The realisation of an AI factory in Groningen receives European grant from EuroHPC JU. It involves a €70 million grant. Combined with other funding, this brings the total funding to €200 million.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is developing rapidly and is being used more and more widely. The AI factory in Groningen should strengthen the innovative power of start-ups, SMEs and public organisations. It should also support scientists and the education sector, and contribute to the technological independence of the Netherlands.
Expertise centre
The AI Factory is an expertise centre, data facility and AI supercomputer. It provides low-threshold access to computing power and AI initiatives.
It also provides scope for forms of cooperation between startups, SMEs, researchers, the education sector and the government to develop AI models.
Creating new jobs and accelerating innovation
The AI factory should also stimulate the creation of new jobs and accelerate innovation. In addition, the factory should accelerate processes in sectors such as healthcare, mobility and safety at regional, national and European level.
The project also strengthens the knowledge and innovation position of the Netherlands and should attract new talent. The dependence on both US and Chinese tech platform is additionally reduced by the AI factory.
Total investment amounts to 200 million euros
The €70 million grant was awarded following a proposal submitted to EuroHPC JU. This is an organisation that operates as a European partnership supporting supercomputing and AI facilities, including with funding.
In addition, the government is contributing EUR 70 million to the project. From the Nij Begun funds, €60 million is also available from Groningen and North Drenthe. This brings the total investment to €20 million.
The expertise centre should open its doors in 2026. The supercomputer is expected to be fully operational in 2027. More information on the AI factory is available here.
