ING survey: 25 percent of executives certain AI will replace jobs

More and more leaders of large Dutch companies anticipate that artificial intelligence (AI) will take over jobs. Currently, 25 percent are certain it will happen, up from 19 percent and 6 percent in the previous two years, according to a survey by ING of 261 top executives.

The bank reports that, on average, executives expect 25 percent of existing roles to be altered. The IT department is expected to be most affected, followed by R&D and sales.

Executives do not anticipate that AI will reduce their workforce by 25 percent. “With new roles being created, recruiting remains a key focus for executives,” explains Mark Milders, Director of Wholesale Banking at ING Netherlands. “AI takes over repetitive tasks, allowing employees to spend more time generating value for the company.”

Milders anticipates a similar effect at ING. “Eliminating many routine administrative tasks will free up time for employees to focus on creating value for our corporate clients.”

In October, ING revealed plans to eliminate up to 950 positions in the Netherlands by the end of next year, partly due to roles being replaced by AI. The figure was based on a forecast submitted to the Dutch Employee Insurance Agency (UWV).

Milders expects that the fast pace of AI development in 2026 will have a growing impact on how Dutch companies operate and invest. “It will bring numerous changes, with considerable effects on business processes and a shift in the distribution of roles across the labor market.”

Almost 75 percent of managers expect to recover their AI investments within the next two years.