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Safe behaviour on the internet – also on Black Friday
Study on the cybersecurity of Swiss internet users in 2023
A representative survey of over 1,200 people in Switzerland between August and September provided important insights into attitudes and behaviour towards cyber risks. The study shows that hacking and cyberattacks are becoming increasingly clever and frequent. The average household already has seven devices connected online that are potential targets, and this number is expected to rise. Employers play an important role in raising awareness, but this measure does not reach the most affected age group (65+) sufficiently. This group tends to rely on traditional media and their personal environment. Although 86% of respondents feel safe online and 68% rate their skills as good, 31% use the same password for almost all online services. The most common consequences of cyberattacks are financial losses, data loss and violations of personal rights.
The survey was carried out on behalf of the Swiss Mobiliar Insurance Company Ltd, digitalswitzerland, Allianz Digitale Sicherheit Schweiz, the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland FHNW – Digital Transformation Competence Centre, the Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences SATW and Swiss Internet Security Alliance (SISA).
digitalswitzerland is partnering with the Association Swiss Health Data Space to test the current digital healthcare infrastructure in Switzerland and enable citizens to gain valuable information on their health and thus, take control of it. By participating in this initiative, citizens and healthcare professionals will experience the benefits of the digital side of the healthcare system. They will also identify what is required to improve it through secure and effective use of structured health data with a human-centred focus.
The 21st century expedition to explore health data space
In the 20th century, highly motivated astronauts went through intensive preparatory training to explore space. They showed great willingness to take risks and challenge themselves. What does this have to do with digital health, you might ask? We are looking for pioneers willing to explore the health data space to request and store their own health data. We encourage citizens and healthcare professionals to participate actively by testing and improving the digital healthcare infrastructure themselves – it’s only with the direct involvement of the people that we can ensure that the human is placed at the core of the system.
How can you start testing the digital healthcare infrastructure?
This so-called “expedition into the health data space” is looking for two types of stakeholders for a rapid digital transformation of the healthcare infrastructure:
Salutonauts: pioneers (individuals) who want to take ownership of their health data, explore and test the existing health data landscape in Switzerland
Mediconauts: healthcare professionals who accompany the expedition to use structured data to improve the treatment of their patients and make the process more efficient
How will you test existing health data accounts?
Embarking on this expedition as a Salutonaut, you will play an active role and gain much information on your own health. You will do this by:
Making an informed choice on which electronic patient record (EPR) you would like to open and adopt
Testing all your personal health data accounts which you are already using (such as Benecura, Compassana, heyPatient, Well Gesundheit etc.) by depositing your health data and exploring the usefulness of other services on offer.
Having a medical checkup where a Mediconaut – a healthcare professional – will collect 7,000 health data points on your health, which will only be shared with you
Collecting your health insurance claims from your insurance company
Logging all your remarks and feedback on the journey in your expedition logbook
Gathering additional health data from the sensors of your different health devices (e.g. smartwatch) and connect them to your EPR
The costs to become a Salutonaut are 500 CHF. This includes the medical checkup fee as well as the membership fee for the Swiss Health Data Space association.
You can help democratise the healthcare data economy
By becoming an active member of this expedition, you will experience the different health tools, test the current solutions, identify their advantages and help formulate the important regulatory and technical requirements, which are currently lacking to bring the healthcare infrastructure to the next level: a human-centred digital health data space.
This opportunity offers a unique experience to obtain medical history to access new health services for yourself and share it with your family. You will be able to better understand and take control of your health data and make a difference alongside other pioneers.
digitalswitzerland’s Digital Health team is joining the expedition to lead by example and push the barriers of the healthcare system in Switzerland!
The Association Swiss Health Data Space creates the legal, technical, economical and organisational conditions necessary for operating a people-centred health data space for the entire of Switzerland and to provide knowledge transfer to promote transparency, acceptance and trust. The association builds on existing solutions and wants to create the right conditions for the future solutions to meet the key technical and functional requirements. The health data spaces which are promoted are compatible with the European Health Data Space.
