Swiss tech

Welcome to SWI swissinfo.ch’s focus on science.

Swiss universities to release multilingual AI programme

Trained on the “Alps” supercomputer at the Swiss National Supercomputing Centre (CSCS) in Lugano, the new LLM marks a milestone in open-source AI and multilingual excellence, according to its developers.

This content was published on Jul 9, 2025 This summer researchers at Swiss universities will make available a large language model (LLM), an AI programme trained on vast amounts of data, developed on public infrastructure.

Do you worry about the environmental impact of AI?

Current artificial intelligence tools need huge amounts of energy and natural resources to function. Does this affect the way you use them?

Join the discussion

Jan 14, 2025

9 Likes

19 Comments

View the discussion

External Content

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Almost finished… We need to confirm your email address. To complete the subscription process, please click the link in the email we just sent you.

Science and technology: Insights from Switzerland

Our monthly newsletter helps you understand how developments in science and technology out of Switzerland are shaping our lives.

Monthly

The SBC Privacy Policy provides additional information on how your data is processed.

I consent to the use of my data for the SWI swissinfo.ch newsletter.

The centre will link data from satellites, drones, measuring stations, and other sources.

Switzerland to build CHF100m Earth Observation Centre

This content was published on Jul 8, 2025 Swiss Earth Observation Centre will be funded by a donation of CHF100 million.

Reconstruction of the destroyed bridge in Val Maggia (TI) has begun

Reconstruction starts of destroyed Swiss Visletto bridge

This content was published on Jul 8, 2025 The Visletto bridge, destroyed by Swiss storms in June 2024, will be rebuilt by late autumn 2026.

AI giants accused of hiding environmental footprint

This content was published on Jul 8, 2025 The boom in artificial intelligence (AI) comes with environmental costs that are still largely hidden.

New 3D simulations for better avalanche forecasting

New Swiss 3D simulation tool offers better landslide forecasting

This content was published on Jul 7, 2025 A new 3D simulation tool is enabling much more accurate avalanche forecasts. The model, which proved its worth during the landslides in Brienz (GR) and Blatten (VS), could lead to more effective management of alpine risks.

Lenk Glacier Lake drained without complications

Swiss glacier lake drains without causing flooding damage

This content was published on Jul 7, 2025 The Faverges glacial lake on the Plaine Morte above Lenk in the Bernese Oberland drained over the weekend. There was no flooding or damage, the authorities announced on Monday.

257 Swiss companies are members of the SBTi

More than 250 Swiss companies sign CO2 reduction initiative

This content was published on Jul 5, 2025 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.

Swiss glaciers have lost the mass accumulated over the winter

Swiss glaciers lose winter snow and ice covering

This content was published on Jul 4, 2025 Swiss glaciers lose all the snow and ice accumulated over the winter and are now losing mass.

Building density does not necessarily make cities warmer

This content was published on Jul 4, 2025 High-density building does not necessarily lead to more heat in cities.

84 million bill expected for Val Mescolcina disaster in 2024

Swiss Val Mescolcina disaster cost CHF84 million

This content was published on Jul 3, 2025 The destructive storms in the Swiss Val Mesolcina region will cost an estimated CHF84 million.

Beznau power station completely disconnected due to heat

Swiss nuclear power station disconnected due to heat

This content was published on Jul 3, 2025 Both reactors at Beznau nuclear power plant in Switzerland have been shut down due to the heat.

Construction of the first alpine solar plant in Central Switzerland begins

Construction of Swiss Alpine solar plant begins

This content was published on Jul 3, 2025 Construction of the first alpine solar plant in central Switzerland has started.

Swiss space telescope CHEOPS discovers ‘suicidal planet’

This content was published on Jul 2, 2025 Swiss telescope CHEOPS has found a planet shrinking rapidly near its star.

Swiss lakes reach record high temperatures

This content was published on Jul 2, 2025 Swiss lakes hit record high temperatures due to a heatwave, impacting wildlife and water quality.

