The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) will contribute to a sustained wave of redundancies across the Netherlands, according to a warning from Ingrid Thijssen. In an interview with De Telegraaf, the outgoing president of the employers’ organisation (VNO-NCW) — Verbond van Nederlandse Ondernemingen en het Nederlands Christelijk Werkgeversverbond — stated that AI will transform or eliminate jobs on a massive scale. She believes the country is currently underprepared for this shift.
Thijssen noted that while sharply rising energy and wage costs are already forcing internationally competitive companies to restructure, AI’s impact is more permanent. She explained that while businesses can often manage rising costs through one-off reorganisations, the development of AI is an intense, ongoing process that will continue to reshape the economy.
The forecast suggests that many people will lose their positions even as staff shortages persist in other sectors. This imbalance creates a need for large-scale retraining and career changes. Thijssen noted that the Netherlands has a weak track record in these areas and emphasised that significant action is now required to address the gap.
Despite these challenges, Thijssen remains optimistic. She suggests that a new government could introduce measures to improve the investment climate and provide companies with a clearer long-term perspective.
@anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
