The Netherlands is bracing for a prolonged period of job losses driven by the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI), according to outgoing VNO-NCW chair Ingrid Thijssen. Her warning, issued during her farewell address as head of the major employers’ organization, suggests a structural shift in the labor market that extends beyond temporary economic headwinds.
Thijssen cautioned that while rising energy and wage costs are currently forcing companies, particularly those internationally competitive, to reorganize and reduce staff, the impact of AI will be far more significant and enduring. “Companies can absorb rising costs through reorganizations,” she stated in interviews with De Telegraaf and reported by Financieel Management, “but the development of AI continues and that will really be quite severe.”
The anticipated job displacement isn’t expected to be uniform. Thijssen foresees a mismatch between sectors, with job losses occurring in some areas while personnel shortages persist in others. This dynamic necessitates large-scale retraining and upskilling initiatives, a capability where the Netherlands has historically lagged, according to Thijssen. “It doesn’t imply we’re too late, but something really needs to happen,” she said.
The concerns echo broader anxieties about the impact of AI on employment. Reports from NU.nl indicate that Dutch companies are already undergoing rapid reorganizations, fueled by economic uncertainty and the rise of AI, alongside revenue shortfalls. De Ondernemer reports that humanoids could be deployed within five years, potentially impacting a wide range of jobs.
However, the scale of the potential “ontslaggolf” (dismissal wave) remains a subject of debate. While Thijssen emphasizes the structural nature of AI-driven job losses, some analysts suggest that current layoffs are primarily attributable to economic pressures.
Despite the challenging outlook, Thijssen expressed optimism that a new Dutch cabinet could implement measures to improve the investment climate and provide businesses with greater stability. The need for a proactive response is underscored by the potential for significant disruption across multiple sectors, requiring a coordinated effort to mitigate the negative consequences and capitalize on new opportunities.
