Dutch government rejects ban on superintelligent AI

The Dutch government has rejected calls to ban superintelligent artificial intelligence or temporarily halt development of the most powerful AI systems. In written responses to Parliament on Monday 26 October, State Secretary for Digital Economy and Sovereignty Willemijn Aerdts said there is insufficient scientific evidence that superintelligent AI can be developed using current technology.

According to the Dutch government, it will instead address identified risks including automated cyberattacks, discrimination, manipulation and false information. It said the European Union Artificial Intelligence Act already prohibits some AI uses and sets requirements for high-risk systems, including safety assessments, transparency, human oversight and protection of fundamental rights.

The responses followed questions from Member of Parliament Chris Stoffer of the Reformed Political Party, or SGP. The government said it could introduce stronger restrictions if scientific evidence or technological developments show that existing safeguards are insufficient.

The government also cited concerns about AI systems identifying and exploiting weaknesses in computer networks. It said Dutch organisations' digital security measures are not improving quickly enough to match the changing threat, and that it is developing an additional cybersecurity action plan. Parliament is expected to receive further details in November.

On 22 September, the Netherlands joined the Call for Control of Frontier AI Models, according to the government. The initiative calls for safety testing, independent evaluations, transparency following serious incidents and international cooperation on standards for powerful AI models.