Are you active in AI, integrated photonics or neuromorphic computing and want to know more about the opportunities for research collaborations and business partnerships with peers in the UK? Then sign up to join the ‘Future of Compute’ innovation mission to London and surrounding area! Taking place from 10 to 13 November 2025, the mission is supported by Topsector ICT, Topsector High Tech Systems and Materials (HTSM), AIC4NL and PhotonDelta.
Compute is taking on an increasingly pivotal role in an era dominated by advances in technology such as Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI requires ever larger amounts of compute to train and run models and power the increasing number of embedded AI systems in small-scale devices. The infrastructure to provide that compute is not only costly, but also consumes vast quantities of energy.
Energy-efficient AI
Low-energy algorithms and hardware are needed to cut AI’s energy consumption. Emerging technology such as neuromorphic computing (NMC) and photonic computing (PC), which are closely related to AI, have huge potential to achieve these energy efficiency gains. AI could be a showcase of these capabilities.
Uniting stakeholders from these three tracks fosters collaboration on integrated solutions to shared problems, in turn supporting the valorisation of new technological components. Working together also consolidates the role of the Netherlands, the UK and Europe as a whole in the future of compute.
National Technology Strategy
The Netherlands has a wealth of knowledge and experience in these tracks, all of which feature heavily in the Dutch National Technology Strategy (NTS). The Dutch top sectors are currently developing Action Agendas for the ten Digital and Information Technologies in the NTS, with Topsector ICT coordinating the Action Agendas for AI/Data and Cybersecurity Technologies.
Cross-pollination with UK ecosystem
This mission will be uniting the UK and Dutch future-of-compute ecosystems, focusing in particular on AI, integrated photonics and neuromorphic computing. The aim of the mission is to identify areas of mutual support and provide opportunities to learn from each other about energy-efficient compute solutions.
The continued development of future-of-compute solutions hinges on collaborations in the three tracks, rooted in shared goals, exchanges and a common language. This is all the more important given the key role of hardware and software codesign. The mission is therefore open to the entire future-of-compute chain of stakeholders involved in materials, devices, circuit design, hardware, architecture, algorithms and applications. Potential end users may also register.
Sign up before 1 September
Dutch businesses (industry organisations and SMEs) and knowledge institutions focusing on one more of the three tracks may participate in this mission. The registration deadline is 1 September 2025. Registration costs 250 euros per person, excluding travel expenses.
The mission features a separate programme for each track (AI, integrated photonics and neuromorphic computing), with working visits, presentations and conversations with relevant UK stakeholders. The organisers will also be facilitating cross-sector sessions and exchanges between the three participating groups.
The Dutch government is committed to Responsible Business Conduct (RBC). To be able to take part in this mission, your business must comply with the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. If you have not completed an RBC self-scan or your latest self-scan was completed over one year ago, you will receive a separate link from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) asking you to complete the scan as soon as possible. Please read the general terms of participation in the innovation mission.
Read more about the innovation mission