Oracle cuts thousands of jobs due to AI, but Belgian IT sector remains tight
The American technology company Oracle has cut approximately 21,000 jobs in recent times. This drastic decision is the result of a major strategic shift within the company. Oracle is currently investing billions in expanding data centers for artificial intelligence (AI), including for clients such as OpenAI. Due to these high costs, the company is forced to make savings elsewhere in the organization.
Although this news about job losses at a major international player is striking, the situation in Belgium looks different. According to the sector federation Agoria, the demand for IT specialists in our country remains very high. Companies in Belgium still have a lot of trouble filling open vacancies in the digital sector. IT is therefore still considered an official shortage occupation.
The rise of AI is having a dual effect on the labor market. On one hand, companies are automating their processes, causing some traditional roles to disappear. On the other hand, the new technology is also creating new roles that require specific technical skills. Belgian companies must therefore continue to invest in the retraining of their current staff to meet the changing demand.
The situation at Oracle shows that the tech sector is in a transition phase globally. While large international groups are adjusting their structures to the AI revolution, the local market in Belgium continues to struggle with a structural shortage of talent. It is therefore essential for Belgian employers to continue focusing on attracting and retaining IT experts in order to remain competitive.