AI, quantum, and biotechnology are very revolutionary and therefore also known as disruptive technologies. These technologies are reshaping both the job landscape and the value chain.
‘The province of South Holland is particularly strong in these domains’, explains Zenlin Roosenboom-Kwee, who is doing research into the relationship between technological innovation and economics.
Applications are already prevalent, says Roosenboom-Kwee: 'In the port of Rotterdam, AI is used to predict ship arrival times, simulate traffic flows via Digital Twins, and reduce fuel waste.'
QuTech is building the hardware for a new digital infrastructure.'
'Biotechnology is also used at the Delft and Leiden campuses, where new medical and industrial applications are being developed and tested. In Delft, QuTech is building the hardware for a new digital infrastructure. The Tuna-5 quantum platform enables multiple companies to collaborate on quantum innovations.'
From lab to market
What is the time to market for this new technology? 'AI can be implemented relatively quickly,' says Roosenboom-Kwee. 'The technology already exists and the costs are relatively low, although machine learning engineers remain scarce throughout Europe. Biotechnology, by contrast, faces lengthy regulatory processes, often lasting many years due to clinical trials.'
Safety, ethics, and environmental impact
'Quantum technology lies somewhere in between: it is developing rapidly and has already been tested in use cases, but its deployment remains complex and expensive due to the cryogenic systems. Moreover, questions around safety, ethics, and environmental impact also influence the time-to-market of these technologies, as do regulatory frameworks, data management, and public acceptance,' says Roosenboom-Kwee.
Investors and jobs in South Holland
'Whether new technologies attract investors or create jobs depends largely on government policy,' Roosenboom-Kwee emphasizes. 'Attracting talent requires competitive salaries and strong research facilities. Stable, long-term funding and collaboration between universities and companies are essential. Cutbacks or fragmented budgets are therefore counterproductive.’
Global race for tech talent
She adds that the global race for AI, quantum, and biotech talent is intensifying. ‘Regions that combine excellent research with clear industrial application pathways will attract and retain both talent and capital.’
Whether new technologies create jobs depends largely on government policy.'
Golden Triangle
‘South Holland benefits from a unique golden triangle of universities, hospitals, and the port,’ concludes Roosenboom-Kwee. ‘The government must continue to invest in this ecosystem, just as Japan recently invested $7.4 billion in next-generation semiconductor and quantum technology.’
Use cases needed
Businesses can also benefit from the proximity of knowledge institutions. ‘By retraining staff, offering internships, and testing new use cases, companies can position themselves at the forefront of technological transformation.’
Dr. Ir. Zenlin Roosenboom-Kwee is Associate Professor in the Department of Values, Technology and Innovation and Director of Interfaculty Education at the Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management, Delft University of Technology.
This article is appeared in the Leiden-Delft-Erasmus white paper 'The Economy of South Holland: Earning - Distributing - Changing', published on 15 December 2025. The paper is written in Dutch but all articles are published in English on this website.
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More information about this white paper, contact Katja Hoiting: k.hoiting@tudelft.nl
