Dutch software firm Bird is moving most of its operations out of the Netherlands and opening new global hubs as it seeks a reprieve from overregulation in Europe, said co-founder and CEO Robert Vis.The AI Act, financing, compensation, taxes, employment law starting and running a company [in Europe] is hard, Vis told TNW, adding that there are too many disparate markets that are overregulated with no clear vision for the future while the world around us is changing.Bird (formerly MessageBird) is one of the Netherlands leading tech scaleups, reaching unicorn status in 2018. Birds main product is a cloud-based platform that manages customer communications across messaging apps, calls, video, SMS, and email. The company also recently launched a new AI employee chatbot, which handles tasks such as responding to customer inquiries, qualifying leads, and providing personalised support.Vis is now looking overseas to fuel the companys next advances.Both The Hague and Brussels enjoy being in meetings and talking more than they get shit done, Vis said, adding that EU policymakers are killing innovation. Amsterdam-based Bird will now open up three new offices in the US, and one each in Singapore, Dubai, and Istanbul. It will also open a meditation, rejuvenation, and health centre in Thailand for its employees, Vis said in a LinkedIn post.Nevertheless, Bird will maintain an office in Lithuania and keep its tax base in the Netherlands for now so its not leaving the EU entirely.Earlier this month, Bird cut 120 jobs roughly one-third of its total workforce, which is mainly based in Europe. New AI tools contributed to the staff cuts, said Vis, but it was also an effort to position our teams closer to our customers in the Americas and Asia, he told TechCrunch.The news comes as the EU pushes ahead with its landmark AI Act, which entered force last year. The act lays out a rulebook for governing AI based on risk levels, designed to ensure the technology is deployed safely, transparently, and ethically.The US, meanwhile, is moving in the opposite direction. While the EU imposes strict rules, the Trump administration is removing AI restrictions and giving tech sector leaders such as Elon Musk prominent roles in government.There is no stopping this technology whether we like it or not, said Vis. Whatever the future will hold if you want to compete you need to be liberal not restrictive.Vis is a former speaker atTNW Conference, which takes place on June 19-20 in Amsterdam. Tickets for the event arenow on sale. Use the code TNWXMEDIA2025 at the check-out to get 30% off the price tag. Story by Sin Geschwindt Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecos (show all) Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecosystem. He's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. Sin has five years journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.Also tagged with