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In a digital world that is changing rapidly, artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer an interesting option but a necessity for organizations that want to remain future-proof. Recent data from CBS and McKinsey shows that more than 70% of Dutch companies that experiment with AI have so far failed to achieve the desired impact. At the same time, there are exceptions that, with smart strategies and technological commitment, clearly drive growth and innovation. Where is the difference? And above all: what can Rotterdam entrepreneurs learn from this today?
A first and significant bump is the legacy IT landscape. Many Dutch companies set up their core systems decades ago. This legacy software is often insufficiently flexible, with data stored in silos that cannot simply be unlocked for modern AI applications. As a result, the data remains inaccessible or poorly usable, so that AI models do not receive the right input to generate valuable insights.
In addition, there is often a lack of a clear governance structure around AI. This goes beyond just security and privacy; it also means clear responsibilities, transparency in algorithmic decision-making and ensuring compliance with, for example, the GDPR. Without such a framework, internal restraint and fragmentation arise, causing pilots to get stuck and to scale up.
A third brake is the shortage of specialist knowledge within organizations. AI is a field in itself with rapid innovations and complex techniques. Many teams lack experience with machine learning, data engineering and advanced analysis pipelines, which means that projects run slowly or don't align well with business strategy.
In addition to these challenges, there are clear leads that Dutch companies can use immediately. Workflow automation using AI, often in combination with Robotic Process Automation (RPA), offers an easy route to increase efficiency and reduce operational errors. Here, API integrations ensure seamless data exchange between systems, so that processes such as customer registration, invoice processing or inventory management run quickly and reliably.
A second growing area is AI in customer contact. Think intelligent chatbots that understand language and respond contextually, or predictive models that help customer service teams prioritize requests in real time. This not only increases customer satisfaction, but also makes scalable service possible without additional fixed costs.
Finally, AI offers powerful tools to improve decision making. Advanced analysis methods can uncover trends in sales, market, and product data that were previously hidden. This enables managers to make better-informed choices, such as predicting demand increases or optimizing inventory levels.
Most large Dutch organizations are now using cloud platforms such as Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud or AWS. These environments provide a solid foundation for AI projects, but the added value only occurs when organizations make optimal use of these platforms.
By combining these capabilities with their own data and process knowledge, Dutch organizations can significantly accelerate their AI transformation and increase business value.
It is not realistic to expect companies to fully incorporate all AI perspectives on their own right away. Working with specialized parties that have experience with AI, cloud and automation helps prevent initiatives from failing due to incomplete knowledge or the wrong choice of technology. This partnership provides a pragmatic approach, where value is quickly realized and at the same time working on a sustainable AI landscape.
Those who want to maintain control over data, processes and innovation would do well not only to do this, but to use the available expertise as a catalyst for acceleration and deeper impact.
For smart Rotterdam entrepreneurs, this means it's time to stop waiting to invest in AI, but to discover today how existing systems, smart automations and cloud infrastructures can work better together. The digital future does not wait, and today's choices determine who will be ahead of the curve.
