Research by Xebia and Data Expo shows that 85 percent of Dutch organizations want a stronger European front against Big Tech. However, nearly half do not have digital sovereignty on their agenda, and implementation lags behind ambition.
The Data & AI Monitor Benelux Edition surveyed how organizations in the Netherlands handle data, AI, and digital autonomy. Although there is a strong call for less dependence on American technology, figures show that concrete steps toward European infrastructure remain limited. Many organizations recognize the need for more control over data and AI but encounter existing dependencies on foreign systems and suppliers.
New legislation may soon change that. Starting in September, working groups in Brussels will begin work on the Cloud and AI Development Act (CADA), the European tech sovereignty package aimed at reducing dependence on non-European players.
AI Dependence and Adoption
More than 80 percent of the surveyed organizations describe themselves as dependent or highly dependent on third parties for their critical AI infrastructure. Only fifteen percent have actually taken steps toward sovereign or European solutions. Despite the desire for more autonomy, practice remains strongly tied to existing technology partners.
Activity in the field of AI adoption is high: seven out of ten organizations are already working with generative AI assistants. Yet only 24 percent systematically measure the value of AI, while twenty percent have no insight at all into the business return. Only six percent have AI running widely in production, indicating a gap between experimentation and structural implementation.
Trust and Shadow AI
Trust in AI remains low: only one in five organizations trusts AI output as much as that of a colleague. This explains the reluctance to use AI for important decisions. Meanwhile, one in four organizations is already deploying AI agents in production, with nearly half expecting this to lead to a reduction in staff.
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