Rapid growth of AI use in Dutch workplaces, from floriculture to police

Two recent reports from NOS highlight the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in Dutch workplaces. Statistics Netherlands (CBS) found that 22.7 percent of companies used AI in 2024—up from around 14 percent in the preceding three years. In addition, NOS Newsuur interviewed eleven major employers to understand how AI is being implemented across sectors.

Floriculture company Deliflor uses AI to predict plant traits and automate quality control. At KLM, AI helps estimate the number of in-flight meals needed, significantly reducing food waste.

In office environments, text analysis tools remain the most widely used form of AI. At insurer a.s.r., AI automatically converts phone calls into summaries, saving staff time for direct client interactions.

Albert Heijn uses self-learning algorithms to forecast inventory demand per store and per local weather station—processing over one billion predictions per day. AI also determines optimal discounts for perishable goods, reportedly helping the supermarket chain avoid 400,000 kilograms of food waste annually.

The police use AI to search case files, process reports, and assist officers in the field with an app that delivers relevant instructions. Nonetheless, human oversight remains essential. “No AI system is perfect,” says Daniël Stuart from the National Police.

Larger companies are more likely to adopt AI: nearly 60 percent of firms with over 500 employees use it, compared to 18 percent of those with 10 to 19 staff. Smaller companies are expected to catch up as access to AI tools improves.

Opinions vary on the impact of AI on employment. Some firms anticipate job losses, while others expect the creation of new roles. Labour market expert Ton Wilthagen notes that past waves of technological change have mostly led to job transformation rather than elimination.

Read the full articles on the website of NOS:
Article 1 – Sharp increase in AI adoption by Dutch companies
Article 2 – From supermarkets to police, AI sees widespread workplace adoption