In mid-October 2023, digitalswitzerland hosted the second webinar of its Community Talks. This session delved into the crucial topic of data interoperability in healthcare, featuring three panellists representing organisations from digitalswitzerland’s Swiss Patient Journey Ecosystem Map: Oksana Bober, Co-Founder and CEO of iCure, Serge Bignens, President of MIDATA and Head of the Institute for Medical Informatics at the University of Applied Sciences Bern and Gilles Lunzenfichter, Co-Founder and CEO of Medisanté.
digitalswitzerland is committed to digitalising the entire Swiss healthcare system, placing the patient at the centre of the transformation. The Ecosystem Map serves as a guide, illustrating digital solutions in Switzerland dedicated to the patient journey and healthcare system. The map is segmented into five categories and our webinar focused on one of these categories, «data interoperability».
During the discussion, the panellists explored the challenges and potential solutions related to achieving data interoperability in healthcare.
Data should flow like a river between systems
The importance of data interoperability in healthcare cannot be stressed enough. It has the potential to significantly enhance patient care and coordination among healthcare providers. When data becomes interoperable, this supports medical research, ensures regulatory compliance, and reduces costs, all while empowering patients to have greater control over their health information. Data interoperability is a critical element in the modernisation and optimisation of healthcare systems.
For Gilles Lunzenfichter data interoperability is achieved when «data flows like a river, seamlessly and securely from source to an intended destination». This involves the capacity to reuse data within a single system for various purposes and to transfer it between different platforms. Oksana Bober emphasised that «achieving medical data interoperability is a joint effort that encompasses technology as the foundational layer; regulatory aspects, risk management, and organisational adoption and change management as subsequent layers».
Customisation of standards and lack of incentives complicate progress
The panellists discussed challenges related to standardisation efforts and reimbursement issues. They concurred that while standards exist, many solutions tend to customise these standards, complicating efforts to achieve interoperability. Moreover, the costs of implementing data interoperability often fall on parties that do not directly benefit from it. The primary beneficiaries tend to be downstream entities, leaving little to no incentives for those implementing interoperability. An example might be that the IT department of a hospital needs to invest to streamline its digital infrastructure. In the long run, it is mainly the patients or the doctors who will benefit from this investment, as the data will be better structured.
To give incentives is key to implementing interoperability
To move forward and realise data interoperability, it must be considered as a collaborative effort across the ecosystem. Incentivisation is a key factor for faster adoption and efforts should focus on rewarding pioneers who take initiative. Community-based business models and incentives should be developed and promoted. «It’s essential to transition from isolated pilot projects to broader-scale initiatives», Gilles Lunzenfichter states, drawing inspiration from successful use cases in countries like Belgium, Sweden, Germany, France and the US, where incentivisation techniques have been effective. For instance, in Belgium, doctors who share data from their devices with the national eHealth system receive financial rewards. In general, a collective vision should unite all IT stakeholders, extending beyond data interoperability, recognising it as just one aspect of the whole healthcare experience.
The Swiss healthcare system in 2050
To conclude the discussion, the panellists shared their visions for the Swiss healthcare system in 2050:
Gilles Lunzenfichter found that «the hospital of the future is the hospital at home – it’s inevitable». He envisions remote patient monitoring through the use of IoT as the future of healthcare.
Oksana Bober’s vision centres on expediting healthcare delivery to patients by using incentivisation methods that equally motivate various stakeholders.
Serge Bignens stressed the «need for better financial recognition and incentives for coordination of care as a driving force behind interoperability adoption in healthcare or a push for mandatory Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)».
In summary, achieving data interoperability in healthcare holds immense potential for improving patient care and the healthcare ecosystem as a whole. To realise this, it’s crucial to address challenges, incentivise stakeholders, and work together to build a healthcare system that is patient-centric and data-driven.
About the panellists:
Serge Bignens, President of MIDATA and Head of the Institute for Medical Informatics at the University of Applied Sciences Bern. MIDATA Cooperative specialises in health data management and has developed a governance model and IT platform giving citizens full control on the management and reuse of their personal data in anonymized or pseudonymized form.
Oksana Bober, Co-Founder and CEO of iCure. iCure provides out of the box back-end solutions for medical records and patient data, so that Electronic Health Records and Medical Devices companies specialising in electronic medical records, outpatient monitoring, digital therapeutics and HCP-patient interaction can build secure, compliant and interoperable software faster and with lower risks.
