Departments choose secure AI chatbot from SSC-ICT

Several Dutch ministries will adopt a new AI assistant, “vlam-chat”, in 2026, marking a significant step towards secure and responsible AI use in government. This initiative, developed by SSC-ICT, underscores a commitment to digital autonomy and data security within the public sector. The move reflects growing European efforts to control and secure AI applications. Vlam-chat, part of SSC-ICT's broader vlam.ai project, will assist with writing, summarizing, and translation tasks. Notably, the service will operate locally within a government data center using European language models. This approach provides a secure alternative to commercial AI chatbots, addressing concerns about data privacy and sovereignty. Initially, eight ministries, including General Affairs, Interior and Kingdom Relations, and Finance, have committed to the project. This collective effort will provide vlam-chat to approximately 26,500 civil servants. The collaborative investment allows for shared development costs, ensuring the service prioritizes privacy, security, and digital autonomy, aligning with the Dutch Digitalization Strategy's focus on AI. This development supports the use of Dutch and European language models within the government. By investing in a trustworthy AI solution, the Dutch government aims to make successful applications widely available and take control of digital innovation. Further details about vlam-chat are available through interviews with project leaders and the project’s GitHub repository.