Brabant invests 21.5 million in data economy
Brabant has the ambition to allow big data and data technologies to find their place in social sectors. To achieve this, the province will allocate 21.5 million euros over the next three years.
The data economy is all about creating economic value through the use of digital technology and data. Analysis of big data, Internet-of-things, Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotization and Virtual & Augmented Reality (VR / AR) are important methods. Data technologies are already radically changing the way we work, communicate, produce and learn. To ensure that the Brabant economy and society can tackle these changes in a smart way, it is necessary to invest in the data economy now, according to the Brabant provincial government.
“Brabant has a high-quality digital and knowledge infrastructure, many talented starters and startups, and innovation is of paramount importance,” says Deputy Martijn van Gruijthuijsen (Economy, Knowledge and Talent Development). “But we cannot rest on our laurels. The world around us is changing at breakneck speed. With this implementation agenda, we prepare our SMEs for the economy of tomorrow and the day after tomorrow and we want to inspire, stimulate and provide space for talent. ”
Data-savvy SMEs and talent
One of the main spearheads of the implementation agenda is to increase the “data maturity” of Brabant SMEs. Data maturity refers to the extent to which a company uses data for its business processes and innovation. With the help of data coaches and vouchers, the province, together with a number of partners, wants to support companies and provide customized advice. In addition, the data economy requires specific knowledge and qualified employees. That is why the training of data talent together with partners is being stimulated and the province wants to train at least 4000 data professionals, via new educational curriculums or through further training and retraining.
Van Gruijthuijsen: “With this agenda we support the future of the Brabant economy and society. Brabant has everything it takes to be a leader in Europe in the field of the data economy by 2030. This does mean that innovative SMEs must be able to seize the opportunities that data offers and attract the talent that is needed for this. ”
Source: Innovation Origins