Gilles Lunzenfichter, Co-Founder and CEO of Medisanté. Medisanté offers medical IoT data as a service, abstracting a wide array of provisioned devices requiring no configuration by the patient at home in a single cloud infrastructure platform.
Switzerland needs new ways to make sustainable use of the promising potential of the platform economy. On the one hand, platform models can make the labour market more flexible; on the other hand, the social security of platform service providers must be guaranteed. With innovative social security models, a new era of “flexicurity” can be ushered in, enabling economic growth with consistent social protection.
This discussion paper and the working group responsible for it were developed between the end of April and the beginning of August 2023 and followed from the definition of thematic priorities in the context of a strategy workshop of digitalswitzerland’s Public Affairs Committee on 12 January 2023.
In partnership with Bilanz, Handelszeitung and PME, and supported by Innosuisse – the Swiss Innovation Agency, we are delighted to celebrate the 100 Digital Shapers who have made a huge contribution to Switzerland’s digital future. Read detailed interviews with all 100 Digital Shapers in the dedicated Bilanz publication.
We extend our congratulations to all Digital Shapers 2023, and thank them for their efforts and continued resilience and visionary thinking.
The categories
This year, the following 10 categories covered:
1. The Spin-off Founders
Entrepreneurs who carve out their idea from a big organisation into a startup
2. The Incubators
People who help digital startups to grow – with money, advice and connections
3. The Internationalisers
Founders and advisors who help their startups to establish a foothold in foreign markets
4. The Nature Techies
People who use digital transformation in order to protect, and preserve nature
5. The Decentralisers
They distribute data around the world leveraging technologies like Web 3.0, distributed ledger, blockchain, cloud & Co.
6. The eMedics
People who use digital transformation to improve various aspects of wellbeing, health and medicine
7. The AI Generators
Masterminds of putting Artificial Intelligence to use
8.The eTeachers
Helping to educate the world using digital tools is their mission
9. The Mobilisers
People who transport mobility into the digital age
10. The Smarties
Experts in the Internet of things that make dumb devices smart
In partnership with BILANZ Wirtschaftsmagazin, HANDELSZEITUNG and PME, and supported by Innosuisse, digitalswitzerland is once again celebrating the 100 people changing the face of the Swiss digital landscape. Read the full interviews with all 100 Digital Shapers in the dedicated Bilanz issue.
Shaping the digital landscape in Switzerland
We are pleased to introduce Digital Shapers 2023, a group of dedicated innovators who are committed to shaping a digital future that empowers us all. Their tireless efforts and passion serve as a driving force, inspiring their peers to redefine the limits of what is possible. We are delighted to support this annual campaign. We seized the opportunity to learn what drives these visionaries and are pleased to present some of the deserving winners!
The Nature Techies: People who use digital transformation in order to protect and preserve nature.
Auréline Grange
Auréline and her team at Open Forest Protocol have developed scalable, open and transparent monitoring and financing tools to massively scale the restoration of nature and forests especially. These tools are, for instance, now being used by organisations and landowners in the Global South. Some of these landowners used to have no other choice than to deforest their land to get revenue. With Open Forest Protocol, they now have access to an alternative revenue stream based on reforestation and forest protection.
Q: What are you most excited about for digital innovation in 2023 and beyond?
A: “I’m genuinely excited about the potential of digital innovations such as remote sensing, AI, and blockchain in addressing climate change. These technologies offer game-changing transparency and can ensure that funds are directed efficiently to essential nature-based climate initiatives. By meticulously tracking progress and validating results, we are able to ensure utmost accountability and effectiveness. As our planet faces critical challenges, it’s really imperative that we leverage these innovations to scale our efforts, steering us towards a much needed, more sustainable and resilient world.”
Q: What will be the biggest change in the world of digital and the way you work in the next 10 years?
A: “I think in the next 10 years, we’ll see a lot of pressure on humans to use digital innovation and tools to always become more efficient. Hopefully, we’ll be able to remember the irreplaceable value of physical interactions between us and how creative and skilled at problem-solving we are when we work together. I truly believe that balancing the efficiency of digital innovations with the nuances of human interaction will be key to creating a holistic, productive, and fulfilling work environment for us all.”
The Spin-off Founders: Entrepreneurs who carve out their idea from a big organisation into a startup.
