2 November, the KIA Digitisation was presented as part of the Knowledge and Innovation Covenant (KIC) for the period 2024-2027. In this covenant, companies, knowledge parties and governments confirm their commitment to key innovation themes for the coming years within the Ministry of Economic Affairs' so-called Mission-Driven Top Sectors and Innovation Policy. This is the first time that there is a separate Knowledge and Innovation Agenda (KIA) for digitisation and information technologies (DITs). Top Sector ICT is coordinator of the Digitalisation KIA.
With this, the Netherlands is taking an important step towards outlining a strategic framework for programming knowledge and innovation in the field of digitisation over the next four years. With the help of the KIA, efforts of various knowledge institutions and companies will be better aligned and public-private partnerships will be promoted. "This is necessary to achieve smart solutions for important economic and societal challenges facing not only the Netherlands, but also the rest of the world," explains Frits Grotenhuis, director of Top Sector ICT.
Five missions
The cabinet recently recalibrated the missions in the Mission-Driven Top Sectors and Innovation Policy. There are now five central missions in the areas of health & care, agriculture, water & food, security, energy transition and, finally, the circular economy. Digitalisation and information technology are essential to arrive at innovative solutions to the gigantic challenges within those missions. Top Sector ICT, initiator and coordinator of the KIA Digitalisation, is therefore receiving more and more requests from other (top) sectors to advance knowledge and innovation together to give substance to the digital transition.
Minister Micky Adriaansens (Economic Affairs and Climate): "We would like the Netherlands to remain innovatively at the top. Only then can we meet major challenges in technology, climate, digitalisation and security. By turning knowledge into innovation here, we can solve societal challenges, reduce our dependence on non-EU countries and ensure jobs and income for future generations. Public and private parties motivated to work together: that is the strength of a strong and innovative Netherlands when it comes to digital technologies and infrastructure, for example."
Seven digital key technologies
Of the forty-four key technologies on which the government is betting in implementing the Mission-Driven Top Sectors and Innovation Policy, seven are digital. They are Artificial Intelligence, Data science, data analytics & data spaces, Cyber security technologies, Software technologies & computing, Digital connectivity technologies, Digital Twinning & Immersive technologies and Neuromorphic technologies.
Three sections KIA
The Digitalisation KIA distinguishes between three sections on Digital and Information Technologies (DITs):
- Innovate WITH DITs (for the purpose of developing solutions within the five missions)
- Reflection ON DITs (ensuring responsible development and application of digital transformation and the seven key technologies)
- Innovate WITH DITs (fundamental knowledge development and further development of the seven digital key technologies in collaboration with the KIA Key Technologies)
These three hatches form one whole, interact and reinforce each other.
