The Confederation of Laboratories for Artificial Intelligence Research in Europe (CLAIRE) has opened its new headquarters in The Hague.

Claiming to be the world's largest artificial intelligence (AI) research network, it was established in response to the need for excellence in AI research and innovation to ensure that Europe remains competitive in AI and its applications.

According to a statement, the researchers and stakeholders involved in CLAIRE have identified a pressing need to increase Europe’s strength and position in the area of human-centred, trustworthy AI.

CLAIRE announced a focus on AI for good - and specifically, the use of AI to help reach the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals - driving broad access to, and benefit from, AI across all of the society, including small, medium-sized and large enterprises, government and public administration, non-governmental organisations and citizens.

Holger Hoos, professor of machine learning at Leiden University and the co-initiator of CLAIRE, said: “Alongside The Hague’s reputation as a city of peace and justice, the Netherlands is a hotbed for AI research and innovation in Europe, and home to a large number of internationally leading experts in AI.”

In October, the Dutch government launched its new nationwide Strategic Action Plan for Artificial Intelligence, aimed at keeping the Dutch economy globally competitive by stimulating AI on the basis of the principle that both citizens and businesses can be confident that AI will be used with care.

Saskia Bruines, deputy ,ayor of the city of The Hague, commented: “The use of AI offers many opportunities to potentially improve the lives of our citizens, however, this requires the development of a responsible and transparent approach to the use of AI, which is an important topic for Europe, the Netherlands and The Hague in particular."

The CLAIRE headquarters in will support its activities all over Europe, coordinating the work of existing offices in Prague, Saarbrücken, Rome and Oslo, as well as offices soon to be opened in Brussels, Zürich, Paris and Cork.

The CLAIRE office in The Hague will also place special focus on AI in the public sector, AI computing and data infrastructure, and the development of a focus on AI for social good.

It will interact and coordinate with the NL AI Coalition, the European Commission, AI4EU, the European AI Association, the Benelux AI Association, CBS, TNO and ELLIS.

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