Péter Fankhauser
Péter completed his PhD in robotics in 2017, alongside co-founding ANYbotics. Through various roles, including now leading at the front as CEO, Peter is driving impact on a global scale at ANYbotics.
Q: Where do you think Switzerland can make the most impact on the digital innovation stage?
A: “Switzerland’s unique strength lies in blending its history of precision engineering with a strong push in software & AI, backed by our leading universities. This combination creates an ideal environment to transform AI into tangible products, like robotics, addressing pressing global challenges such as workforce shortages and sustainable production.”
Q: What will be the biggest change in the world of digital and the way you work in the next 10 years?
A: “In the next 10 years, the most significant change will be how seamlessly we can interact with and use machines, all thanks to AI. It will be a huge shift, similar to the transition from typewriters to computers.”
The Internationalisers: Founders and advisors who help their startups to establish a foothold in foreign markets.
Emilia Pasquier
As the CEO of Swissnex in San Francisco, Emilia Pasquier supports Swiss innovators, startups, artists, and academia in exploring or entering the US market by connecting them to key players in the San Francisco Bay Area. With a team of over ten Swiss and American professionals, her overarching goal is to connect Switzerland and the world in education, research, and innovation. Pasquier’s focus is to strengthen Switzerland’s position as a world-leading hotspot of innovation.
Q: If you could give your 16-year-old self one piece of advice (career or life), what would it be?
A: “If I could advise my 16-year-old self, I’d say: be wild, rebellious, and audacious. Embrace the uncharted paths, and don’t fear failure. The unconventional roads often lead to the most extraordinary destinations. Challenge the norms, strive for innovation, and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone, as pushing the boundaries very seldom happens from within them. In both life and career, it’s these qualities that inspire change and drive success.”
Q: Where do you think Switzerland can make the most impact on the digital innovation stage?
A: “Switzerland has the potential to make a profound impact on the digital innovation stage, particularly in the area of health, where we have established considerable knowledge through small and big corporates and are amongst the global leaders. Moreover, Switzerland can impact the space by becoming an international platform for crucial discussions around the ethical use of AI. Building upon the legacy of international Geneva, we can lead dialogues that shape responsible AI governance, thereby ensuring that technology evolves in harmony with human values and global standards.”
The Spin-off Founders: Entrepreneurs who carve out their idea from a big organisation into a startup.
Silvio Bonaccio
Silvio Bonaccio is one of Switzerland’s most influential people in generating spin-offs. He has led the ETH technology transfer for nearly two decades – spinning off countless companies and encouraging a generation of entrepreneurs.
Q: Where do you think Switzerland can make the most impact on the digital innovation stage?
A: “In Switzerland in general and at ETH Zurich in particular, one finds world leading centres and institutes in many areas, such as information security and privacy, robotics/autonomous systems, AI, visual computing, quantum computing, etc. to name just a few. We are very well positioned in terms of technology. What we need to provide are efficient platforms and support structures to allow for a fast development and a short time-to-market. Then our country will continue to have an impact on the digital innovation stage in various fields.”
Q: What will be the biggest change in the world of digital and the way you work in the next 10 years?A: “The future of augmented reality (AR) changes the way we interact with the digital world and merges the virtual elements with our physical surroundings. This innovation will permeate all areas of life. Already today, our researchers at ETH Zurich are developing products like context-aware AR support for complex operator tasks, hand action prediction or visualisation strategies.”
The Decentralisers: They distribute data around the world leveraging technologies like Web 3.0, distributed ledger, blockchain, cloud & Co.
Carla Bünger
Pushing technological boundaries is in Carla’s blood. Together with her team at KORE Technologies AG, she operates ISO certified blockchain solutions at scale for large corporates like Richemont Group on a global scale. Her company certainly finds solutions for tough problems. Moreover, Carla is an inspirational speaker and motivates people to move into entrepreneurship and tech.
Q: What are you most excited about for digital innovation in 2023 and beyond?
A: “AI and machine learning will revolutionise industries by automating tasks, uncovering insights from vast data amounts that we can not analyse yet and by enabling personalised experiences. This will accelerate innovation in a massive way. This technology holds immense potential to optimise processes, enhance decision-making, and address complex challenges across various domains, transforming the way we work, live, and interact. It’s not just the next buzzword but a deeply impactful development in humanity.”
Q: If you could give your 16-year old self one piece of advice (career or life), what would it be?
A: “Embrace continuous learning in IT. The digital landscape evolves rapidly; stay curious and adaptable. I’d stress the importance of learning coding and computational thinking as well as cybersecurity basics and data analytics. However, what will be important in addition is everything that technology can’t provide: soft skills. The most important being a critical mind to analyse the validity of sources, the ability to take decisions and focus, creative and networked thinking, the skill to express yourself as well as relate, interact and negotiate with one’s environment.”
The Mobilisers: People who transport mobility into the digital age.
Judith Häberli
Judith is a mobility expert. She sits on the Advisory Board at the Institute for Mobility at the University of St.Gallen and is Co-Founder of Urban Connect. First as CEO and now as COO, she is finding digital solutions for physical problems.
Q: Where do you think Switzerland can make the most impact on the digital innovation stage?
A: “I think an area that is often overlooked is mobility. And I think Switzerland is uniquely qualified to serve as a laboratory to systematically test new mobility concepts by virtue of its small size, diverse landscape, efficient public transport system, its dense network of roads and railways, its advanced level of digitalisation, and its progressive and pragmatic regulatory approach. So, in short, I think concepts can be tested here before being rolled out systemically in bigger countries with a big impact.”
Q: If you could give your 16-year-old self one piece of advice (career or life), what would it be?
A: “I would tell her to stop trying to fit in and instead approach life with a sense of curiosity, wonder and gratitude. I would tell her that failure is part of progress and no one’s opinion about her should ever matter more than her own. I would tell her that the brain works like a muscle and that she should take on challenges, seek out new experiences and hang out with people that talk about ideas and not about people.”
The eMedics: People who use digital transformation to improve various aspects of wellbeing, health and medicine.
Matthias Spühler
Matthias has a long history in healthcare digitalisation, including at KS Winterthur and recently at Inselspital Bern. Today, he is driving patient centric collaboration with heyPatient together with his Co-Founder, Regula Spühler.
Q: What are you most excited about for digital innovation in 2023 and beyond?
A: “We’re excited about elevating quality of life with the help of digitally enhanced healthcare systems, transitioning from a sickcare model to a true healthcare paradigm.”
Q: What will be the biggest change in the world of digital and the way you work in the next 10 years?
A: “Digital augmentation will enable a worldwide enhancement to unfold: We will experience healthier environments, better living, and increased equality. In healthcare, new technologies like the digital twin or AI catalyse transformative progress. We will become much more aware of our own health, what we need for our well-being and have information at hand to take an informed decision when it comes to lifestyle changes or starting a medical treatment.”
The AI Generators: Masterminds of putting Artificial Intelligence to use.
Vanessa Foser
Vanessa Foser is a founder, entrepreneur and board member with a special focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data in combination with innovation, impact and leadership. She supports leading Swiss companies, as well as public institutions, to empower their people on how to make practical use of AI in their daily jobs. Vanessa is also engaged in supporting less privileged people in various countries in getting access to first-class AI education for free, with a special focus on inclusion and diversity.
Q: What are you most excited about for digital innovation in 2023 and beyond?
A: “As an AI-enthusiast/ -pioneer, I am most excited that 2023 stands as the pivotal year when AI’s potential is fully harnessed, driving unprecedented digital progress and revolutionising how we work, communicate, and experience the world. (Generative) AI and digital innovation have converged to define a transformative era. Rapid advancements in machine learning, automation, and data analytics are reshaping industries and everyday life. AI-powered solutions enhance efficiency, personalisation, and problem-solving across all sectors and functions.”
Q: What will be the biggest change in the world of digital and the way you work in the next 10 years?
A: “The next decade will witness a paradigm-shift in the digital world and the way we work. Generative AI-technologies will play a pivotal role in automating even creative and sophisticated tasks, freeing professionals for innovation. The real change lies in our evolving relationship with AI, demanding a culture of digital literacy, encouraging individuals to critically assess the outputs of AI-systems and to intervene when necessary. This synergy ensures AI enhances human capacity, leading to a harmonious coexistence where collective progress thrives.”
The eMedics: People who use digital transformation to improve various aspects of wellbeing, health and medicine.
Sven Beichler
Sven is the Co-Founder and CEO of TOM Medications and has managed to build the fastest growing active community of patients with chronic diseases in Europe in a very short time.
