Data-Driven Policy: How the Province of Zuid-Holland uses RankmyAI to map its AI economy
Written by Wilco Verdoold
The Province of Zuid-Holland maps the AI activity in the region with data from RankmyAI, together with the cities of Rotterdam and The Hague and development agency InnovationQuarter. A conversation with Bart Spee, Policy Officer for the Digital Economy, about the overview that was missing, an unexpected sector, and what he wants to know next.
No feel for what’s out there
It started last year, at a conference where Jesse Weltevreden, professor of Digital Commerce at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences and co-founder of RankmyAI, presented the AI Report Netherlands: the first data-driven analysis of the Dutch AI landscape. “That triggered me,” says Spee. “We didn’t really have a feel for what’s out there in our region and what’s possible when it comes to AI.”
One thing was immediately clear to him: this should not be a solo effort by the province. “I did want Rotterdam, The Hague and InnovationQuarter on board as well.”
Stronger together
Spee calls the collaboration almost a natural reflex. The Hague and Rotterdam are the two main economic centres in Zuid-Holland, both cities have colleagues working on the digital economy, and InnovationQuarter, as the regional development agency, can act on the insights directly.
“Everyone has their own priorities, but together you stand strong and get further.”
The data pointed to the greenhouse
The region is home to 346 AI tools and companies, ranking second among Dutch provinces. Commissioned by the province, consultancy firm Berenschot is currently researching the opportunities AI offers in sectors that matter to the region, including horticulture, the port and Life Sciences & Health, drawing in part on this data.
One insight stood out for Spee. “The RankmyAI data showed that horticulture has some genuinely large companies actively using AI. That was the trigger for me to start talking to our horticulture colleagues.” The contrast between the sectors is striking: Life Sciences & Health has a great many active AI companies, but they are relatively small, which is also worth exploring further.
AI as a sector?
The data shows that AI companies form only a modest sector of their own within the province. Far more interesting is what the technology, and those AI companies, can mean for the region’s traditional sectors. What does AI do there for labour productivity, competitiveness and earning capacity?
Spee: “It is precisely sectors like horticulture, the port and manufacturing that compete internationally with regions where labour is cheaper. With relatively expensive labour, you only hold on to that position by continuing to make technologically better products, and AI may be able to help with that.”
Knowing what you’re good at
The next step, for Spee, is clear: context. “I want to know: are we genuinely good at something as a region? How do we compare to the rest of the Netherlands, or to Europe?”
Part of that answer is already there. The comparison of the European AI landscape that Het Financieele Dagblad published based on RankmyAI data shows that the Dutch AI landscape is growing fast, but remains relatively small and young, and is notably strong in applying AI.
Spee recognises that picture, partly through his involvement in immersive tech. “As the Netherlands, we are good at applying new technologies. Very pragmatic: what can I do with it?”
On the map
A nice recent addition is the interactive AI map, which shows where Zuid-Holland’s AI companies are located. Spee: “You see logical clusters, around YES!Delft and NEXT Delft, but also around the universities and hubs.” The feel for what’s out there, still missing a year ago, is now literally on the map.
