AI as a Gamechanger in High Mix-Low Volume Production Processes – Region South

In collaboration with BOM and Brainport Industries, the session in the South of the Netherlands focused on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in complex production processes. Companies, knowledge institutions and policymakers discussed how AI can play a strategic role in process optimization, with challenges such as data quality, reliability, ROI, lack of knowledge and knowledge sharing as central themes.

The participants emphasized the need for a robust data infrastructure and collaboration in the chain to make AI widely accessible and applicable, also for SMEs. The ambition? In five years, AI will no longer be an experiment, but an integral part of production processes and process optimization processes. Holland High Tech can play a role in this by stimulating knowledge sharing and further research. Regional partners can play a role in supporting companies in the implementation of scalable AI solutions, sharing best practices and proactively putting the topic on the agenda and communicating it.

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Innovation for Defence: Dual-Use Technologies – Region West

The session in West Netherlands, organised with Innovation Quarter and HiDelta, focused on the collaboration between the high-tech sector and Defence. The focus was on dual-use technologies, in which civil and military applications of high-tech innovations come together. An important outcome was the demand for better accessibility to Defence networks, visibility on which process steps you as a company need to go through with and together with Defence for success on both sides and clarity around the rules and criteria for dual-use products.

With input from entrepreneurs and knowledge institutions, opportunities for innovation were identified, such as setting up pilot projects and strengthening production capacity through regional collaboration. The ambition is clear: a powerful ecosystem in which Defence and companies strengthen each other, with Holland High Tech as a facilitator of knowledge and collaboration. Holland High Tech can play a role in this by stimulating research for high-tech innovations for the security domain and building consortia. The regional partners can play a role in supporting companies that are not yet involved in the Defence industry in their exploration for this sector and by providing regional support.

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Crossovers between Key Technologies – Region East

In collaboration with Oost NL, participants in East Netherlands explored the opportunities of crossovers between key technologies and what is needed to stimulate crossovers. An ambitious ambition or vision or challenging problem and a broad view of multiple technologies appear to be good first steps. Key technologies not only have an impact on each other, but also on sectors such as healthcare, agriculture and sustainable energy and can jointly contribute to innovations for societal challenges. Inspiration for innovation often appeared to lie in collaboration across sector and technology walls. Participants emphasized that the Netherlands must continue to invest in strong ecosystems, transcending key technologies and international collaboration in order to remain a leader. Holland High Tech will continue to stimulate these developments by connecting companies and knowledge institutions. Regional partners can share best practices for challenges and strong ambitions across sectors and set up the regional infrastructure so that collaboration across key technologies is encouraged and low-threshold innovation can also find its way.

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Building the future together

The regional sessions have made it clear that innovation requires collaboration, vision and decisiveness. Whether it concerns AI in production processes, dual-use applications or crossovers between key technologies, Holland High Tech remains committed to supporting regional and national ambitions. Together with our partners, we are building a strong ecosystem in which Dutch technology has a global impact.

The insights from these sessions form the basis for concrete action plans and new collaborations. With these steps, we are setting a course for a future in which the Netherlands remains a leader in the high-tech sector.