- Federal Council to develop national strategy and roadmap for trustworthy, future-oriented AI
- A national competence center is to ensure coordination, networking and an ethical/regulatory platform.
- Strategic promotion of research, innovation and SME support, including ETH/EPFL and SNAI.
- Federal Council supports concerns in principle, but rejects additional bodies and could adapt text to ERI focus.
Motion Christ (25.3288): National AI strategy and roadmap for a sustainable Switzerland
Submitted text
The Federal Council should National strategy and roadmap for future-oriented and trustworthy artificial intelligence (AI) develop. In particular, this should show how:
- a national competence center for AI can be appointed and given clear coordination and networking tasks in order to strengthen cooperation between science, business, administration and SMEs and to serve as a platform for ethical and regulatory issues relating to AI;
- Strategic goals and measures to strengthen research and innovation capacities can be defined, in particular through the targeted promotion of cutting-edge research at institutions such as ETH Zurich and EPFL and the support of SMEs in gaining access to AI skills and applications;
- a plan for Talent development and recruitment This includes the development of training programs as well as international incentives to retain highly qualified specialists.
The roadmap should also identify further measures that are required to strengthen the development and application of trustworthy AI in Switzerland in the long term.
Justification
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a key technology of the future and is influencing numerous areas of the economy and society. Switzerland already has excellent research institutions such as ETH Zurich and EPFL as well as initiatives such as the Swiss Data Science Center. Nevertheless, there is no coordinated, overarching strategy that systematically networks existing strengths and develops them further in a targeted manner. While other countries, such as the EU with the AI Act or the USA with national AI plans, present clear roadmaps, Switzerland lacks a roadmap that defines long-term goals, strategic investments and regulatory framework conditions.
Switzerland has the opportunity to position itself as a leading international innovation location for trustworthy and sustainable AI. This requires clear strategic guidelines and measures. A national competence center for AI could act as a central coordination point and ensure that science, business and administration work together to implement a coherent AI strategy. A national roadmap must show how Switzerland can expand its innovative strength and remain internationally competitive in the long term.
Statement of the Federal Council of 28.5.2025
Access to and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) are important factors for Switzerland’s competitiveness. Overall, Switzerland is well positioned in this area.
For dialog and coordination of Kl, there are various vessels at federal level, namely the “Plateforme Tripartite”. It acts as a national exchange platform for topics related to AI. The annual Swiss Internet Governance Forum under the patronage of OFCOM offers a platform for the discussion of AI. The participatory, open format of these forums deliberately dispenses with rigid structures and offers the flexibility that is necessary for a dynamic area such as AI.
Coordinated activities are also underway with regard to the regulation and use of AI in the administration. On 12.2.2025, the Federal Council instructed the FDJP, together with DETEC, the FDFA and other federal agencies, to submit a consultation draft for the implementation of the Council of Europe’s AI Convention by the end of 2026 with key parameters for legal measures in the areas of transparency, data protection, non-discrimination and supervision. DETEC was also instructed to work with the FDJP, FDFA and EAER to draw up a plan of legally non-binding measures to implement the AI Convention and submit it to the Federal Council by the end of 2026.
Since 21.3.2025, the Federal Administration has been subject to the “Strategy for the use of AI systems in the federal administration”. It aims to provide the best possible support for the digital transformation of the Federal Administration through the use of AI systems. An action plan is currently being drawn up under the leadership of the Federal Chancellery.
Based on the evaluation report of the Artificial Intelligence Competence Network CNAI, the Federal Council decided on 13.9.2024 to strengthen the coordination of AI in the administration and instructed the FDHA and the Federal Chancellery to define measures for institutional development and clarify interdepartmental responsibilities. The results are expected in the first half of 2026.
In terms of AI research and innovation, Switzerland is in a good position compared to other countries. The stakeholders address the challenges in their strategic plans for the ERI Dispatch. All of the research stakeholders supported by the Confederation are active in the field of AI, thus consolidating Switzerland’s position as a location for cutting-edge research. As an example, the Swiss AI Initiative in the ETH Domain, which is working on the development of AI models using the “Alps” supercomputer. Existing instruments (such as the Swiss National Science Foundation) can be used to promote research. SMEs can receive support from Innosuisse or via federally supported technology competence centers of national importance (e.g. CSEM or Idiap Research Institute). Switzerland’s position and any need for action are currently being examined in fulfillment of the Postulate 24.3140 Michel checked.
High-quality education and training that is tailored to requirements is one of the core tasks of both vocational training and universities. The Swiss National AI Institute (SNAI), which is supported by ETH Zurich and EPFL, is worth mentioning. In vocational education and training, the direct involvement of professional organizations in the new and further development of professions and continuing education enables technological developments to be quickly integrated into the skills of future specialists. SMEs in particular also benefit from this.
The Federal Council shares the concerns of the motion in principle, but rejects the establishment of further bodies and structures. Should the motion be adopted in the First Council, it reserves the right to request an amendment to the text in the Second Council with a focus on the ERI sector and without a new national competence center.