In 2025, Radboud AI and AI-Hub Oost-Nederland jointly organized a strategic roundtable session on the future of AI and data infrastructure in the Eastern Netherlands. Under the title “AI Factories &amp; the Need for Expertise in the Eastern Netherlands,” researchers, startups, companies, and data centers engaged in a discussion.The meeting took place in light of the AI Continent Action Plan, which aims to accelerate AI developments in Europe. This includes targeted investments in AI Factories, AI Gigafactories, and sustainable data and computing infrastructure. These developments are also visible in the Netherlands, notably with the arrival of the AI Factory in Groningen, of which AIC4NL is a co-initiator.Key questions during the roundtable were: What does the Eastern Netherlands need to maintain and further expand its strong position within the European AI landscape? And what regional needs arise in this regard in terms of computing power and infrastructure? &nbsp;<img class="image_resized" style="aspect-ratio:4032/3024;width:67.4%;" src="https://cms.aihub-oost.nl/uploads/w_Cy_CG_Ax_Mu7zsw7a8_D_Fo3_Okpp_Ueht4_NF_6_Mg_K_Ngj_C8_37e9c48d38.jpg?token=GKQd3azr3f4IErEsKnihwJhuUZG9htgxh4PI3lKQ2ZY&amp;expires=1775659827" alt="wCyCGAxMu7zsw7a8DFo3OkppUeht4NF6MgKNgjC8.jpg" srcset="https://cms.aihub-oost.nl/uploads/thumbnail_w_Cy_CG_Ax_Mu7zsw7a8_D_Fo3_Okpp_Ueht4_NF_6_Mg_K_Ngj_C8_37e9c48d38.jpg?token=WYOhxByDjRYu0fraSGGr2C5SfhXiHlvvUucMkew3IMQ&amp;expires=1775659827 208w,https://cms.aihub-oost.nl/uploads/small_w_Cy_CG_Ax_Mu7zsw7a8_D_Fo3_Okpp_Ueht4_NF_6_Mg_K_Ngj_C8_37e9c48d38.jpg?token=QmG-LbphKSwzFi-koSRWYCFvCCCt4LOvccOnEwqq4Ls&amp;expires=1775659827 500w,https://cms.aihub-oost.nl/uploads/medium_w_Cy_CG_Ax_Mu7zsw7a8_D_Fo3_Okpp_Ueht4_NF_6_Mg_K_Ngj_C8_37e9c48d38.jpg?token=xTMhGCT8W5c3_D8S9xfqtDZkdehMaltr4oFZ7EgxUzY&amp;expires=1775659827 750w,https://cms.aihub-oost.nl/uploads/large_w_Cy_CG_Ax_Mu7zsw7a8_D_Fo3_Okpp_Ueht4_NF_6_Mg_K_Ngj_C8_37e9c48d38.jpg?token=OUrvYNnIqKRkvGFkk8kYZMO9K7kMeHzcM-x0_1gOUTY&amp;expires=1775659827 1000w," sizes="100vw" width="4032" height="3024">Image: Roundtable session “AI Factories &amp; the Need for Expertise in East Netherlands”<h1>Data and AI Infrastructure in the Eastern Netherlands</h1>The key insights and shared concerns from the roundtable session have been compiled in the white paper Data and AI infrastructure in East Netherlands. The document is not a new policy framework, but a reflection of current regional priorities: the needs of researchers and entrepreneurs, the opportunities offered by the East Netherlands, and the role that regional collaboration can play within national and European AI initiatives.The white paper thus represents a first joint step toward new collaborations in the areas of AI infrastructure, knowledge sharing, and the strategic positioning of the East Netherlands within the broader AI landscape. Read the full white paper here.<h1>Regional Strength, Structural Bottlenecks</h1>The Eastern Netherlands boasts a mature and versatile AI ecosystem, featuring leading research institutions, strong industrial players, and a growing network of innovative AI startups.At the same time, researchers and entrepreneurs are increasingly encountering the limits of the current infrastructure. Limited access to reliable computing power, fragmented facilities, and insufficient scalability are hindering both scientific and technological development.The shared ambition is therefore clear: an accessible and strategically anchored AI infrastructure that aligns with the specific strengths of the Eastern Netherlands. The region combines in-depth domain knowledge in sectors such as health, food, energy, and (high-tech) industry and new materials (Big Chemistry) with crucial technological expertise for sustainable and efficient AI applications. Think of chip technology, edge AI, neuromorphic computing, and smart energy grids.It is precisely this combination that enables the Eastern Netherlands to develop socially relevant AI solutions—supported by a future-proof AI and data (sharing) infrastructure.<h1>Together toward the AI infrastructure of tomorrow</h1>We want to continue the dialogue on how the Eastern Netherlands can take the next step in future-proof AI infrastructure. That is why we would like to engage with parties who wish to contribute to, or are directly involved in, this challenge.We particularly invite:<ul><li>Researchers and entrepreneurs who are currently facing limitations due to a lack of computing power, or who would like to make use of a Dutch AI infrastructure. &nbsp;</li><li>Researchers and entrepreneurs with expertise in high-performance computing, GPU capacity, or cloud solutions.</li><li>Companies and organizations interested in setting up regional facilities or collaborating in this area. &nbsp;</li></ul>Are you active in this field yourself, or do you know someone for whom this is relevant? Please contact Michelle Jansen at <a href="mailto:michelle.jansen@oostnl.nl" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">michelle.jansen@oostnl.nl</a> or Chris Willemsen at <a href="mailto:chris.willemsen@oostnl.nl" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">chris.willemsen@oostnl.nl</a> &nbsp;

What Oost NL needs to stay in the European AI era