Bird Announces European Exit Amid AI-Era Regulatory Challenges #
Dutch software company Bird, one of the Netherlands’ leading tech startups, plans to relocate most of its operations from Europe.
CEO Robert Vis attributed this move to restrictive regulations and difficulties in hiring skilled technology professionals.
He stated that Europe lacks the environment needed for AI-focused innovation in a rapidly advancing global economy.
Vis warned that looming regulations in Europe could hinder genuine innovation in a world swiftly embracing AI.
The firm’s operations will be primarily based in New York, Singapore, and Dubai going forward. Vis initially disclosed this strategic shift in a LinkedIn post over the weekend.
Founded in Amsterdam in 2011 under the name Message Bird, Bird competes with U.S.-based Twilio in providing businesses with digital communication solutions. The company claims its AI-driven platform automates and streamlines operations for organizations, including major technology players.
Last year, the European Union enacted the first broad legislative framework for AI, sparking concerns from U.S. critics about stifled technological development.
Bird will no longer maintain a single operational headquarters, though it will preserve an office in Lithuania and maintain its Dutch tax base for the time being.
According to Bird’s filings with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce, the company netted a profit of 17 million euros (17.80 million dollars) in 2023 on revenue of 555 million euros. Vis remains adamant that global expansion is necessary to ensure the company can thrive in the evolving AI era.