ING Bank CTO Says AI Will Not Replace Engineers: Bank Employs 19000 Tech Workers
With 19,000 technology-focused employees globally, ING Bank stands as one of Europe largest tech employers in financial services. The Dutch banking giant is making substantial investments in AI while maintaining a pragmatic view of technology human impact.
CTO: AI Will Not Replace Engineers Any Time Soon
In a July 2025 interview with The Banker, ING CTO Daniele Tonella offered a balanced perspective on AI impact: “AI will not replace engineers any time soon.” This view shapes the company hiring strategy, which emphasizes expanding engineering teams rather than reducing them through automation.
Tonella, who joined ING as CTO in 2024, oversees “everything that is technology” across the bank and has prioritized global talent acquisition to access larger pools of engineering talent.
Global Tech Hub Expansion
ING operates large technology hubs in the Philippines, Romania, and Poland. Recent expansion includes a new hub in Turkey and plans for a tech hub in Spain. COO Marnix van Stiphout led a 33% increase in headcount in the Philippines in 2024 alone to support AI deployment across the business.
AI and Data Science Team
Bahadir Yilmaz oversees a team of approximately 400 professionals including data scientists, data engineers, and product managers working to leverage data and technology for improved services. The competition for AI talent is intense, as every industry seeks GenAI competitive advantages.
To address talent scarcity, ING invests in extensive training programs and partnerships to cultivate an advanced data science workforce.
AI Implementation Approach
ING takes a rigorous approach to AI deployment:
- Recently launched generative AI chatbots for retail markets
- Developing agentic AI to streamline mortgages
- 20-step AI review process assessing 140 potential risks
- 95% of work begins after initial AI deployment for risk integration
Developer Events and HackerX
ING maintains visibility at major developer events including We Are Developers 2025 in Berlin, described as “the largest gathering of software innovators, tech leaders, and decision-makers shaping the future of AI-powered technology.” The bank previous participation in HackerX Amsterdam events reflects its commitment to connecting with engineering talent through innovative recruiting channels.
