Switzerland may be considered a small country; however, it’s quickly rising as a leader in the responsible development and deployment of AI technology.
The benefits/potentials of AI have been sounded all over the internet. But with the immense power comes immense responsibility by governments and institutions to ensure it’s responsibly developed and used.
Just like any other technological tool, AI can be harnessed for good or for harm. AI algorithms trained on biased data can perpetuate and amplify existing societal inequalities. Many AI decisions are shrouded in complexity, making it difficult to understand their reasoning.
To effectively address the challenges and harness the potential of AI responsibly, regulations and guidelines are crucial.
Switzerland understands this. The country has a long history of innovation and a strong commitment to ethical principles. These strengths are being leveraged to ensure that AI is used for good and not for harm.
How Switzerland is Shaping the Future of Ethical AI
At the recently-ended Davos 2024, the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs announced the Swiss Call for Trust and Transparency Initiative, aimed at bringing together academia, policymakers and the private sector to seek practical and swift solutions to mitigate AI-related risks.
The World Economic Forum reported that the end goal of the initiative is to protect global AI users and develop trust and confidence in AI technologies.
“We are undoubtedly in an era of radical innovation and change and there is a mounting need for AI’s fast and effective governance,” said Alois Zwinggi, Managing Director of the World Economic Forum.
During the event, the Swiss government also announced the formation of an “international network” that will work to make AI more inclusive and mitigate the adverse societal effects that the technology may pose.
Switzerland’s Proactive Measures to Mitigate AI’s Potential Risks
The Swiss government has been working on AI guidelines since 2018 when it began developing a robust set of digital guidelines. The guidelines were designed to take advantage of the opportunities of digitalization in crucial areas of life, such as healthcare, education, and transportation.
In 2020, the government developed specific AI guidelines for use in the federal administration, ensuring that AI is used in a coherent and ethical manner across several activities.
The most recent effort by the government was in November 2023, when it called for an overview of a possible regulatory framework for AI. The framework will build on existing Swiss law and identify rules that are compatible with European Union (EU) legislation.
