Main Event
Main Event
Main Event
Deploying AI at scale across the Netherlands – How to get it right?
1 October 2025
14:00 - 17:00
Bushuis - Oost-Indisch Huis
Kloveniersburgwal 48, 1012 CX Amsterdam
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As Europe races to scale up its AI capabilities, the Netherlands faces a pivotal moment. Will we replicate the US model of scaling up at all costs, or chart our own course that reflects European values, creates economic benefits for society, and retains value within the regions?
AI is rapidly becoming embedded across every industry, and we are told the solution is to build more, scale faster, and to subsidize harder. But the reality is: the infrastructure already exists – it’s just not being used effectively, and it's mostly not European. An estimated €19 billion is extracted annually from European economies through AI infrastructure controlled by US tech giants. They use European energy, land, and resources while providing minimal economic returns through taxes or employment.
Too often, AI services consumed in Europe are bundled with non-European cloud infrastructure, locking in dependency, extracting economic value, and bypassing local providers. The result is a silent outflow of public value – from our energy systems, our land, our grid into the hands of a few dominant players who operate outside of our tax and policy frameworks.
This SDIA event brings together policymakers, regional leaders, infrastructure providers, and AI developers to answer one central question: How do we deploy AI infrastructure in a way that benefits the Dutch economy and society – rather than draining resources to foreign hyperscalers?
Let's get it right - in a way that’s sustainable, sovereign, and good for people.
Do you have something to say? Then sign-up and join the conversation on October 1st, 2025 in Bushuis – Oost-Indisch Huis.
As Europe races to scale up its AI capabilities, the Netherlands faces a pivotal moment. Will we replicate the US model of scaling up at all costs, or chart our own course that reflects European values, creates economic benefits for society, and retains value within the regions?
AI is rapidly becoming embedded across every industry, and we are told the solution is to build more, scale faster, and to subsidize harder. But the reality is: the infrastructure already exists – it’s just not being used effectively, and it's mostly not European. An estimated €19 billion is extracted annually from European economies through AI infrastructure controlled by US tech giants. They use European energy, land, and resources while providing minimal economic returns through taxes or employment.
Too often, AI services consumed in Europe are bundled with non-European cloud infrastructure, locking in dependency, extracting economic value, and bypassing local providers. The result is a silent outflow of public value – from our energy systems, our land, our grid into the hands of a few dominant players who operate outside of our tax and policy frameworks.
This SDIA event brings together policymakers, regional leaders, infrastructure providers, and AI developers to answer one central question: How do we deploy AI infrastructure in a way that benefits the Dutch economy and society – rather than draining resources to foreign hyperscalers?
Let's get it right - in a way that’s sustainable, sovereign, and good for people.
Do you have something to say? Then sign-up and join the conversation on October 1st, 2025 in Bushuis – Oost-Indisch Huis.
As Europe races to scale up its AI capabilities, the Netherlands faces a pivotal moment. Will we replicate the US model of scaling up at all costs, or chart our own course that reflects European values, creates economic benefits for society, and retains value within the regions?
AI is rapidly becoming embedded across every industry, and we are told the solution is to build more, scale faster, and to subsidize harder. But the reality is: the infrastructure already exists – it’s just not being used effectively, and it's mostly not European. An estimated €19 billion is extracted annually from European economies through AI infrastructure controlled by US tech giants. They use European energy, land, and resources while providing minimal economic returns through taxes or employment.
Too often, AI services consumed in Europe are bundled with non-European cloud infrastructure, locking in dependency, extracting economic value, and bypassing local providers. The result is a silent outflow of public value – from our energy systems, our land, our grid into the hands of a few dominant players who operate outside of our tax and policy frameworks.
This SDIA event brings together policymakers, regional leaders, infrastructure providers, and AI developers to answer one central question: How do we deploy AI infrastructure in a way that benefits the Dutch economy and society – rather than draining resources to foreign hyperscalers?
Let's get it right - in a way that’s sustainable, sovereign, and good for people.
Do you have something to say? Then sign-up and join the conversation on October 1st, 2025 in Bushuis – Oost-Indisch Huis.
Supported by Critical Infrastructure Lab
We are commited to full transparency
We are commited to full transparency
This event would not be possible without the support of our sponsor, Critical Infrastructure Lab. We thank their team for their hospitality and support in providing the venue for this event.
Who is this event for?
Regional and national policymakers exploring how to retain value locally and regulate responsibly.
Public and private infrastructure providers building the physical and digital backbone of AI.
AI developers and startups navigating today’s cloud landscape – and looking for alternatives.
Procurement officers and public IT leaders seeking sovereignty, sustainability, and transparency in their tech stack.
Researchers, and civil society voices who want AI to serve people – not just major foreign cloud service providers.
Who is this event for?
Regional and national policymakers exploring how to retain value locally and regulate responsibly.
Public and private infrastructure providers building the physical and digital backbone of AI.
AI developers and startups navigating today’s cloud landscape – and looking for alternatives.
Procurement officers and public IT leaders seeking sovereignty, sustainability, and transparency in their tech stack.
Researchers, and civil society voices who want AI to serve people – not just major foreign cloud service providers.
Who is this event for?
Regional and national policymakers exploring how to retain value locally and regulate responsibly.
Public and private infrastructure providers building the physical and digital backbone of AI.
AI developers and startups navigating today’s cloud landscape – and looking for alternatives.
Procurement officers and public IT leaders seeking sovereignty, sustainability, and transparency in their tech stack.
Researchers, and civil society voices who want AI to serve people – not just major foreign cloud service providers.
