Switzerland can chart a unique path in the global AI race by combining three strengths: Zurich’s innovative entrepreneurship, Geneva’s responsible governance, and communal enabling subsidiarity. The Swiss AI Trinity can advance beyond technology by reimagining a national social contract for the AI age, firmly grounded in Swiss values. The country’s AI transformation unfolds as the tech world faces profound flux. Amid the US push for unfettered tech growth and escalating US-China rivalry resembling an AI arms race, the EU and countries worldwide seek their own strategies. Uncertainty grows alongside deepening concerns about AI’s impact, from jobs and the economy to education and media. In this fluid environment, Switzerland has a rare opportunity to carve out a distinctive approach to cutting-edge AI development, anchored in subsidiarity, apprenticeship, and national traditions. Time is short, but the timing is favourable for Switzerland: AI is commoditised: Switzerland’s delayed start in developing LLMs is no longer a disadvantage. New LLMs emerge daily, open-source models enable easy retraining, and AI agents can be built in minutes. Success now hinges on data, knowledge, and uses of AI, not just hardware or algorithms. The key is the nexus between artificial and human intelligence, where Switzerland can excel due to its robust educational and apprenticeship model. Pushback on AI regulation: After a frenzied regulatory race over the last few years, a more balanced approach now prioritises short-term risks (jobs, education) over existential long-term threats. The Trump administration has already slowed down US regulatory momentum, while the EU re-evaluates parts of its AI Act concerning generative models. Switzerland’s prudent regulatory stance has become an advantage. New AI regulation may be adopted as technology matures and cristalyses into real policy problems that should be regulated. Against this backdrop, Switzerland’s AI Trinity proposes a three-pronged strategy: Each pillar builds on existing strengths while addressing the urgent need to rethink business models, governance, and social contracts for the AI era. While cutting-edge technology often seems concentrated in massive data centres and trillion-dollar corporations, DeepSeek exemplifies how breakthroughs can spring from lean, agile labs. Zurich is ideally placed to harness both approaches. Zurich is thus not just a global financial centre, but a beacon for responsible, human-centric AI. While Zurich drives innovation, Geneva can shape balanced global AI governance—a race intensifying amid rival initiatives from the Gulf and emerging tech hubs. Geneva must act decisively: By embracing this role, Geneva can ensure that multilateral bodies guide AI ethics in a transforming world. Switzerland’s greatest AI advantage lies in subsidiarity—the principle of localised decision-making. Distributing AI development across cantons and communities ensures innovation aligns with real needs, addresses local contexts, and leaves no one behind. Key activities include: Switzerland stands at a decisive juncture. Uniting Zurich, Geneva, and its cantons can nurture an AI future that is cutting-edge yet fair, transparent, and Swiss at its core. By adopting this AI Trinity approach—balancing innovation, governance, and subsidiarity—Switzerland can show the world how to embrace advanced technology without sacrificing societal values. Practical steps forward: Swiss AI Trinity approach can democratise AI, empower local innovation, and fuel inclusive growth from the ground up. The tools, talent, and tradition are in place. The time to act is now.
Zurich: Supercharging business and innovation
Geneva: Forging global governance and standards
Communities and cantons: Inclusion through subsidiarity
A call to action: Switzerland’s moment to lead
