Professor warns: Amsterdam is too dependent on American tech companies
Amsterdam must urgently look for alternatives to the large American technology companies. This is according to Claes de Vreese, a professor at the University of Amsterdam (UvA). He conducts research into the influence of 'big tech' and artificial intelligence on our democracy and society.
According to De Vreese, the dependence on companies such as Google, Microsoft, and Amazon has now become so great that it entails risks. Many important digital services and data from both the government and the business sector are stored in the clouds of these American giants.
The professor warns that this creates a vulnerable situation. If these systems were to suddenly fail or if access were blocked, a large part of daily operations in the Netherlands would immediately come to a standstill. This could have major consequences for the continuity of essential services.
De Vreese emphasizes that it is important for the Netherlands and Europe to develop more of their own digital infrastructure. By being less dependent on foreign tech companies, the country can better maintain control over its own data and digital security.
The debate about the power of large tech companies is becoming increasingly important in politics. The call from the UvA professor aligns with the broader discussion on digital sovereignty, where the goal is to reduce European dependence on American technology.