While Dutch companies are actively implementing or expect to implement artificial intelligence (AI) in their businesses, they do encounter significant issues regarding the search for talent, and the integration and implementation of AI in the current IT infrastructure – according to research by Digital Realty, Gcore, and ai.nl on the awareness and usage of artificial intelligence among Dutch companies across various sectors. The study examined the implementation, challenges, and the future utilization of AI.
According to the research findings, one-third of Dutch companies are familiar with AI and its application in their respective sectors. Furthermore, nearly half of the software/IT companies (46%) and financial institutions (48%) have already implemented AI in their business operations. The most recognized AI technologies among Dutch companies are robotics (50%), followed by speech recognition (49%) and machine learning (43%).
“It is a positive sign that so many Dutch companies recognize the potential of AI and are either implementing or planning to implement this technology in the near future. We observe that talent shortage remains one of the greatest obstacles in AI implementation,” says Enrico de Boer, director Sales and Marketing at Digital Realty. “Therefore, companies must invest in attracting and developing professionals who understand and can navigate the complex yet valuable world of AI. Only in this way can Dutch companies remain competitive and swiftly respond to advancing AI technologies.”
The implementation of AI
The study reveals that current AI projects predominantly focus on key trends such as robotics, deep learning, and ChatGPT. Among the surveyed companies, 46 percent measure the success of AI implementation in terms of time savings, followed by cost savings (44%) and customer satisfaction (37%). When searching for an AI partner, 35 percent of Dutch companies consider skills, knowledge, and experience with AI solutions as the most important aspects, followed by easy integration (26%) and clear, measurable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for results (26%).
The biggest challenges of AI
The research identifies talent scarcity (24%) and integration difficulties with existing systems (24%) as the most common obstacles in AI implementation, followed by outdated IT infrastructure (23%).
The decision to run AI on-premise or in the cloud depends on business requirements. The cloud is a suitable option when cost efficiency, scalability, and flexibility are prioritized. However, if control and security are paramount, running AI on-premise is advantageous. However, running AI in an on-premise data center presents technical limitations that companies must address:
- Fifty percent of companies with an on-premise data center perceive space constraints as the primary limitation in AI implementation or anticipate it becoming a constraint.
- Additionally, 31 percent view increased power consumption in an on-premise data center as a limitation.
Future use of AI
Looking ahead, over one-third of companies (36%) either outsource their AI activities to a Managed Service Provider (MSP) or plan to do so, followed by public cloud (24%) and on-premise (19%). The following technologies and tools are seen as the most significant AI trends:
- Creative or generative AI (42%)
- AI-powered chips (41%)
- Facial recognition (41%)
Dutch companies recognize the importance of AI as a means to become industry leaders. Testing AI applications, hiring new talent, transparency in AI implementation, and staying agile in response to new AI developments are seen as crucial factors to maintain a competitive edge.
“In an AI driven economy, every organization needs to re-invent every process to automate or augments tasks using intelligent software,” says Remy Gieling of AI.nl. “I believe companies need to embrace disruptive technologies like AI to stay relevant in the future.”
“The survey highlighted an intriguing trend in the AI landscape. While many companies are actively training their AI models on-premises or at data centers, the need to deploy these models on the edge has become increasingly crucial,” says Andre Reitenbach, CEO and co-founder of Gcore. “We provide innovative solutions that enable this seamless deployment of AI models. By leveraging our expertise and cutting-edge technology, we empower businesses to unlock the full potential of AI at the edge, driving efficiency, real-time decision-making, and unlocking new possibilities for growth and transformation.”
The research provides valuable insights into the current state and future of AI implementation in Dutch companies. With the increasing awareness and potential of AI, it is essential for businesses to overcome obstacles and remain committed to ethical use, talent development, and strategic applications to gain a competitive advantage.
For more information about the ‘AI Infrastructure in the Netherlands’ research and to download the report, please visit this page.