The Swiss voice in the world since 1935
Top stories
Stay in touch with Switzerland

Most Swiss distrust Big Tech when it comes to artificial intelligence

ai
Artificial intelligence itself is perceived as more of a threat than an opportunity Keystone / Elijah Nouvelage

Three-quarters of Swiss people say they do not trust the GAFAM (Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon, Microsoft) to act in the interests of society in the development of artificial intelligence.  

Tech companies have a long way to go to win the trust of the Swiss public, according to a survey of 1,245 residents and 327 opinion leaders from the fields of economics, administration, science and education, culture and politics, published on September 24. 

Opinion leaders are even more distrustful of the bosses of GAFAM than the general public, with 86% stating they do not really have confidence in the likes of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg or Alphabet boss Sundar Pichai. Among the general public, 72% of those surveyed do not really trust them or do not trust them at all. 

It is not just a Big Tech problem. Artificial intelligence itself is perceived as more of a threat than an opportunity. Overall six out of ten respondents believe that artificial intelligence will contribute to growing inequalities in society. 

Scientists, on the other hand, are the most trusted when it comes to developing artificial intelligence. Nearly two-thirds of the population and 85% of opinion leaders trust them to act in the interest of society. While Swiss politicians obtain a favourable opinions from the majority (64%) of opinion leaders, this is not the case with the general public (47%). Politicians in general inspire very little confidence (19%) across all groups.  

The survey was carried out by M.I.S Trend in collaboration with the French-language newspaper Le Temps. 

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

News

A live scarecrow competition to thrill Denens (VD)

More

Live scarecrow competition set to thrill Swiss

This content was published on The Fête de l'Epouvantail (scarecrow festival) is celebrating its 30th anniversary and returns to Denens in canton Vaud for its seventh edition from July 10-20.

Read more: Live scarecrow competition set to thrill Swiss
Man dies in accident on toboggan run in Matten near Interlaken BE

More

Man dies on Swiss toboggan run

This content was published on A 35-year-old man has died in a work accident at the valley station of the Heimwehfluh toboggan run in Matten near Interlaken, canton Bern.

Read more: Man dies on Swiss toboggan run
The Swiss embassy in Tehran reopens

More

Swiss embassy in Tehran re-opens

This content was published on The Swiss embassy in Tehran re-opened on Sunday after being closed on June 20 owing to the unstable situation in the country.

Read more: Swiss embassy in Tehran re-opens
Queen of the Netherlands attends European Championship match in Lucerne

More

Euro 2025: Dutch queen cheers on team in Lucerne

This content was published on Queen Maxima of the Netherlands and her youngest daughter Princess Ariane attended the Netherlands' women's European Championship football match against Wales in Switzerland on Saturday.

Read more: Euro 2025: Dutch queen cheers on team in Lucerne
30-year-old charged with drone flight at Women's European Championships

More

Man charged with flying drone at women’s Euro 2025

This content was published on A man flew a drone around the venue on Wednesday evening during the first match of the Women's EURO 2025 in St. Gallen. The 30-year-old violated the absolute ban on flying during match days. He was reported to the police.

Read more: Man charged with flying drone at women’s Euro 2025
257 Swiss companies are members of the SBTi

More

More than 250 Swiss companies sign CO2 reduction initiative

This content was published on A total of 257 companies from Switzerland have signed up to the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). In doing so, they are committing to CO2 reduction targets that are compatible with the Paris Climate Agreement.

Read more: More than 250 Swiss companies sign CO2 reduction initiative
Chaka Khan 'and friends': an evening that would have pleased Quincy Jones

More

Montreux Jazz Festival honours Quincy Jones

This content was published on American artist Chaka Khan ‘and friends’ opened the 59th Montreux Jazz Festival on Friday. For over three hours, their show, dedicated to their friend and mentor Quincy Jones, thrilled the audience,

Read more: Montreux Jazz Festival honours Quincy Jones

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!

If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR