New AI hub in Zuid-Holland
The region of Zuid-Holland is launching ‘AI Hub Zuid-Holland’. This network organisation will be a single point of contact for business and knowledge institutions in Zuid-Holland that want to work with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The hub will serve one of the largest AI ecosystems in the Netherlands, comprising knowledge institutions (home to around 1000 academics who specialise in AI), businesses and public partners.
AI Hub Zuid-Holland will build on an existing regional ecosystem strategy, focusing, among others, on close collaboration between the knowledge institutions in Zuid-Holland (research universities, universities of applied sciences, TNO) and public and private organisations in the area of integrated AI knowledge development and innovation. A further focus will be on accelerating AI-related developments and innovation, and the ‘datafication’ of Zuid-Holland. The hub will also devote particular attention to supporting and giving shape to compelling areas of application for AI, such as peace, justice and security; ports and maritime; energy and sustainability; health care; and the technical industry. The aim is for the hub to become a single point of entry and contact for businesses and knowledge institutions in Zuid-Holland that wish to work with AI, and to increase the visibility of the potential of AI in the region.
AI Hub Zuid-Holland has received ‘kickstart’ funding from the Dutch AI Coalition (NL AIC). Its creation intensifies existing consortia and is a response to the ‘Accelerate, increase and connect’ report (in Dutch) by AI for the Netherlands (AINED) and the Action Agenda published by NL AIC.
AI Hub Zuid-Holland already includes: Delft University of Technology (coordinator), Erasmus University Rotterdam, Erasmus MC, Leiden University, LUMC, InnovationQuarter, TNO, the Province of Zuid-Holland, the Municipality of Rotterdam, the Municipality of The Hague and the Economic Board of Zuid-Holland. ORTEC, T-Mobile, Batenburg Technologie and KPN are on board through the Economic Board of Zuid-Holland’s Digital Taskforce. The Hub hopes to attract other public and private partners such as universities of applied sciences (The Hague University of Applied Sciences) Where possible, it will try to join forces with or build upon existing initiatives in the region, such as the soon to be developed European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH).