The battle for AI talent in the Netherlands
AI talent is the new gold, and in the Randstad region, the battle for the best specialists is fiercer than ever. While AI-driven innovation is increasing at breakneck speed, organizations face an urgent challenge: how do you find the right people in an overheated market where GenAI experts and AI architects are both scarce and selective? In this article, you’ll read how Starz in AI not only helps you stay ahead of the competition, but also how you can position your organization as a magnet for high performers in an era of AI acceleration through a smart and future-focused approach.
The Battle for AI Talent in the Randstad
The Randstad, with cities like Amsterdam and Rotterdam, is undisputedly the epicenter of AI and data talent in the Netherlands. While this creates a hotspot for innovation, it also creates an intensely competitive market for companies looking to attract the best professionals.
In the first half of 2025, we saw a clear shift: despite a slight cooling of the broader labor market, demand for specialized AI talent, particularly in the areas of Generative AI (GenAI) and Agentic AI, remained undiminished. This “AI leadership race” means that companies are prioritizing high-quality, specialized roles, often through flexible hiring, even as general recruitment has slowed down.
The Challenge: Finding, Attracting, and Retaining Talent
The competition for AI talent is extreme. Amsterdam, for example, ranks 5th in Europe in terms of the number of AI professionals. This high concentration means that top talent has the luxury of choice, resulting in higher salary expectations and benefits, and a greater need for attractive employer brands.
High performers in roles such as AI Architect and AI/Machine Learning Software Engineer demand top salaries, highlighting the scarcity of these crucial skills. Moreover, many of the most talented Dutch AI professionals choose to work for global tech giants in Silicon Valley, attracted by unparalleled resources, research opportunities, and optimal acceleration of their personal development. This creates a challenge for Dutch companies to attract and retain top talent locally.
“The future of AI is being built now, and whoever manages to secure the right talent wins. In this rapidly changing market, a strategic approach is not a luxury, but a pure necessity.”
Marco de Nooijer
Founding Partner Starz in AI
Anticipating the Future: The EU AI Act and Beyond
The demand for AI talent will only increase in the second half of 2025, partly due to the upcoming EU AI Act, which came into effect in August 2024. This legislation forces companies to make their AI systems compliant, creating a new wave of demand for expertise in AI compliance, governance, and ethical AI.
This means that the need lies not only with technical builders, but also with professionals who can navigate the ethical and regulatory aspects of AI. Additionally, general digital transformation remains an important driver, with companies continuously seeking ways to integrate advanced AI solutions to increase productivity and manage risks.
How Starz in AI Makes the Difference
At Starz in AI, we understand the complexity of this market. We specialize in connecting companies with the most suitable AI and data talent, even in the most competitive environments. Our approach is based on:
- Specialized talent platforms: We utilize advanced, AI-driven talent platforms that enable us to deliver specialized tech talent quickly and at scale. This includes unbiased, profile-based systems with built-in skills assessments, ensuring efficient and objective matching.
- In-depth market knowledge: Our expertise in the Randstad and the broader Dutch AI market enables us to understand the nuances of supply and demand. We know where the talent is located and how to effectively reach, attract, and engage them.
- Flexible solutions: In a market that increasingly tends toward flexible talent acquisition models, we offer solutions that align with your needs. This includes Project Hiring, Temp-to-Perm, Freelance Contracting (Netherlands and Europe), Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO), or finding the perfect permanent position through Recruitment & Selection.
- Talent pool management: Our recruitment consultants are constantly in touch with latent job seekers, allowing us to build sustainable relationships with them well before a potential career switch. We share valuable information about AI, offer free training and education, and organize AI-related events. In this way, we provide accessible added value through our community to brilliant AI and data professionals, without immediately pushing them into an application process.
The future of AI is being built now, and whoever manages to secure the right talent wins. In a market that changes faster than ever, a proactive, strategic approach is not a luxury but a necessity. Starz in AI not only helps you find rare AI specialists, but also works with you to build a strong employer brand and sustainable talent strategy. Do you want to stay ahead of the curve rather than chase after the facts in the AI revolution? Then this is the moment to make the shift.
Let Starz in AI be your strategic partner in the search for the AI talent your organization needs to innovate and grow in this dynamic landscape.
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