The Dutch government has pledged E70 million to build a new AI facility in Groningen to establish a European hub for AI research and development.

A consortium of Dutch organisations will manage the plant and focus on healthcare, agriculture, defence and energy applications.

The government is also seeking an additional E70 million in EU co-financing and has welcomed a separate E60 million contribution from the Groningen regional administration.

The plant is expected to be commissioned in 2026 and reach operation by early 2027 if funding is secured.

Minister of Economic Affairs Vincent Karremans emphasised the need to develop domestic AI capacity, warning that dependence on foreign technologies could threaten national competitiveness and digital independence.

'Those who do not develop the technology themselves depend on others, ' Karremans said on the government's website.

European countries have grown increasingly concerned over their reliance on AI technologies developed by US companies.

The Groningen initiative marks a broader effort by the EU to build its own AI infrastructure instead of leaving strategic control in foreign hands.