Basel Zoo announces offspring of endangered bird species

This content was published on Jul 2, 2025 Basel Zoo is celebrating successful breeding of endangered bird species, aiding conservation.

Climate change increases earthquake risk on the Mont Blanc massif

Study finds climate change increases earthquake risk on Mont Blanc

This content was published on Jul 2, 2025 Climate change has sharply increased earthquake risk on the Mont Blanc massif according to a new study.

Swiss firm BioVersys signs deal with Shionogi for antibiotics research

This content was published on Jul 2, 2025 Swiss firm BioVersys and Japanese firm Shionogi have joined forces on antibiotic research.

Beznau nuclear power plant shuts down one of its reactors due to the heat

Swiss nuclear power plant shuts down reactor due to the heat

This content was published on Jul 2, 2025 A Swiss nuclear reactor shuts down due to high river temperatures to protect local wildlife.

Satellite for European weather forecasts flies into space

This content was published on Jul 2, 2025 Europe launches new weather satellite for more precise storm warnings including in Switzerland.

Swiss oddities

Mennonite movement turns 500 in Zurich, where it all began

Cooks at work in the kitchen, pictured during a look behind the scenes at Hotel Seedamm Plaza in Pfaeffikon, canton of Schwyz, Switzerland, on March 31, 2014. (KEYSTONE/Christian Beutler)

Foreign Affairs

In Switzerland four out of ten people have a migrant background – who are they?

Swiss cantons issue heat warnings

The additional costs that Switzerland will incur when purchasing the US F-35 fighter jet continue to be a concern.

Swiss Politics

Renewed controversy in Switzerland over US fighter jets – explained

Swiss banks have never managed as much wealth as now

Swiss private bank vaults house CHF3.4 trillion

Did you immigrate to Switzerland? What are your experiences?

What were the circumstances of your immigration to Switzerland? And what motivated your decision to stay or leave?

Join the discussion

Apr 1, 2025

26 Likes

50 Comments

View the discussion

Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?

Eurostar is planning to run direct trains from Britain to Germany and Switzerland from the early 2030s. Would you favour the train over the plane? If not, why not?

Join the discussion

Jun 13, 2025

23 Likes

16 Comments

View the discussion

Would you work for your municipality or country for free?

The Swiss militia system gives many people political responsibility but no salary. Would that be something for your country?

Join the discussion

Apr 24, 2025

18 Likes

19 Comments

View the discussion

Swiss tech

More

Swiss universities to release multilingual AI programme

More

Do you worry about the environmental impact of AI?

More

Switzerland to build CHF100m Earth Observation Centre

More

Reconstruction starts of destroyed Swiss Visletto bridge

More

AI giants accused of hiding environmental footprint

More

New Swiss 3D simulation tool offers better landslide forecasting

More

Swiss glacier lake drains without causing flooding damage

More

More than 250 Swiss companies sign CO2 reduction initiative

More

Swiss glaciers lose winter snow and ice covering

More

Building density does not necessarily make cities warmer

More

Swiss Val Mescolcina disaster cost CHF84 million

More

Swiss nuclear power station disconnected due to heat

More

Construction of Swiss Alpine solar plant begins

More

Swiss space telescope CHEOPS discovers ‘suicidal planet’

More

Swiss lakes reach record high temperatures

More

Basel Zoo announces offspring of endangered bird species

More

Study finds climate change increases earthquake risk on Mont Blanc

More

Swiss firm BioVersys signs deal with Shionogi for antibiotics research

More

Swiss nuclear power plant shuts down reactor due to the heat

More

Satellite for European weather forecasts flies into space

Popular Stories

More

Mennonite movement turns 500 in Zurich, where it all began

More

In Switzerland four out of ten people have a migrant background – who are they?

More

Swiss cantons issue heat warnings

More

Renewed controversy in Switzerland over US fighter jets – explained

More

Swiss private bank vaults house CHF3.4 trillion

Most Discussed

More

Did you immigrate to Switzerland? What are your experiences?

More

Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?

More

Would you work for your municipality or country for free?