Dutch government plans to cut 25,000 jobs using AI by 2035

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 28 Oct, 10:58 · Archive

The Dutch government plans to eliminate 25,000 public sector jobs by 2035 as part of a cost-cutting efficiency drive using artificial intelligence.

The Dutch cabinet announced it will eliminate 25,000 full-time jobs by 2035 as part of a cost-cutting drive. The measure aims to save €900 million from the central budget by 2027, rising to €3.5 billion by 2035. Police and defence roles will be exempt from the cuts, though ministries, inspectorates and implementing agencies could see losses of around 60 per cent of jobs.

State secretary Eric van der Burg said the government cannot continue as it has been doing, with 'too many rules, exceptions and procedures'. He stated that residents and businesses should be able to count on a government that works, and that the cabinet must make 'significant cuts to organisational costs'.

The cuts follow an expansion of the civil service: government staff numbers have grown by 40 per cent since 2018, with 46,500 new roles created. The cabinet will outline plans in the first quarter of 2027 for how AI will contribute to productivity as part of making government 'simpler, smarter and smaller'. It remains unclear how the technology will be deployed.

Dutch government plans to cut 25,000 jobs using AI by 2035 — Image: Daily Mail

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How it is being reported

Dutch civil service to cut 25,000 public sector jobs using AIThe cost-saving bid aims to save taxpayers €3.5billion (£2.9billion) a year - and comes under plans to cut around 15 per cent of all government jobs over the next decade.Daily Mail · 28 Oct, 10:39
Dutch government to cut 16 percent of workforce as part of AI efficiency pushThe cabinet announced that it wants to get rid of 25,000 full-time jobs by 2035.Engadget · 26 Oct, 17:13

In this story: Dutch government · Eric van der Burg · Netherlands · Rob Jetten

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