What makes a session with Laurens different from a standard keynote?

Laurens combines content with movement. It’s not a story to just listen to, but a session that stirs something up. People see themselves, their organization, and their dilemmas, and leave with ideas they can start using the very next day.

Is Laurens mainly focused on AI?

AI certainly comes into play, but never as an end in itself. It’s about what AI triggers in organizations: different choices, different behavior, and different conversations. Technology is the starting point, not the final destination.

Is his story also suitable for people without an HR background?

Yes. Laurens speaks just as easily with executives, policymakers, and professionals outside of HR. He avoids jargon and makes complex issues recognizable for anyone dealing with change. Spoiler: that’s almost everyone.

Laurens Waling

Keynote speaker, moderator, and change expert on AI, work, and talent

AI is changing work. It's time to reorganize it. Laurens Waling shows what happens when AI takes over tasks, talent becomes visible in new ways, and familiar roles shift. He makes complex developments understandable and connects technology to behavior, leadership, and concrete choices for organizations. Clear enough for a full audience, sharp enough for the boardroom.

Employability:: Facilitator, Keynote speaker, Moderator
Languages:: Dutch, English
Categories:: Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Economics & Finance

Education & Learning

Future and Trends

Governance & Management

Government and Politics

Health and Care

Innovation and Technology

Inspiration

Leadership & Strategy

Moderators

Book Laurens Waling

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About Laurens Waling

Laurens Waling is a keynote speaker, event chair, and change management expert who makes the future of work visible and actionable. He shows how organisations can mobilise people and work in an era of AI, labour market shortages, and constant change. His central message: most organisations don’t lack talent, but visibility of talent.

He speaks from practice, not the sidelines. Laurens has appeared on more than fifteen international stages, from UNLEASH World in Paris to Zukunft Personal and HR Tech Europe. He has worked with over fifty organisations on talent mobility, skills, and the future of work. He has spoken for Netflix, ABN AMRO, Accenture, Achmea, a.s.r., Randstad, Rijkswaterstaat, Defence, UWV, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Amsterdam UMC, Radboudumc, and Center Parcs. He also shared his vision on the labour market in the Dutch House of Representatives.

Laurens studied public administration and intervention science, combining this change management background with over twenty years of experience in technology and entrepreneurship. He founded Part-up, a pioneering platform for skills-based collaboration, and sold the company in 2021. Today, he is Chief Evangelist at 8vance, a Dutch-German scale-up in AI-driven skills matching and talent intelligence. In this role, he works daily with organisations on labour market shortages, internal mobility, lateral entry, and development.

What sets Laurens apart is that he always connects technology with behaviour and leadership. His lectures are not just about what changes, but especially about how to take people along. He combines content with interaction, reflective questions, and short formats. For more extensive projects, he can work with preparatory surveys and a concise advisory report afterwards.

According to Laurens, change begins not with systems, but with inspired people who feel seen and begin to move. On stage, he is energetic, sharp, and interactive. No abstract future stories, but recognisable situations from healthcare, government, and business, with concrete points of engagement the audience can start with the next working day. He speaks in Dutch and English, for an audience of hundreds or at the boardroom table.

Topics

1. More talent than meets the eye

How AI and skills make visible what people can do, what they can learn and where their potential lies. A different way of looking at talent — beyond roles, CVs and qualifications.
2. From planning to matching

Work is changing faster than organisations can plan for. This keynote explores how to reorganise work around people, skills and AI. From fixed roles to tasks, projects and opportunities — and from workforce planning to continuous matching.
3. Change starts with desire

AI can create uncertainty and resistance, but change is not driven by urgency alone. People start moving when they can see an attractive picture of what becomes possible. How do you move from fear of AI to curiosity, perspective and action?

Videos

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English keynote | AI & Skills: Building the Future of Work | ZP Europe 2025

Frequently asked questions

What makes a session with Laurens different from a standard keynote?

Laurens combines content with movement. It’s not a story to just listen to, but a session that stirs something up. People see themselves, their organization, and their dilemmas, and leave with ideas they can start using the very next day.
Is Laurens mainly focused on AI?

AI certainly comes into play, but never as an end in itself. It’s about what AI triggers in organizations: different choices, different behavior, and different conversations. Technology is the starting point, not the final destination.
Is his story also suitable for people without an HR background?

Yes. Laurens speaks just as easily with executives, policymakers, and professionals outside of HR. He avoids jargon and makes complex issues recognizable for anyone dealing with change. Spoiler: that’s almost everyone.