TLDR: The Netherlands has announced a comprehensive national AI strategy aimed at actively influencing global artificial intelligence governance. Foreign Minister David van Weel emphasized the country’s commitment to becoming a frontrunner in responsible AI use, advocating for a balance between innovation and regulation within Europe, and leveraging diplomatic efforts across international institutions.
EINDHOVEN, November 13, 2025 – The Netherlands is embarking on a pioneering initiative to develop a robust international AI strategy, positioning itself as a key player in shaping global artificial intelligence governance. The announcement was made by Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel at the AI Summit Brainport in Eindhoven, underscoring the nation’s proactive stance on the rapidly evolving technological landscape.
Minister Van Weel articulated that the strategy’s core objective is to make Dutch AI policy ‘future-proof’ and to seamlessly integrate AI considerations into the country’s diplomatic, economic, and security frameworks. ‘We are working across the Dutch central government to develop future-proof AI policy for the Netherlands,’ Van Weel stated. ‘And I’m also working closely with other ministries to develop an international AI strategy. We’re one of the first countries working on this, recognizing that AI will be part of everything we do in an international context. And that requires diplomatic efforts in Brussels, in multilateral institutions, and in the context with like-minded partners.’
This strategic move aims to connect domestic AI policy with international diplomacy, particularly within the European Union, NATO, and the United Nations. The Netherlands aspires to be a frontrunner in defining responsible AI use, rather than passively awaiting directives from global tech giants like the United States and China. Van Weel stressed the critical need for Europe to strike a better balance between fostering innovation and implementing necessary regulation, cautioning against the risk of Brussels becoming a ‘Silicon Valley of regulation.’ While ethical AI rules are indispensable, he noted, they must not impede the continent’s capacity for technological advancement.
The Netherlands’ commitment to responsible AI is not new. The country has previously championed initiatives such as RE-AIM (Responsible AI in the Military domain), launched in 2023. This Dutch-Korean collaboration brought together governments, industry, and civil society to establish guardrails for autonomous systems, leading to a UN resolution on AI in defense adopted by the European Union just last week.
In the context of the broader European landscape, the Netherlands has adopted a nuanced position regarding the EU AI Act, which came into force in 2024. A spokesperson for the State Secretary for Digitalization at the Ministry of the Interior indicated that the Netherlands prioritizes ‘clarity about the enforcement of the AI Act’ over extending its deadlines. This approach is seen as crucial for building trust and establishing a cohesive European internal market for human-centric and trustworthy AI. This aligns with the European Commission’s broader strategy to foster EU innovation, linking the Digital Omnibus to the Competitiveness Compass, launched last year to support the EU’s tech sector.
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Discussions are also underway regarding the centralization of AI governance within the Commission’s AI Office. Currently overseeing general-purpose AI models (GPAI), the office could see an expanded mandate to supervise all AI systems based on GPAI and conduct conformity assessments for certain high-risk systems, shifting more power to Brussels. Minister Van Weel concluded by emphasizing the importance of collective action: ‘Joining forces on tech diplomacy will make the Netherlands strong. AI has changed the world, and what is not an option is standing still.’