Q: Where do you think Switzerland can make the most impact on the digital innovation stage?
A: “The future of personalised medicine needs data. Switzerland, with its excellence in pharmacy and medical research, is poised to redefine digital innovation in personalised medicine. By integrating data from different health areas and individual health histories, we can gain unparalleled insights. It is critical to disaggregate and share this data, while always respecting regulatory standards, to advance research and care together. This collaborative approach will not only put Switzerland at the forefront of innovation, but also ensure outcomes that benefit individuals.”
The eTeachers: Helping to educate the world using digital tools is their mission.
Öykü Işık
Öykü Işık leads IMD’s Cybersecurity for Managers programme and is an expert on digital resilience and the ways in which disruptive technologies challenge our society and organisations. She helps businesses to tackle cybersecurity, data privacy, and digital ethics challenges, and enables CEOs and other executives to understand these issues, which she believes are too important to be left to technical specialists alone.
Q: Where do you think Switzerland can make the most impact on the digital innovation stage?
A: “I did my PhD in the US because I wanted an international experience, and American universities have that inviting culture that says ‘research’, ‘innovation’ and ‘international collaboration’. But these three years in Switzerland have made me think: ‘why didn’t I come here instead?’ This country is home to a vibrant academic community and, more importantly, a culture of hands-on innovation. It’s clear why it’s a fertile ground for AI and cybersecurity startups.”
Q: What will be the biggest change in the world of digital and the way you work in the next 10 years?
A: I think we’ll have amazing innovations enabled by machine learning and we’re likely to see productivity gains from AI, but I don’t think these necessarily will have a positive impact on our quality of life; I am afraid it won’t make us less overworked. The other aspect is surveillance economy, with social media and data collection: I’m hopeful that the increasing awareness of each new generation, coupled with global regulations, will make the challenge of data privacy better.
The Incubators: People who help digital startups to grow – with money, advice and connections.
Katka Letzing
Katka has been involved in innovation projects connected to acceleration and startup development in the USA, Asia and Europe. She was one member of the founding team of Kickstart and since then has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs to grow and startups to scale up within the Kickstart programmes.
Q: Where do you think Switzerland can make the most impact on the digital innovation stage?
A: “I believe that the impact will be driven by topics of deep tech and circular economy as well as artificial intelligence, digital personalised health, robotics, advanced manufacturing, and blockchain – all mentioned technologies are coming out in Switzerland and will influence the productivity and competitiveness of the country.”
Q: What will be the biggest change in the world of digital and the way you work in the next 10 years?
A: “I believe that as we see a shift of co-existing in a hybrid environment, we will see even more data-driven and highly personalised digital experiences that enhance the way how we can see things and make decisions about customer journeys for better engagement and lifetime. That said, solutions that will continue to break silos and support collaboration will still make a big impact.”
Find out more about the jury behind selecting our deserving winners here.
With its discussion paper on a “Res Publica Digitalis”, digitalswitzerland’s “eGovernment” working group is making an appeal for increased intercommunal and inter-cantonal cooperation in the area of eGovernment. A people-centred approach, efficient and based on the population and the economy, is the best way to advance the digitalisation of the public sector in our federal system.
This discussion paper and the working group responsible for it were developed between the end of April and the beginning of August 2023 and followed from the definition of thematic priorities in the context of a strategy workshop of the Public Affairs Committee of digitalswitzerland on 12 January 2023.
It has now been more than six months after the launch of ChatGPT. Its widespread accessibility – thanks to so-called generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) such as Bard, Claude, Dall-E, or Midjourney – makes it one of the hottest digital topics of 2023. From geeks, to school teachers, to grandparents – everyone is talking about it. The opportunities AI brings are covered extensively in the press – as are the fears it raises. While AI has long been mastering everyday tasks, making scientific breakthroughs and developing creative solutions to the challenges of our time, its pace of development and its ability to learn autonomously are impressive. What does our (near) future look like with digital intelligence? Will AI one day also be able to think and act ethically? And what consequences would this have for us humans? Should we be optimistic or fearful? These are the questions we asked the attendees of our event “Künstlich und Intelligent?” held in collaboration with SRF in June 2023.
