As the world rushes to regulate advanced AI systems, Switzerland is adopting a more “tech-neutral” approach, concentrating on sector-specific use cases while maintaining a significant presence on the global stage.
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Governments worldwide are quickly working on creating, implementing, and then overseeing advanced artificial intelligence (AI) systems.
In the past year, the European Union implemented global pioneering regulations for AI, as US leaders introduced executive orders for AI safety standards.
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Switzerland is also a significant player in shaping global AI policy, as it continues to make progress in comprehending its domestic AI landscape.
The nation is recognized for its advanced position in blockchain and cryptocurrency, as well as being home to one of the leading artificial intelligence research institutions worldwide, ETH Zurich. Nevertheless, Switzerland is not a member of the EU, so its residents are not bound by the EU AI Act like the countries bordering it.
What is Switzerland’s method for overseeing one of the globe’s most debated technologies?
The leader of Switzerland’s yearly AI Policy Summit, along with Alexander Brunner, an advisor to AI, Blockchain, and Web3 firms in Switzerland, aim to gain insight into the country’s perspective on AI.
Innovation Hub and Stable Democracy
Switzerland is known for being a tech-savvy country because it is the location of the notorious Crypto Valley, which has grown to be the center of the blockchain movement worldwide.
Piotti credits this to Switzerland’s excellent academic institutions, open communication and inclusive culture, as well as its strong direct democracy.
“Dialogue is very important for us, we are a direct democracy. We cannot just make laws, we have to make sure that the people are with us and they understand. That’s ingrained in our DNA as well. We said this is important for AI adoption, but also for us to make any legislation.”
She underlined that this foundation is in favor of the nation integrating AI, particularly in the business sector.
Brunner emphasized that people such as Yann LeCun, the “godfather of AI” and head of AI at Meta, have heaped praise upon ETH Zurich and Switzerland’s AI research capabilities.
“Switzerland’s research prowess has put it at the top in 13 consecutive years of the UN Intellectual Property Organization. Therefore, crypto and AI share the same dedication to innovation and research.”
Regarding being impartial towards technology
Switzerland is well known throughout the world for its neutrality as well as its technological achievements.
Switzerland’s approach to international collaboration and AI governance is greatly influenced by its diplomatic and neutral stance.
Both Piotti and Brunner characterized the nation’s strategy as “tech-neutral,” with the former stating that it had no intention of enacting legislation that would target a particular technology.
“We wanted to look at the technology in a certain use case, and then fill in the gap regarding legislation. This, essentially, then leads you to a sector-specific approach and not a very big horizontal EU AI Act. We are not targeting the technology.”
Brunner agreed, stating that the Swiss government is against enacting new legislation and is in favor of updating current ones rather than developing a framework that is “technology-specific.” He claimed that a comprehensive study of AI’s effects is presently being carried out by the government.
“Carefully balancing sensible regulation with strong research is the foundation of Switzerland’s success. As the world’s freest country, Switzerland offers the freedom to innovate. Innovation needs freedom to be creative!”
Though not in the EU, nearby
International recognition of Switzerland’s impartiality is also noteworthy; Brunner emphasized that the country is considered a “trusted moderator.” “We take this responsibility very seriously,” he declared.
Piotti stated, “Despite our small size, we have a long history of wanting to have a significant voice in international forums.” “We wish to actively participate in forming the future of AI policy.”
Furthermore, she stated that even though Switzerland is not a member of the EU, the EU AI Act is still “extremely relevant” to them.
“If our businesses want to operate within the EU, we must comply. But also because generally with GDPR and many other legislations coming out of the EU, there is always this Brussels effect to then be adopted by parts of the world.”
International recognition of Switzerland’s impartiality is also noteworthy; Brunner emphasized that the country is considered a “trusted moderator.” “We take this responsibility very seriously,” he declared.
Piotti stated, “Despite our small size, we have a long history of wanting to have a significant voice in international forums.” “We wish to actively participate in forming the future of AI policy.”
Furthermore, she stated that even though Switzerland is not a member of the EU, the EU AI Act is still “extremely relevant” to them.
“If our businesses want to operate within the EU, we must comply. But also because generally with GDPR and many other legislations coming out of the EU, there is always this Brussels effect to then be adopted by parts of the world.”
International recognition of Switzerland’s impartiality is also noteworthy; Brunner emphasized that the country is considered a “trusted moderator.” “We take this responsibility very seriously,” he declared.
Piotti stated, “Despite our small size, we have a long history of wanting to have a significant voice in international forums.” “We wish to actively participate in forming the future of AI policy.”
Furthermore, she stated that even though Switzerland is not a member of the EU, the EU AI Act is still “extremely relevant” to them.
“If our businesses want to operate within the EU, we must comply. But also because generally with GDPR and many other legislations coming out of the EU, there is always this Brussels effect to then be adopted by parts of the world.”
“If our businesses want to operate within the EU, we must comply. But also because generally with GDPR and many other legislations coming out of the EU, there is always this Brussels effect to then be adopted by parts of the world.”
Collaboration with international organizations, many of which have their headquarters in Geneva, is a long and proud tradition in Switzerland.
Brunner gave the example of the Council of Europe, whose AI working group is being led by Switzerland and comprises 46 members, including the US and Japan. He declared, “Switzerland’s superpower is collaboration.”
“We have an outsized voice despite our lack of size. This is highly important in a polarized global political environment.”
Switzerland not only maintains its leadership in AI innovation but also has a major impact on global AI policy due to its pragmatic and tech-neutral approach to AI regulation. 
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