Location
Bushuis - Oost-Indisch Huis
Kloveniersburgwal 48, 1012 CX Amsterdam
Special thanks to the Critical Infrastructure Lab for providing this amazing venue once again.
Location
Bushuis - Oost-Indisch Huis
Kloveniersburgwal 48, 1012 CX Amsterdam
Special thanks to the Critical Infrastructure Lab for providing this amazing venue once again.
Location
Bushuis - Oost-Indisch Huis
Kloveniersburgwal 48, 1012 CX Amsterdam
Special thanks to the Critical Infrastructure Lab for providing this amazing venue once again.
Agenda
As AI scales across Europe, one question matters most: How do we make AI good for people and regions and keep the value local?
At this workshop, we’ll move beyond hype and headlines. Together, we’ll explore questions like:
What local value does AI create if everyone just pays for ChatGPT or Claude?
Can Amsterdam call itself an AI hub if it creates no local jobs?
Do we need AI giga-factories to compete with the US — or smarter local strategies?
How can regional governments ensure AI creates more jobs than it replaces?
How do we empower development of local AI?
… and many more!
The Workshop: 3 Cities, 3 Strategies
Participants will split into groups and design a regional AI strategy for:
Amsterdam – A hub for digital solutions, but with a moratorium on new infrastructure.
Groningen – Strong in infrastructure, but lacking local AI and digital providers.
Limburg – Starting from scratch, with neither infrastructure nor solutions providers.
Expected Outcomes
A practical strategy for each region: What’s the plan? What’s needed? What’s the benefit?
Case studies showing how different regions can make AI serve the public good and create local value.
Actionable ideas that policymakers, providers, and citizens can put into practice.
As AI scales across Europe, one question matters most: How do we make AI good for people and regions and keep the value local?
At this workshop, we’ll move beyond hype and headlines. Together, we’ll explore questions like:
What local value does AI create if everyone just pays for ChatGPT or Claude?
Can Amsterdam call itself an AI hub if it creates no local jobs?
Do we need AI giga-factories to compete with the US — or smarter local strategies?
How can regional governments ensure AI creates more jobs than it replaces?
How do we empower development of local AI?
… and many more!
The Workshop: 3 Cities, 3 Strategies
Participants will split into groups and design a regional AI strategy for:
Amsterdam – A hub for digital solutions, but with a moratorium on new infrastructure.
Groningen – Strong in infrastructure, but lacking local AI and digital providers.
Limburg – Starting from scratch, with neither infrastructure nor solutions providers.
Expected Outcomes
A practical strategy for each region: What’s the plan? What’s needed? What’s the benefit?
Case studies showing how different regions can make AI serve the public good and create local value.
Actionable ideas that policymakers, providers, and citizens can put into practice.
As AI scales across Europe, one question matters most: How do we make AI good for people and regions and keep the value local?
At this workshop, we’ll move beyond hype and headlines. Together, we’ll explore questions like:
What local value does AI create if everyone just pays for ChatGPT or Claude?
Can Amsterdam call itself an AI hub if it creates no local jobs?
Do we need AI giga-factories to compete with the US — or smarter local strategies?
How can regional governments ensure AI creates more jobs than it replaces?
How do we empower development of local AI?
… and many more!
The Workshop: 3 Cities, 3 Strategies
Participants will split into groups and design a regional AI strategy for:
Amsterdam – A hub for digital solutions, but with a moratorium on new infrastructure.
Groningen – Strong in infrastructure, but lacking local AI and digital providers.
Limburg – Starting from scratch, with neither infrastructure nor solutions providers.
Expected Outcomes
A practical strategy for each region: What’s the plan? What’s needed? What’s the benefit?
Case studies showing how different regions can make AI serve the public good and create local value.
Actionable ideas that policymakers, providers, and citizens can put into practice.
14:00 - 14:15
Arrival – Coffee & Snacks
14:00 - 14:15
Arrival – Coffee & Snacks
14:00 - 14:15
Arrival – Coffee & Snacks
14:15 - 14:30
Welcome & Context Setting for the Workshop
AI is coming whether we like it or not - how do we make sure the benefits stay local? The workshop is about designing regional AI strategies that work for people, the economy, and the environment.
14:15 - 14:30
Welcome & Context Setting for the Workshop
AI is coming whether we like it or not - how do we make sure the benefits stay local? The workshop is about designing regional AI strategies that work for people, the economy, and the environment.
14:15 - 14:30
Welcome & Context Setting for the Workshop
AI is coming whether we like it or not - how do we make sure the benefits stay local? The workshop is about designing regional AI strategies that work for people, the economy, and the environment.
14:30 - 15:30
Workshop: Design a Regional AI Strategy
Three case studies - Amsterdam, Groningen, Limburg
14:30 - 15:30
Workshop: Design a Regional AI Strategy
Three case studies - Amsterdam, Groningen, Limburg
14:30 - 15:30
Workshop: Design a Regional AI Strategy
Three case studies - Amsterdam, Groningen, Limburg
15:30 - 15:45
Short Break
15:30 - 15:45
Short Break
15:30 - 15:45
Short Break
15:45 - 16:15
Conclusion and Final Takeaways
15:45 - 16:15
Conclusion and Final Takeaways
15:45 - 16:15
Conclusion and Final Takeaways
16:15 - 17:00
Networking
16:15 - 17:00
Networking
16:15 - 17:00
Networking
17:00
End of Event
17:00
End of Event
17:00
End of Event
Sponsors
Would you like to sponsor this event and contribute with food, drinks, or other sponsoring?
Past Events Gallery
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Past Events Gallery
Here are some impressions from our past events:
Past Events Gallery
Here are some impressions from our past events:
