Belgium Approves Updated National Artificial Intelligence Strategy
The Belgian government has adopted a new national artificial intelligence strategy. The document provides for strengthening control over technologies, reforming the specialized committee, and establishing new rules for public procurement of cloud solutions.
Abdulrahman Sadikhli2 min read
The Belgian government has adopted a new national strategy in the field of artificial intelligence, aimed at strengthening the country's technological potential, developing citizens' skills, and expanding regulatory tools while maintaining control over the technology.
According to the country's Minister for Digitalization, Vanessa Matz, the key objective of the strategy is to ensure AI benefits Belgium's economy while allowing the state to retain control over its development and deployment. According to figures she cited, 42% of Belgians already use generative AI, and 34.5% of the country's companies have implemented artificial intelligence technologies, making Belgium one of the European leaders in adoption rates.
The adopted document updates the first National Convergence Plan approved in 2022. The adjustment was required to account for changes in the technological and geopolitical landscape. The new strategy builds on previous investments in research, innovation, public services, and infrastructure, as well as access to pan-European resources.
Among the main goals of the program are concentrating resources on priority areas and accelerating the transition from experimental AI developments to practical deployment. In the near future, the strategy will be submitted for discussion with Belgium's federated entities to define specific implementation mechanisms.
As part of the strategy's implementation, plans call for reforming the Strategic AI Committee by including representatives from federated entities and strengthening oversight of priority projects. Additionally, the plan provides for improved data access for key AI initiatives and a focus on sectors where Belgium holds the strongest competitive advantages.
A specific point in the strategy will be the introduction of a "sovereignty grid" for public procurement procedures involving cloud technologies and artificial intelligence solutions.
Source: aa.com.tr
