In short:
- US and Chinese AI models and their embedded normative biases are spreading, without any clear European counterbalance or alternative
- The Netherlands and the EU need an AI diplomacy strategy that builds a modular tech offer to safeguard global AI diversity, openness, and democratic governance
- By working on AI diplomacy through the EU’s Global Gateway, the Netherlands can also strengthen its own competitiveness and digital development
- Dutch technological niches that are in high global demand and make for concrete sectoral offerings include agritech, cybersecurity, healthtech, and edtech
As the United States and China spread their AI influence and governance approaches, the European Union and its member states lag behind. European efforts are needed to ensure that human-centred approaches, practical AI applications, and ethical governance frameworks are available and internationally adopted. Trusted AI partnerships are a vehicle towards this goal.
Depending on the needs of partner countries, trusted AI partnerships can combine six core elements: governance, regulation and auditing, sectoral AI applications, AI infrastructure, and critical resources; all underpinned by talent exchanges, capacity building, and human-centred approaches.
Trusted AI partnerships involve a dual track of building relationships with tech-advanced countries to align on a shared vision, while partnering with tech-developing countries to contribute sectoral expertise and governance approaches. The EU’s global gateway provides an excellent platform for doing this.
EU member states can develop these trusted AI partnerships by mapping their technological niches, identifying strategic partner countries and needs, and continuously updating competitive tech offerings. As a tech-advanced EU member state and long-time proponent of ethical AI, the Netherlands is well placed to help build trusted AI partnerships as part of its AI diplomacy.
This policy brief provides an overview of Dutch sectoral AI offerings, suitable strategic partners, and the needs of these partners; exploring what getting from strategy to action with trusted AI partnerships would look like for the Netherlands as an EU member state.
About the authors:
Maaike Heijmans is a senior research fellow at the Clingendael Institute, where she leads the ‘Geopolitics of Technology and Digitalisation’ programme.
Alexandre F. Gomes is a Research Fellow at Clingendael, where he is part of the EU & Global Affairs Unit and of the ‘Geopolitics of Technology and Digitalisation’ programme.