Insights

Observations on AI, work and movement.

Longer pieces that don’t fit on LinkedIn. One sharp observation at a time: from a conference room, a boardroom or the daily practice of 8vance. Prefer Dutch? I also write directly in Dutch — see those insights →

Laurens Waling
Article

From hype to reality: what HR Tech Europe 2026 actually revealed

Two days at HR Tech Europe in the RAI in Amsterdam are behind me. What stood out most is how much the tone has shifted compared to last year. Less…

23 April 2026
Laurens Waling
Article

AI May Be Creating More Jobs Than It Cuts. But The Real Story Is More Complex

The debate around AI and jobs is often framed in extremes. Some predict massive job destruction. Others argue AI will unlock new productivity and…

13 March 2026
Laurens Waling
Article

Bridging the Gap Between Emerging Talent, AI and Reality

The debate about early-career talent and AI is becoming increasingly polarized. Graduates are portrayed as unprepared or unrealistic, while…

27 January 2026
Laurens Waling
Article

AI Does Not Need More Unicorns. It Needs a Skills Infrastructure.

Almost every major AI report published recently reaches the same conclusion: we need to invest in AI talent.

15 January 2026
Laurens Waling
Article

Responsible AI Sometimes Means Moving Forward, Not Slowing Down

Responsible AI is often discussed as if artificial intelligence is mainly a risk that needs to be controlled. In education, policy and organisations,…

15 January 2026
Laurens Waling
Article

2026 is here. HR is no longer a function. It is stewardship and orchestration.

I am not an HR manager. But I work daily with HR leaders, boards and innovators across sectors. And as 2026 unfolds, one thing becomes impossible to…

5 January 2026
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Questions on my mind

I believe less and less in simple answers.

Far more interesting are the questions that arise when technology, work and humanity start shifting at the same time.

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