VNO-NCW chairman warns of job losses due to AI

Coen van Oostrom, the chairman of VNO-NCW, has expressed his concern about potential job losses resulting from the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). He argues that many companies may operate with significantly fewer employees in the future. For instance, he expects that organizations currently employing one hundred people may only need twenty workers in the future to perform the same tasks. This development raises the question of how the Netherlands can prepare employees for different work.

On October 7, 2026, a discussion took place between employers, trade unions, and the government about the future of the labor market and social security. Van Oostrom advocates for accelerated retraining and support for employees who lose their jobs due to AI. He states that if no action is taken now, the Netherlands will face significant challenges in employment.

Van Oostrom believes that despite the rise of AI, there will still be job opportunities, but in different sectors and roles. He particularly points to an increasing demand for personnel in healthcare and tourism. According to him, it is crucial to start thinking now about the future of the employees who will lose their jobs: "If we don't start thinking now about how to help those eighty people who are losing their jobs, it will be too late later."

An important aspect of Van Oostrom's message is the need for companies to invest more in the retraining of their employees. He compares the situation in the Netherlands to that of Denmark, where, according to him, there is much more emphasis on guiding employees whose current roles are disappearing toward new jobs. It is essential for companies and the government to work together to ensure this transition goes smoothly and to mitigate the impact of AI on employment.

Read the full article from AI Insider.