AI - Blogs Amsterdam Trading Culture ⸱ 28-05-2026

From digital city to AI: who is in control?

This blog forms part of a series stemming from the Amsterdamse Handelsgeest podcast, in which we explore Amsterdam’s rich history in greater depth. This episode holds a distinctive place within the series. While earlier blogs primarily reflected on historical events and figures, the focus now shifts to the digital society of today and tomorrow.

Technology is no longer merely a question of access, but increasingly one of control. Where the digital city was once conceived as a public space for interaction and exchange, today’s digital landscape is largely shaped by commercial platforms, data and algorithms. With the rise of AI, technology is evolving from an operational tool into a strategic issue for organisations and their leadership.

In this episode, Reny Stark and Marleen Stikker explore this transition—from accessibility to control—and what it requires of organisations that aim to retain control over their technology, data and decision-making.

Expertise

Technology & Data

Reny

Stark

The discussion around technology has fundamentally shifted. Where it once centred on access, it now revolves around control.

In 1994, Amsterdam launched the “digital city”: an early attempt to make technology accessible to a broad audience. What began as an experimental initiative gradually evolved into an early blueprint for our digital society.

Today, the central question is no longer who can use technology, but who controls how it is applied.

The digital city was originally conceived as a public space for interaction and exchange. However, the digital landscape is now largely shaped by commercial platforms. Data plays a central role in this, while the functioning of systems and the use of information often remain opaque.

With the rise of AI, this development is accelerating. Decision-making is increasingly supported—and sometimes shaped—by algorithmic systems. At the same time, organisations are becoming more dependent on technology and external providers.

AI as a strategic issue

Discussions around responsibility, privacy and regulation have been present since the early days of the internet. While the underlying questions are not new, their impact has become significantly greater.

AI directly affects the core of organisations: decision-making, risk management and the design of processes.

"“In doing so, technology is evolving from an operational matter into a strategic issue for boards.”"

Legislation such as the AI Act provides a framework for managing risks and promoting responsible use. At the same time, regulation will by definition always follow technological developments. This means organisations cannot simply wait, but must actively shape how technology is applied.

Control as a condition for growth

Regulation is often seen as a constraint, whereas it can in fact create opportunity. Clear frameworks around privacy, transparency and responsible use form the foundation for trust. In an environment where reliability is increasingly important, this can become a key differentiator.

Control over technology therefore becomes a strategic prerequisite—not to slow down innovation, but to enable it in a focused and sustainable way. Organisations that have a clear understanding of their data, systems and dependencies are better positioned to remain agile and resilient.

From access to control

The transition from the digital city to AI demonstrates that technological progress inevitably brings new questions around responsibility and control.

For organisations, this means not only responding to technological developments, but actively steering how these are implemented. Control over technology is therefore not a technical detail, but a defining factor for the future.

In this episode, Reny Stark and Marleen Stikker explore this shift—from accessibility to control—and what it requires of boards and organisations today.

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