It is official: AI Factory to be established in Groningen

It is final: the AI Factory will be established in Groningen. The European Union will provide funding for this project. Previously , both the Economic Agenda of Nij Begun and the government had already allocated funding to the project. The factory will be equipped with a centre of expertise and a supercomputer. From the start, the UG and the UMCG have supported the initiative, highlighting the region's key strengths, among other things. The institutions will also make an important contribution to the AI Factory in terms of knowledge, themselves.

As early as April, the UG emphazises that it sees opportunities for collaboration in the area of logistics. According to the University, the AI Factory, which is set to be located at the IT hub in the former Niemeyer factory on Paterswoldseweg, aligns perfectly with the combined strengths of the region. Current knowledge institutions are already collaborating in the partnership University of the North.

Enormous boost

Regarding the establishment of the AI Factory Jouke de Vries, president of the Board of the University of Groningen, says: ‘The AI Factory will give a huge boost to the economy of Groningen and the northern Netherlands. As part of the Economic Agenda of Nij Begun, we are working on a digital ecosystem around the AI Factory, so that the region can benefit as much as possible.'

UMCG

The UMCG is also pleased with the arrival of the AI Factory. UMCG Dean Wiro Niessen previously indicated that the AI Factory represents a major leap forward in preventive healthcare, as AI can, for example, analyse data from the Lifelines project. Niessen: ‘With AI, we can use this data to gain insight into why someone develops a disease, and whether, or how, we could prevent it. And based on hospital data analysis, the AI Factory will help us better predict which treatment is optimal for each patient.’

Powerful digital infrastructure

The AI Factory ties in with the powerful digital infrastructure of the Northern Netherlands and can contribute to talent development, work opportunities, and regional growth. Construction is scheduled to start in 2026, with the facility expected to become operational in 2027.

We will soon publish an article on the UG website that takes an in-depth look at the academic background of the AI Factory and the UG’s perspective.