AI and Digitalisation in Outline Agreement 2024 - 2028

Scientific Standards and Transparency

"There will be a scientific standard for the use of models and algorithms. Both must be public and imitable. The package leaflet makes it clear what they are used for and for what purpose they are not intended and cannot be used."

Digitalisation by the Government

"The use of AI (artificial intelligence) by the government offers advantages but is also subject to conditions so that security, privacy, and legal protection are guaranteed. "

"The government, where knowledge of digitalisation must be strengthened..."

"The administration of justice becomes faster and more effective by directing the digitalisation by the Council for the Judiciary."

"To tackle football hooligans harder, for example, according to the English model, additional measures are being taken. A (digital) reporting obligation is being imposed more often for people with a stadium ban, and a permit is being granted for each (risky) match."

Services and Accessibility of the Government

"The accessibility of government organisations for citizens must be increased, including by actually expanding the options, times, and locations for in-person contact, more timely and adequate telephone contact. and greater availability of help with digital contact."

"Existing non-digital communication by the government with citizens will be maintained."

"The NPO must focus on digitalisation and reaching a younger audience."

Protection Against Digital Threats and Cyber Security

"... and society are made resilient against disinformation and 'deepfakes'.

"Protecting national security and combating radicalisation and terrorism are in the hands of the security services and the NCTV. The powers of the services in connection with digital developments are being adjusted in the legislation; the WIV will be updated as soon as possible. "

"There will be an investigation into a security organisation with tasks and powers like the DGSI in France."

"The approach to digital threats by state actors and cyber criminals is being strengthened; intensive cooperation between government, security services, science, and business is being promoted."

"Maximum penalties for cybercrime will be increased. The powers and resources of the security services will be expanded to combat economic espionage."

"Electronics, such as scanning equipment, are being phased out in strategically important sectors and services from countries with increased espionage risks. Espionage is being punished more severely."

"Strengthening the digital capabilities of our intelligence services and cyber security in defence is a priority."

"With the help of digital equipment such as ANPR cameras, the police can detect criminals more quickly. That is why border regions are examining whether the digital equipment is sufficient."

Innovation and Talent Development

"The availability of talent, strengthening the knowledge economy, innovation, and (digital) infrastructure are given priority."

"Innovation is interpreted broadly, including feed and management. Innovation is given the space it deserves, procedures are adjusted, and innovation resources are set up in such a way that new discoveries can quickly be applied in a legally sustainable manner and goals are achieved."

"There will be a separate innovation programme for robotisation aimed at saving manpower."

Fewer civil servants

"The growth in the number of civil servants and the deployment of consultants in (core) departments in recent years is being more than reversed, with executive services being spared. This task is linked to reducing rules and administrative burdens for the society and implementation."

Budgetary appendix outline agreement

The appendix also covers various topics related to AI, digitalisation and related matters. Here are some relevant passages:

Digital care

"(47) Acceleration of scaling up digital care in community nursing (Zvw). This measure focuses on the implementation and upscaling of existing digital care applications in community nursing. By accelerating and broadening this to other target groups and adapting the work processes accordingly labour productivity increases."

"(48) Accelerating the upscaling of digital care in nursing and disability care (Wlz). This measure focuses on the implementation and upscaling of existing digital care applications in nursing care and disability care in the Wlz. By accelerating and broadening this to other target groups and adapting work processes accordingly, labour productivity increases."

Structural reduction in expenditure

"(26) Reversing the growth of central government equipment (core departments, external hiring Roemer standard and communications). Between 2018 and 2022, approximately 25,000 FTEs of government civil servants were added, an increase of 22 percent. The aim is to structurally reduce administrative expenditure by 22%. This is a major intervention in the civil service of the core departments (not being executive organisations), which cannot be accommodated by working more efficiently, but requires clear choices in the core tasks of the central government as stated in the main lines agreement Under the new approach, expenditure on external hiring will first be reduced government-wide to the Roemer standard (core departments and implementing organisations). Communication activities will also be reduced to the level of 2018. The parts of the government service that work on NATO objectives. the NCTV, the AIVD and MIVD are exempt given the important work they perform for the security of the Netherlands. In the outline agreement, additional resources are made available for this purpose."

"(67) Budget for InvestNL. An additional 1 billion euros will be made available for InvestNL's activities."

"(68) Phase out the National Growth Fund. The agreements of rounds 1 to 3 will be fulfilled. Rounds 4 and 5 will be cancelled. As a result, 6.8 billion less will be spent."

"(69) The Research and Science Fund will be reduced by 1.1 billion euros."