Amsterdam AI programme ROBUST receives a €25 million boost

Developing technology to better society

On Tuesday January 10, the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) announced an additional injection of €25 million to help further the development of AI in Amsterdam through the funding of the ROBUST initiative. Added to the €7.5 million allotted by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and €55 million made available by affiliated institutions and organisations, the programme has netted €87 million in funding.

ROBUST is a collaboration of industry, knowledge, and governmental partners focused on developing trustworthy AI systems that create social change and drive sustainable growth. This initiative is spearheaded by the Innovation Center for Artificial Intelligence (ICAI) and the UvA and aims to facilitate AI-driven solutions for pressing societal issues in healthcare, logistics, media, food and energy. 

New labs will strengthen collaborations

The additional funding will be used to ensure the sustainable growth of AI talent in the city and establish long-term collaborations with the business community. Over the next 10 years, the ICAI plans to open 17 new research centres to add to their 29 existing labs. 

This will make room for 85 permanent PhD positions, allowing candidates to fully immerse themselves in AI research for a 5-year period of study. On the funding, an ICAI spokesperson commented, “This is an important boost for the region because artificial intelligence research needs a lot of good people to stay at the top.”

Amsterdam is a hub for ethical AI

Amsterdam is becoming renowned as a leading AI hub. The Global Observatory for Urban AI puts Amsterdam among the world leaders in promoting ethical AI solutions. Innovative companies like Pacmed and Lalaland are putting AI solutions to work in the real world, from a faster diagnosis at the hospital to more inclusive and sustainable fashion.

Learn more about Amsterdam’s growing AI sector and how the city is cultivating responsible innovation.