Artificial Intelligence as a General Purpose Technology: Insights from WRR Working Paper
The Netherlands should approach the development and application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) without fear, argues a recent working paper by researchers Sjoerd Bakker and Pim Korsten from Freedomlab. Their study, published by the Scientific Council for Government Policy (WRR), investigates the strategic interests and responsible deployment of AI through a historical lens. The findings suggest that fears about falling behind internationally due to AI advancements are historically unfounded.
AI as a General Purpose Technology
The authors categorize AI as a General Purpose Technology (GPT), a designation reserved for innovations that fundamentally transform numerous products, processes, and services across a broad economic spectrum. This classification places AI alongside transformative historical technologies such as the steam engine, electricity, the internal combustion engine, and information technology. These GPTs have previously driven widespread economic and societal shifts.
By using this historical framework, Bakker and Korsten analyze how societies have previously grappled with similar challenges posed by revolutionary technologies. Their research indicates that rather than succumbing to anxiety, proactive and strategic management of AI’s development will serve the Netherlands better.
About the Working Paper
The WRR’s working paper titled "Artificial Intelligence as a General Purpose Technology: Strategic Interests and Responsible Deployment in Historical Perspective" dives deeply into the role of AI in contemporary society. Comprising 77 pages, the paper was published on February 16, 2021, and is part of a series of background studies supporting the WRR’s advisory project on Artificial Intelligence.
The responsibility for the paper’s insights lies with the authors, while it contributes to the broader understanding of AI’s implications for government, industry, and society at large.
Related Studies and Further Research
The WRR has published several other working papers complementing this research, including:
- The Technological Ecosystem of AI in the Netherlands, exploring the specific context of AI innovation in the Dutch landscape.
- AI Rebutted? An Exploration of Counterpower from Civil Society Organizations, which examines societal responses to AI’s growing role.
- Human Rights as Benchmark for Artificial Intelligence, by Ernst Hirsch Ballin, analyzing how human rights principles intersect with AI deployment.
Moving Forward with AI
The WRR encourages policymakers, businesses, and citizens to view AI’s emergence not as a threat but as an opportunity for inclusive growth and innovation. Learning from historical experiences with previous GPTs, the report advocates for balanced strategies that maximize benefits while ensuring ethical and responsible use.
The full working paper is available for download from the WRR website, providing detailed analysis for those interested in the future trajectory of artificial intelligence in the Netherlands and beyond.
For more information and to access the working paper, visit the WRR publications page.
