Attracted by the high levels of expertise in our region, various international companies have started AI research labs in Amsterdam. AI-oriented multinationals have their headquarters in Amsterdam, and there are many small and medium-sized AI businesses. Combined with a strong creative industry, this creates the ideal climate to accelerate innovations on both a small and large scale.

Amsterdam is home to a mix of diverse cultures. It has a rich history and large numbers of tourists. It also struggles with intense pressure on the housing market and criminal activities. The city faces all the challenges that are familiar to other major international cities, but within a much smaller area. But Amsterdam’s excellent connectivity also means we can directly apply AI to improve the city’s residents’ quality of life, making the city itself a living lab.

Data is becoming increasingly important in healthcare. Only with close cooperation between the private and public sector can we safely and effectively share data, opening the door to necessary innovations. To this end, eminent partners such as Amsterdam UMC, NKI, Sanquin and the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience have already been integrating AI into their work for years. In addition, for our network we initiate cross-sector collaborations and events, such as the Amsterdam Medical Data Science meetups. These initiatives and activities are a continuation of the Smart Health Amsterdam programme.