Connection with AI

AI is nothing new and seems to have been linked to the work of technologists for years. What’s wrong with that? “AI has been around for more than sixty years, but in recent years AI has taken a new dimension with the presence of generative AI, one of which is the most famous ChatGPT. We are currently in the next wave of technological development which has given birth to many new technologies. new company. And Additionally, many of the companies that collaborate with Techleap have had to change their ways to keep up with new solutions to the same problems that work much more efficiently and effectively. Every company is looking for ways and in which companies they can introduce it. A.I. Today, this is a very important factor in the success of technology startups.”

Consumers versus producers in technology

According to the technology leader, the Netherlands is an enterprising country. He particularly sees a lot of entrepreneurial spirit in health and energy applications, in (sustainable) impact, as well as Saas and fintech companies. “If you look at AI purely, we can say that we have a pretty good foundation in the developer space and the science is sound. In Europe we are a sub-topper, but we cannot say that we are a top player in the field. the field of AI is.”

According to him, the idea that AI development is taking place mostly in Silicon Valley, France and China seems partly true. “Take America’s OpenAI for example. Even before they produce a product like ChatGPT, a lot of investment has been made in it. A certain climate, sufficient funding, talent density and an open data culture are the most important requirements for this. AI discoveries to be launched.”

The technology champion made a comparison with the Netherlands. “Here we find it more difficult to share data. There are all kinds of privacy rules that are sometimes not even relevant, but encourage people to be careful. The whole culture of sharing data – as fuel for AI – is, in my opinion, better in America.”

Even though there are a number of challenges that make it difficult for European countries to take steps, Van Oranje believes we should not forget that we can definitely do it in Europe. “For example, Google’s AI department, which emerged from Deepmind in the UK, and ChatGPT, which has a female CTO from Albania. However, to truly scale up AI development, money and facilities are needed to improve it further. we have too little here and in Silicon Valley, for example, a lot. And this has an impact, because as an entrepreneur you don’t think too big, for example because you think there’s no point. Where do you want to leave? 10 billion for your idea?”

Take Google’s AI department, for example. This comes from Deepmind from the UK.

Survival for those who are most financially able

The special envoy would like to comment on the above matter. “It’s not that we don’t invest at all – for example Invest-NL and all kinds of other financial schemes – but we don’t make technology and AI a special priority. When I look at the election manifesto, technology and industrial policy are completely sidelined. priority. We’re obviously busy with other things. Not to mention the 30% reduction in regulations for expatriates. We are reducing the number of foreign students and expatriates due to housing problems. While we really need them. “

He said that many companies in Eindhoven want talent in the technology sector. “If your priority is for the Netherlands to be relevant in technology, innovate and also have companies like ASML in the future, then the consequence is, among other things, to overcome the housing shortage. You can combine technology and housing can not be seen separately.” According to this technology expert, we now see them as two separate things. “It’s a shame. If as a country you say you want to build a technologically leading company, then you must also be open to the fact that talent can come to those companies. If you don’t do this, you will lose. them and at some point you will be in the technology field and the AI ​​field against countries like the UK, France, the Gulf countries , Singapore, America and China.”

He continued his story about how the UK is doing in the field of AI. “They are competing hard to attract the best talent in AI, engineering and technology to their countries.” How can we as Dutch people follow this example? “Fiscally, with a supportive ecosystem, by making people feel valued for their talents and by expressing what we want to achieve in technology,” answered Van Oranje.

Role for government. Role for the company

These tech messengers are very clear about the role that tech companies should play. “They eventually did! The government doesn’t build physically – in bridges and roads – but creates an environment where anything can happen. Entrepreneurs have to be able to build, be able to do business. Usually you need people and money for that, and a little bit of infrastructure can facilitated by you as the government, but ultimately technological innovation comes from the entrepreneurs themselves. Again, a culture is needed where entrepreneurship can be initiated and rewarded. This is a choice you have as a country.”

He gave the example of France, where AI innovation can expect a lot of money from the government, and Sweden and Estonia, where financing is mostly carried out by the private sector and the government has a smaller role. “Before you make a choice like that, you have to believe that there is a competitive rivalry going on in the tech space, and you too could lose. Wouldn’t we mind taking a few steps back? To see things through? Then that’s the choice, but you can’t claim that you want to be autonomous and digitally sovereign. In this case, you become a consumer of what other people produce in the field of technology and more specifically in the field of AI.”