06.06.2023,SRF Event, künstlich und intelligent?06.06.2023,SRF Event, künstlich und intelligent?
People’s biggest fears about AI
One thing is clear: The public’s greatest fear about AI is that it can be misused. In fact, a lot of people realise the massive potential this technology represents, and how it can just as easily be used for the wrong purposes such as in cyberattacks, data manipulation, social media manipulation, hacking of information systems, hospitals or cars – just to name a few. In this sense, many have also raised fears regarding distortion of reality, misinformation, proliferation of fake news that can all have major implications for our democratic society. The threat of hidden manipulation by AI, lack of transparency over systems and algorithms are all growing concerns that will undoubtedly have to be addressed quickly. In addition, and similarly to other technologies, people have also questioned the responsibility and accountability in the development of AI.
Therefore, for many, adopting norms and regulations (as it is currently ongoing at the European level), including a framework favourable to the development of these technologies while limiting the risks of abuse was highlighted as approaches to reduce fears in the population.
06.06.2023,SRF Event, künstlich und intelligent?
The bright side of AI
Most people recognise the positive potential of AI. While they don’t expect to understand the technology in detail, they definitely hope to be able to use it to make their daily lives easier. The hope of increased productivity (i.e., reduce repetitive and less demanding intellectual tasks) was by far the most positive aspect shared by the attendees. Indeed, AI can be an enormous support tool, in particular at work, to simplify complex procedures and can surely increase creativity (i.e. video, image, text). Other people also noted how AI can open up new possibilities, such as further advances in science and research, support for global threats (e.g. sustainable solutions to climate change via intelligent irrigation systems).
06.06.2023,SRF Event, künstlich und intelligent?
How can our fears about AI be overcome ?
Humans have always adapted to new technologies. Nevertheless, the speed of technological change today is unprecedented. Trying to keep up with this pace can lead to feelings of being overwhelmed. It can even lead to fear – fear that technology could escape society’s control – as mentioned several times by the attendees. That is why we asked them what it would take to overcome their fears:
The most pressing need expressed was the need for transparency: most of the participants explained how transparent information, awareness and communication is essential to create understanding about how AI algorithms and systems are built and work. This is key to building trust. Another important need that was raised several times was education. Educating the population on how to make use of AI through learning, sharing of experiences, exploring, and in particular, promoting critical thinking skills. Others highlighted the need for governance and regulations to ensure responsible design and use of AI through means of international agreements, implementation of ethical filters and rules. Some attendees raised the need for verification mechanisms to prevent the spread of misinformation. This could, for example, be achieved through fact-checkers, or cross-referencing of other reputable sources.
What lies ahead
Overall, as with most new technological breakthroughs, there is always a period of adaptation before society accepts it, integrates it and benefits from its full potential. Many questions will remain open for now and will inevitably be addressed in the near future. From a societal perspective, one of the main challenges will be to ensure everyone has access to these new technologies as well as learning tools. Finally, one of the very specific characteristics of new, AI-driven, digital technologies is the speed of their deployment (ChatGPT has been used by more than a million people in about two months) and their transversality (i.e. the fact that they impact almost all aspects of our private and professional lives). One of the associated big challenges is to find adequate (legal and societal) adoption mechanisms able to efficiently cope with the speed and broadness of the ongoing changes.
Switzerland needs a vision of how artificial intelligence can be used for Switzerland’s growth and prosperity – wisely regulated and at the centre of public dialogue. digitalswitzerland’s “Artificial Intelligence” working group has addressed this issue and identified five key areas that Switzerland needs to talk about: Technology & Economy, Regulation, Education, the Dialogue with the Public and Leadership.
This discussion paper and the working group responsible for it were developed between the end of April and the beginning of August 2023 and followed on from the definition of thematic priorities at a strategy workshop held by digitalswitzerland’s Public Affairs Committee on 12 January 2023.
Today, we launch Community Talks – an event format that was developed based on extensive and regular exchanges with our members and partners. Community Talks are more than just gatherings; with a diverse range of topics and speakers, each event serves to equip our members and partners with new skills and meaningful connections. Curated by digitalswitzerland, these events give our members and partners the opportunity to become more visible within the community, establish contacts across Switzerland, share or expand their expertise and help other members and partners grow their knowledge while gaining new insights themselves.
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