“The lack of an AI strategy: a missed opportunity that could double our growth”
One year into the legislative term, Belgium still has no national plan for AI. A missed opportunity, according to Agoria. CEO Bart Steukers explains.
“It is surprising that our country has no AI strategy, when this is precisely a major lever for sustainably strengthening our economy and, in the long term, guaranteeing the financing of our pensions, our healthcare system, and purchasing power for decades to come.”
While many projects have been launched over the past year, the hardest part remains to be done, in other words since the new legislature, observes Bart Steukers. It is urgent that we focus our efforts on investment, growth, and AI.
“The difference between surviving and thriving”
Recent economic studies estimate that AI could add an extra percentage point of growth each year. This figure, which may seem modest, would in fact represent a doubling of Belgium’s current growth rate. “It’s the difference between barely surviving and thriving,” says Bart Steukers. “But we won’t get there without a strategic framework. We urgently need more entrepreneurship, an aggressive industrial policy, and a clear and ambitious AI strategy. Investments in R&D yield an average return of three times the initial investment. The same will be true for AI!“
For Agoria, which has identified four priority areas for developing a genuine national strategy on artificial intelligence, the first step is to create AI champions to stimulate the economy as a whole.
The previous AI plan for 2022 was never translated into action, projects, or investment budgets. It is time to roll out an ambitious policy that strengthens both the AI sector itself and its cross-cutting integration into all areas of the economy and society. A strong AI sector, which could triple by 2030 , would give a decisive boost to the widespread adoption of AI.
The poor relation in Europe
France has been investing in its digital strategy for more than ten years, with visible results. Germany, Finland, and Estonia are also accelerating, Bart Steukers points out.
“Without a strategy, Belgium risks falling behind.” Europe is aiming for 75% of companies to be using AI by 2030. For Agoria, this is a minimum. Today, we are in the top four in Europe with an adoption rate of 34.5%, but SMEs are lagging behind at an alarming rate…
We need to strengthen the digital infrastructure. AI needs a robust infrastructure. It is essential to invest in data centers, network capacity, the cloud, and supercomputers. “We also need to facilitate and encourage private investment in AI infrastructure through tax measures such as increased deductions for AI projects, a proposal already advocated by Agoria.”
Don’t stifle innovation with over-regulation
AI is transforming the skills required at all levels. Structural investment in education, continuing education, and retraining is essential. The various levels of government—federal, regional, and community—each have a role to play in anticipating and supporting this transition.
“Belgium must encourage innovation, not hinder it by focusing solely on the risks,” insists Bart Steukers. He advocates the establishment of regulatory sandboxes, controlled environments where companies can test and develop innovative solutions with legal certainty. “This type of mechanism promotes innovation, user protection, and smart regulation.”
Agoria reaches out to the government
Agoria is calling on the federal government to make AI a top priority and to work with Belgian technology companies to develop an AI plan with concrete actions. “A year has gone by. Some positive measures have been taken, but without an ambitiou e strategy for AI, we are treading water. And this status quo is unacceptable. We will soon see European AI champions emerge—but in Paris, Berlin, or Helsinki, not in Brussels.” The technology federation is already taking the lead. “We will formulate concrete proposals,” concludes Bart Steukers. “Our members—large groups, scale-ups, and SMEs—are fully committed to the AI revolution. We will mobilize this expertise to advance AI in Belgium.“
