Working in tech & AI in Amsterdam

Amsterdam: a tech and AI hub

The Amsterdam Area’s robust digital infrastructure and fast and reliable connections make it an easy place for business operations, and Amsterdam’s well-educated workforce and international outlook – more than 90% of Dutch people speak English – help tech firms thrive and attract talent from all over the world.

Dedicated hubs such as Amsterdam Science Park and huge events such as World Summit AI and Hello Tomorrow  further establish Amsterdam’s standing as a centre of innovation. The physical proximity of businesses, universities and research centres, coupled with the region’s international and cooperative mindset, create endless opportunities for cross-sector partnerships.

Top tech and AI employers

Amsterdam is home to some of Europe’s most valuable tech companies. Homegrown success stories include TomTom, DataSnipper and Adyen, a leading global payment technology company and one of the world’s most valuable fintech companies. Other major tech players include TCS, Mews and Databricks. In addition, international tech giants such as Microsoft, Google and Canon have significant operations in the Amsterdam Area; Netflix, Canon, Uber and Cisco have their European headquarters here.

Startups and scale-ups to keep an eye on

Amsterdam’s startup ecosystem, especially in tech and AI, continues to flourish with companies across fintech, e-commerce, mobility and healthtech. Mollie is a leading European payment service provider serving over 250,000 businesses across Europe. Bunq, Notyd and Fourthline are other fintech players to watch.

Amsterdam’s healthtech sector is thriving too, as AI’s role in health is growing rapidly, especially in the field of diagnostics. Significant companies include Pacmed, Lapsi Health, Aidence, Confocal, Kepler Vision, uniQure, Leyden Labs and DEBx Medical – don’t miss checking those out if you are specialising in this field. Noteworthy players in other fields include Irdeto, Aigency and Sensity.

Career opportunities and jobs in tech and AI

Talent looking for roles in the tech and AI sector in the Amsterdam Area have access to various career platforms with a focus on vacancies for non-Dutch speakers, such as the I amsterdam Job Search. Among the most in-demand skills in the field are AI engineering, data science and analytics, software development, product management, deep tech and cloud computing.

Research and education

Researchers and prospective students interested in the field have a wide range of options in Amsterdam, both at the city’s two research universities – the University of Amsterdam (UvA) and the Vrije Universiteit – and at the academic labs at the Amsterdam Science Park and elsewhere, which all work closely with the industry. Options and organisations include:

• The UvA and VU’s joint master’s programme in AI
• The Expertise Centre Applied AI at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
• The Qualcomm-QUVA Lab
• ICAI
• UvA-Bosch DELTA Lab
• Amsterdam AI, an initiative designed to help the city develop and deploy responsible tech in the field of AI

Tech events and community

Naturally, a thriving tech and startup ecosystem will foster a lively community, and Amsterdam’s tech event calendar is full to the brim. In addition to the big hitters, there are countless meet-ups, communities, workshops and networking events, plus events and initiatives for women in tech and female entrepreneurs. More generally, the outstanding quality of life and large international community make it easy for newcomers to find their way around, and Amsterdam’s famed work-life balance enables making the most of the city’s vibrant cultural and social scene.

Key facts & highlights

• 6300+ : AI students at the University of Amsterdam, the Vrije Universiteit & the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
• Amsterdam has Europe’s fastest broadband speeds and is home to one of the largest data-transport hubs, AMS-IX
• 450+ multinational tech companies have their European headquarters in the Amsterdam Area
• Amsterdam's tech sector creates 14% of the region’s jobs and is a key catalyst for innovations in other industries