Research

AI, curriculum & the labor market

Publication date June 23, 2026

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is having an increasing impact on the labor market. Tasks, skills, and job profiles are changing, and new forms of collaboration between humans and AI are emerging. This raises fundamental questions for higher education: How do we prepare students for a labor market that is constantly evolving, and how do we ensure that curricula remain relevant and future-proof?

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What?

This exploratory study examines the interplay between AI, the labor market, and curriculum development. Based on a literature review, interviews with experts, and input from the education community, the publication explores how AI influences work and skills and what this means for the design, updating, and maintenance of curricula. The exploratory study offers perspectives and practical guidance for educational institutions that want to prepare their programs for a future in which AI plays an increasingly significant role.

For whom?

This exploration is intended for instructors, educational developers, program managers, policy advisors, educational innovators, administrators, and other professionals in secondary vocational education (mbo), higher professional education (hbo), and university education (wo) who are working on curriculum development, educational innovation, and the alignment between education and the labor market.

Summary

AI affects the labor market in various ways. Jobs usually do not disappear entirely, but the nature of work changes as AI replaces or supports certain tasks or creates new ones. As a result, the skills required of professionals are also changing. In addition to subject-matter expertise, skills such as AI literacy, digital skills, critical thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability are becoming increasingly important.

For educational institutions, this means that curricula must be able to continuously adapt to changes in the labor market. The exploratory study describes how degree programs have the flexibility within existing frameworks to integrate current developments and emphasizes the importance of structural monitoring, collaboration with the professional field, and an evidence-informed approach. The publication also addresses responsive curriculum development, adaptive governance, and the human side of change within educational institutions.