News

What will Switzerland look like in 2040? In its report ‘Perspectives for Switzerland 2040’, the Federal Chancellery outlines three possible futures and derives six areas for political action from them. In an interview with the SATW, Vice-Chancellor Rachel Salzmann explains why the future is by no means set in stone, why she describes the scenarios not as bleak but as challenging, and where Switzerland could take a leading role in technology.

Data helps businesses to better understand their target groups and tailor their offerings more effectively. However, not everything that is technically possible is also responsible. How can SMEs ensure that they use data fairly and transparently? The Data Fairness Label from Swiss Insights offers practical guidance on this.

Artificial intelligence can outperform humans in certain tasks. But how meaningful are such achievements, and where are the limits? The key factors are the quality of the training data, realistic performance tests and the transparency of the results. What businesses need to know to deploy AI systems reliably.

The 2026 Technology Days in Lausanne and Dübendorf demonstrated how Swiss research and industry are helping to shape the space sector. The award of the 2029 International Astronautical Congress to Geneva underlines the international significance of Switzerland as a centre for space activities.

AI systems are already being used in many areas of healthcare. How can we ensure that AI delivers patient-centered benefits while being used safely, transparently and fairly? A report sets out recommendations for the responsible use of AI in European healthcare.

There are numerous forms of ethical counselling and support within the Swiss healthcare system. Until now, however, there has been no structured and coordinated program for the certification of specialists working in this field. In September, the Swiss Society for Biomedical Ethics (SGBE) published a curriculum and certification model, thereby closing this gap.

The Gottfried and Julia Bangerter-Rhyner Foundation and the SAMS are launching the funding program «Advanced Physician Scientists Grants» to support outstanding mid-career clinicians trained in Switzerland. The program allows them to devote 50 percent of their working time to their research project for two years, alongside their clinical activity.

 

In 2019, Chloé Carrière co-founded Asclepios, Europe’s first student-led analog space mission. The first crew went into isolation in July 2021. In July 2025, the fifth edition spent 16 days underground at the Sasso San Gottardo fortress in Ticino – a mission that the aerospace engineer now accompanies as a mentor. As “Galactic Chloé”, she reaches a broad audience today with space topics on social media, in her own radio column and through documentary films. In an interview with SATW, she explains what students learn from a simulated moon mission, why she believes Swiss citizens should have a say in space policy, why she had to reshape her own dream of walking on the moon and how to keep Switzerland’s young space industry in the country.