate processes and accelerate innovations in sectors such as healthcare, mobility and security.
The AI Factory will strengthen our knowledge and innovation position, attract talent and make the Netherlands less dependent on US and Chinese technology platforms where AI applications are currently mainly developed. Groningen is the intended location for the AI factory because of its space, knowledge and available power capacity.
European application
The Dutch AI factory may become part of a European network of AI facilities. The proposal has been submitted to EuroHPC, a European partnership that supports supercomputing and AI facilities with co-financing, among other things. Together with the Dutch government, the consortium has submitted a co-financing application of €70 million to EuroHPC. The cabinet itself is contributing €70 million, and another €60 million is coming from from the Nij Begun funds in Groningen/North Drenthe. This could bring the total investment to €200 million.
Follow-up
In early September, EuroHPC will decide which proposals it will award funding to. If the proposal is awarded, the AI plant is expected to be operational by 2027.
The acquisition and operation of the EuroHPC supercomputer is funded jointly by the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking, through the European Union's Digital Europe programme, as well as the partner countries who have co-funded the supercomputer.
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