Dutch Software Firm Bird to leave Europe Due to Onerous Regulations in AI Era, Says CEO

Figurines with computers and smartphones are seen in front of the words "Artificial Intelligence AI" in this illustration taken, February 19, 2024. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
Figurines with computers and smartphones are seen in front of the words "Artificial Intelligence AI" in this illustration taken, February 19, 2024. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
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Dutch Software Firm Bird to leave Europe Due to Onerous Regulations in AI Era, Says CEO

Figurines with computers and smartphones are seen in front of the words "Artificial Intelligence AI" in this illustration taken, February 19, 2024. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
Figurines with computers and smartphones are seen in front of the words "Artificial Intelligence AI" in this illustration taken, February 19, 2024. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

Cloud communications software firm Bird, one of the Netherlands' most prominent tech startups, plans to move most of its operations out of Europe, its CEO said, citing restrictive regulations and difficulties hiring skilled technology workers.

"We are mostly leaving Europe as it lacks the environment we need to innovate in an AI-first era of technology," CEO Robert Vis told Reuters on Monday.

"We foresee that regulations in Europe will block true innovation in a global economy moving extremely fast to AI," he said in a text message response to Reuters queries.

Bird's operations in future will be mostly split between New York, Singapore and Dubai, he said, Reuters reported.

Vis first announced the move abroad in a LinkedIn post over the weekend.

Bird, formerly known as Message Bird, was founded in Amsterdam in 2011. It is a competitor of US-based Twilio in the market for helping companies manage their communications with consumers across digital mediums such as messaging, email and video apps. It says it has developed an AI-powered platform that automates and streamlines business operations across entire organizations including tech leaders.

Last year the European Union introduced the world's first comprehensive set of rules regulating the use of artificial intelligence, drawing criticism from the United States that European regulations could strangle development of the technology.

Vis said Bird will no longer have a single operational headquarters. In Europe, the company will retain an office in Lithuania and the company's tax base will continue to be the Netherlands for the time being.

Bird reported a 17 million euro ($17.80 million) net profit in 2023 on sales of 555 million euros, according to its most recent filing with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce.



SDAIA Explores Generative AI’s Potential to Drive Industrial Innovation in Saudi Arabia

The sessions addressed global trends in adopting generative AI to boost industrial efficiency. SPA
The sessions addressed global trends in adopting generative AI to boost industrial efficiency. SPA
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SDAIA Explores Generative AI’s Potential to Drive Industrial Innovation in Saudi Arabia

The sessions addressed global trends in adopting generative AI to boost industrial efficiency. SPA
The sessions addressed global trends in adopting generative AI to boost industrial efficiency. SPA

The Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) has held a meeting in Riyadh to discuss opportunities to enhance industrial innovation in the Kingdom through generative artificial intelligence (AI).

The meeting brought together experts from the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP), and representatives of leading local and international industrial companies.

The sessions addressed global trends in adopting generative AI to boost industrial efficiency, highlighted ongoing transformations in the sector, and examined related challenges.

The event also showcased key industrial applications of generative AI that have improved operational efficiency, innovation, and sustainability in supply chains and production systems.

Participants explored the future of smart manufacturing in the Kingdom through specialized sessions, reviewing use cases in digital factory transformation, advanced platform applications in resource and process management, and modern technology solutions across education, safety, energy, and supply chain management.