AI in Dutch government and the thousand-headed dragon: A conversation with Nicky Kattenbroek
- HPM Marketing
- Sep 23
- 3 min read
When you speak with Nicky Kattenbroek, one thing becomes clear: she lives at the intersection of policy, ethics, and technology. As Innovation Supervisor at DigiCampus, Nicky is helping the Dutch government explore what digital autonomy really means in the age of AI. She’s doing this with DigiCampus, one of the long term members of the THT community.
DigiCampus is a collaboration between the Dutch government, TU Delft, and other partners. The goal is to connect the government with the latest insights from research and the market to improve public digital services. "We’re an in-between space," Nicky explains, "where researchers, policymakers, and innovators meet to solve big societal questions." Read more about how Nicky gets the job done, here at The Hague Tech.
From data centers to software infrastructure
Currently, Nicky focuses on two key projects. One is very practical: building a trustworthy AI chatbot that allows citizens to ask government questions more effectively. The second is broader and more strategic: helping governments regain digital autonomy. That means taking control over the entire digital ecosystem, so that public services are secure, transparent, and independent from non-European tech providers. From data centers to software infrastructure.
Rethinking trust in AI, pressure on government
"AI is a sexy topic," Nicky says with a smile. "But it's also complex and, frankly, a little scary." Governments face enormous pressure to modernize, but Nicky is quick to point out that building AI for the government is very different from doing so in the private sector. "When you build software for a webshop, the worst-case scenario is a bad recommendation. But when a government uses AI to make decisions about taxes, social services, or public safety, the stakes are much higher.". For Nicky, trust is non-negotiable. "Citizens must be able to trust what their government does. That means transparency, reliability, and clear accountability."
From politics to innovation
Nicky didn’t arrive at this work by accident. She spent eight years advising politicians at both the local and national levels. That experience gave her a deep appreciation for the challenges governments face when trying to serve everyone, not just the digitally literate. "In government, you don’t choose your customers. You serve everyone, including people with limited digital skills. That’s a different kind of design challenge."
At DigiCampus, Nicky works closely with researchers and legal experts to make sure any new tool or approach fits the regulatory and ethical frameworks expected from public institutions. "We call it the thousand-headed dragon," she jokes. "Digital autonomy touches everything from chips to cloud services. It’s complex, but crucial."
Why The Hague Tech?
"The Hague Tech is the perfect home for DigiCampus," Nicky says. "It has the energy of a startup space, but it’s connected to the policy world. We’re surrounded by young professionals, creatives, technologists, and people with big dreams." This environment allows Nicky and her team to stay grounded in the real world. During the THT Grand Opening, she joined a live podcast recording to share insights about her work and how governments are thinking about responsible tech. "People here want to build things that matter. And we’re always open to talking with new partners who want to bring their ideas into the public space. Just come find us on the third floor."
Curious about working from The Hague Tech, just like Nicky and the DigiCampus team?
Whether you're looking for a desk, an office, or a community that sparks innovation, we’ve got a space for you. Explore our workspace options here or email us directly at sales@thehaguetech.com.
