The AI boom leaves the Netherlands lagging while the United States reaps the benefits
The United States is reaping significant economic benefits from its intensive spending on artificial intelligence, while the Netherlands is lagging behind, leading to missed opportunities for growth, according to a new report from ING. The Dutch bank warned that limited investment in artificial intelligence could constrain the country's long-term economic potential.
During the first half of this year, American investments in artificial intelligence increased by 23 percent compared to the same period in 2024, while Dutch investments only rose by 3 percent. Artificial intelligence now accounts for about 6 percent of the U.S. GDP, compared to around 3 percent in the Netherlands. Despite Dutch companies increasing their spending on software in recent years, the growth rate in the U.S. remains much stronger.
Despite its delay in local investment, the Netherlands is indirectly benefiting from the global boom in artificial intelligence. The increasing global demand for AI technologies has boosted ASML's exports and the semiconductor sector in general, supporting the Dutch economy.
One of the main obstacles to expanding the artificial intelligence infrastructure in the Netherlands is the strained electricity grid. Data centers heavily rely on stable access to the grid, and new projects have been delayed due to limited capacity, slowing down the implementation of new projects in the country.
However, ING pointed to a potential positive side. Since enthusiasm for artificial intelligence in the Netherlands is more cautious, the country may be less vulnerable if an "AI bubble" bursts. These bubbles occur when valuations rise based on media hype rather than actual results, and they collapse as soon as investors demand real performance instead of intangible promises.