A former head of government has issued a compelling call for societies to place human well-being at the very center of artificial intelligence development, warning that market-driven and state-controlled models both risk leaving vulnerable populations behind.
A European Voice in the Global AI Race
Jan Peter Balkenende, former Prime Minister of the Netherlands, shared his vision for responsible AI governance during a wide-ranging discussion with Sanjay Puri on the RegulatingAI Podcast, recorded live at the Club de Madrid Annual Policy Dialogue. Balkenende argued that Europe has a unique opportunity to shape the AI era around its traditional values of human dignity, inclusivity, and cooperation — but only if it develops a bold new narrative to match.
He positioned Europe as a distinct third way between the market-driven approach of the United States and the state-led model pursued by China. While acknowledging that Europe risks falling behind in raw innovation output, Balkenende said the continent’s strength lies in its tradition of collaboration between governments, businesses, and social partners — a foundation he believes can support a “new European dream” that combines technological competitiveness with genuine social responsibility.
The Problem of Concentrated Power
Among the most striking parts of Balkenende’s remarks was his concern about the growing concentration of power within a small number of AI companies. He noted that several technology firms now wield financial resources and societal influence rivaling those of entire nations — a dynamic he described as presenting unprecedented challenges for policymakers.
Drawing historical parallels to earlier periods when antitrust measures were introduced to check corporate dominance, he suggested that current governance frameworks may need fundamental rethinking. This could extend, he argued, to regulation, ownership models, and the very structure of how AI companies are organized and overseen. Unchecked concentrations of wealth and influence, in his view, risk undermining inclusive growth and weakening public confidence in democratic institutions.
Employment, Social Stability, and the Future of Work
Balkenende also spoke candidly about AI’s potential to displace workers and create uncertainty — particularly for younger generations entering a labor market being reshaped in real time. While he acknowledged the enormous productivity and information access benefits AI offers, he argued that businesses developing the technology bear a shared responsibility for helping workers adapt and ensuring that innovation creates opportunity rather than exclusion.
The Need for New International Institutions
On the global governance front, Balkenende suggested the world may need entirely new institutional frameworks capable of providing meaningful oversight and accountability in the AI era — analogous in principle to organizations that govern other globally significant technologies. He expressed concern that existing institutions have not kept pace with the rise of large technology platforms and called for a broader international conversation that extends well beyond technical innovation into ethical, social, and democratic considerations.
Reflecting on the lessons of the 2008 global financial crisis, he warned against repeating the mistake of underestimating systemic risks from rapidly evolving technologies. The central message he delivered throughout the conversation was unambiguous: AI must ultimately serve people, strengthen societies, and create a future in which no community is left behind.
