SPHN: From initiative to sustainable data infrastructure for research

The Swiss Young Academy has admitted six new members from a wide range of disciplines. They were officially welcomed at a ceremony in Bern on 12 June 2026. No sooner had they joined than they were actively contributing to a major debate on artificial intelligence (AI) in research. One key insight emerged: AI cannot replace scientific thinking.

The Swiss Young Academy has published its 2025 Annual Report, looking back on an eventful year marked by numerous interdisciplinary projects, new initiatives and growing networking. The report documents the Academy’s continued development, its thematic priorities, and the activities of joint projects on artificial intelligence, science policy, academic career paths and science communication. A particular highlight was the hosting of the European National Young Academies Meeting (ENYA) in Bern, where around 80 representatives of European Young Academies spent two days discussing the topic of science diplomacy.

Emmanuel Senft has fulfilled a childhood dream: he develops and researches robots. Through the Swiss Young Academy, he works to ensure that artificial intelligence enriches scientific thinking – without replacing the process of discovery itself. And to make the academic system fairer.