The South Netherlands region will set up the ‘AI hub South-Holland’. This network organisation will create a single signboard and joint point of contact for companies and knowledge institutions that want to work with Artificial Intelligence (AI). In this way, the AI hub will serve one of the largest AI ecosystems in the Netherlands, consisting of knowledge institutions (together, +-1000 scientists with an AI specialization), the business community and public partners.
The AI hub has received so-called kick-start funding from the Netherlands AI Coalition. With the formation of the hub, consortia are being strengthened and the AINED report ‘Versnellen, Vergroten en Verbinden’ and the Action Agenda of the Netherlands AI Coalition are being followed up.
The hub will continue to build on the regional ecosystem strategy that has already been set up. One of its focal points is the close cooperation between the South Netherland knowledge institutes and public and private organisations in the field of integrated AI knowledge development and innovation. The hub focuses on accelerating innovation around AI and ‘data authentication’ in the South. Special attention is paid to supporting and shaping strong application areas of AI such as peace, law and security; port and maritime; energy and sustainability; health and care; and technical industry. The hub is keen to realize a single signboard and a single point of contact for companies and knowledge institutions in the province of South Netherlands that want to work with AI. A final spearhead is to make the potential of AI visible to the region.
The AI hub already consists of Delft University of Technology (coordinator), Erasmus University Rotterdam, ErasmusMC, Leiden University, LUMC, InnovationQuarter, TNO, Province of South Holland, Municipality of Rotterdam, Municipality of The Hague and the Economic Board of South Holland. Through the Taskforce Digital of the Economic Board, ORTEC, T-Mobile, Batenburg Technology and KPN are also involved. The hub aims to include all South Netherland public and private parties, including the universities of applied sciences. Where possible, the hub will seek to connect to or build on existing initiatives in the region, such as the new European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH).
