In November 2020, Switzerland unveiled AI Guidelines for the Federal Government, aimed at ensuring a coherent government policy for AI. The guidelines place people at the centre, establishing framework conditions for AI development and use, ensuring transparency and explainability, promoting accountability and safety, and involving all affected national and international actors.
These guidelines are part of Switzerland's broader Digital Switzerland Strategies, which outline principles and key objectives for digital transformation across all sectors. The country's approach to AI is integrated into its overall digital strategy, focusing on education and training, research, innovation, and framework development.
The country has endorsed the OECD AI Principles and the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI. Switzerland also plays a significant role in hosting international organisations in Geneva, including the annual AI for Good Global Summit.
The Swiss Foreign Policy Strategy 2020-2023 embodies digitalisation as a key focus area, aiming to position Geneva as a global hub for digital and technology debates. Switzerland is also working to align its data protection laws with European standards, having revised its Federal Act on Data Protection to comply with the modernised Council of Europe Convention 108.
Switzerland's approach to data protection is grounded in its Federal Constitution, which guarantees the right to privacy and protection against misuse of personal data. The Federal Act on Data Protection (FADP) and its accompanying ordinance regulate data protection in detail. A revised version of the FADP, set to come into force in September 2023, will improve transparency in data processing and strengthen individuals' self-determination over their data.
The Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC) serves as the primary oversight body for data processing by federal bodies and private entities. The revision of the FADP has granted the FDPIC more competencies and resources, allowing for more comprehensive oversight of data protection regulations.
Switzerland has taken steps to promote algorithmic transparency, particularly in the public sector. The revised FADP introduces a duty to inform in cases of automated individual decisions, requiring transparency and the opportunity for human review. There are also growing calls from civil society and political actors for greater transparency in algorithmic decision-making systems used by public administrations.
The country's direct democracy system allows for significant public participation in policy-making. Various platforms and initiatives, such as the Digital Switzerland website and the opendata.swiss portal, facilitate public engagement and information sharing on digital and AI-related policies.
Switzerland maintains a high score for political rights and civil liberties according to international assessments. The country's approach to AI governance emphasises ethical considerations and human rights protection, as reflected in its national guidelines and international commitments.
The establishment of a national human rights institution (NHRI) and ongoing efforts to integrate human rights considerations into AI policy demonstrate Switzerland's work in balancing technological advancement with fundamental rights protection.
This country report is our interpretation and summary of the "CAIDP Artificial Intelligence & Democratic Values Index 2023". The full report can be found here - https://www.caidp.org/reports/aidv-2023/