What will remain the work of humans in the age of AI?
A good conversation with Denise from ZekerArbo
During ZekerArbo most recent team day, ZekerArbo the future of our work. AI played a key role in this discussion—not as a trend to jump on just for the sake of it, but as a question that demands our full attention: What can technology do for us, and what will remain the domain of human labor?
We spoke with Denise Meijdam, director of ZekerArbo, about that team-building day, her own doubts, and why she believes that business owners and ZekerArbo have exactly the same questions about ZekerArbo .
Why did you focus on AI during the team day?
Denise: “AI has been on my mind for a while now. Not because I think technology will eventually take over our jobs. Quite the opposite: the more technology can do, the more important the question becomes of what work will remain for people. During the team day, we wanted to reflect on that together. What does AI mean for our work at ZekerArbo? For our clients? And for employees who deal with work pressure, Sickness Absence change on a daily basis?”
So, did that provide any answers?
“Recognition, above all. We noticed that everyone is actually thinking about it, but few people talk about it openly. That goes for our team, and to be honest, for me as well. I run into the same questions myself as the entrepreneurs we help every day: where can I save time, and where should I be careful not to rush things? AI sometimes sounds like the solution to everything, but that’s not how it works. You have to keep thinking for yourself about how to use it.”
You have to keep thinking for yourself about what to do with it
That's an honest answer. I'm sure many entrepreneurs can relate to that feeling.
“Absolutely. I think many entrepreneurs and business owners are asking themselves the same questions we are. Where can AI help us organize our work more efficiently? Where does it save time? And where do we need to remain especially vigilant—regarding attention, trust, privacy, and the human touch? No one has a complete answer to these questions. Not even us. That’s exactly why we keep having this conversation.”
In your opinion, where do you think AI can really make a difference?
“Where it creates space for better connections between people. When AI helps reduce administrative work, organize information more quickly, or make processes clearer, it creates more space for what really matters. Listening. Understanding. Carefully weighing options. Helping people move forward. For us, that’s not just a side issue—it’s the whole point of our work.”
So, you don't see AI as a threat to craftsmanship?
“No, I actually see this as an opportunity to put craftsmanship back at the center. Systems can help, but they don’t make an organization healthy. People do. Leaders who have meaningful conversations. Employees who feel seen. Professionals who take responsibility. And partners who help make complex situations more manageable.
At ZekerArbo , we ZekerArbo be that kind of partner—a partner who thinks along with you, provides clarity, and helps you carefully take the next step—with expertise, realism, and a focus on the person behind the work.”
It's okay not to have all the answers yet
What did you personally take away from this team-building day?
“Technology changes the way we work, but people make the difference. We bring that conviction to everything we do—for our clients, for their employees, and for everyone who works every day to build a healthy organization. And perhaps most importantly: it’s okay not to have all the answers yet. We don’t have them all either. We’ll figure it out together, step by step.”
