On February 12, 2025, the Swiss Federal Council published its approach for regulating artificial intelligence, deciding to maintain Switzerland’s existing sector-specific regulatory framework rather than adopt a general cross-sector AI law. The strategy pursues three objectives: strengthening Switzerland as an innovation hub, safeguarding fundamental rights including economic freedom, and increasing public trust in AI. The Council of Europe’s AI Convention will be implemented primarily through amendments to existing sector-specific laws, with limited general cross-sectoral regulation focused on fundamental rights such as data protection. The Federal Council mandated the FDJP to draft a public consultation proposal for incorporating the AI Convention into Swiss law, with completion expected by end of 2026. Legislative changes are unlikely to come into force before 2029.
Who it affects: All organisations deploying AI systems in Switzerland, regulated across sectors rather than through a unified AI governance body.
What is notably missing: No centralised AI governance authority is being created. Enforcement mechanisms and civil servant training requirements for AI oversight are not specified. The framework relies on sector-specific regulators and self-certification agreements rather than a binding, unified enforcement mechanism. No dedicated implementation timeline for education sector AI governance is included.