Stories about scientific innovation out of Switzerland, such as space research, materials science and AI applications.
More
Swiss shoppers trust chatbots. Should they?
This content was published on
AI chatbots are said to influence purchasing decisions three times more than Google. Can we still trust their recommendations?
This content was published on
AI chatbots are said to influence purchasing decisions three times more than Google. Can we still trust their recommendations?
Google’s business dealings with Israel: Swiss servers raise sensitive questions
This content was published on
Google provides Israel with cloud services that are co-developed in Switzerland and may also be used for military purposes.
A Swiss scientific achievement that’s totally random
This content was published on
Encryption systems rely on “random” numbers, but conventional computers can’t generate them perfectly. New research at the Swiss federal technology institute ETH Zurich shows that quantum physics can.
Can Switzerland live without Big Tech? We put it to the test
This content was published on
Switzerland wants digital sovereignty, but can it really distance itself from Big Tech? Two Swissinfo journalists tried cutting ties with US tech giants. Here’s what happened.
Swiss smart cities promise efficiency – at the price of your data
This content was published on
Swiss cities are becoming increasingly “smart,” efficient, and connected. But behind the promise of better services, the collection of personal data is also growing, along with the use of AI-based systems and reliance on private companies.
How AI data centres risk straining Switzerland’s water resources
This content was published on
Switzerland’s rapidly expanding data centre sector is consuming ever‑greater amounts of water, driven by AI and the push for digital sovereignty.
Why Merantix founder Adrian Locher chose Berlin over Zurich for his AI start-up
This content was published on
Ten years ago, Adrian Locher from Bern set out to find the ideal location to develop an AI ecosystem – and ultimately chose Germany over Switzerland.
Swiss organisation wins award for tracking data centre pollution
This content was published on
The Swiss Datacenter Efficiency Association has received international recognition for a computer that measures, for the first time, the environmental and climate impact of a data centre.
How Swiss AI recognises wild animals – and helps biologists worldwide
This content was published on
From identifying bears in Alaska to tracking deer in the Alps, Swiss AI could open new frontiers in wildlife conservation. But it still needs humans sending back the data from the field.
Art condenses the universe into tangible reality in Beijing
This content was published on
As Switzerland and China mark 75 years of diplomatic relations with a year of joint cultural and tourism events, Beijing is hosting an exhibition celebrating the meeting of science and art.
This content was published on
Switzerland’s proposed law on space operations will impact on how we collectively manage our activities beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
How satellites and AI can help check the pulse of our warming planet
This content was published on
Swiss and international experts are banking on a growing constellation of satellites and artificial intelligence models to give more accurate insights into greenhouse gas emissions.
Lift off! Swiss students build next-gen reusable rockets
This content was published on
Rocket-building used to be the sole preserve of space-faring nations like the United States or Russia. Now many other players are getting involved from private companies to young researchers, even from Switzerland.
This content was published on
Swiss students are propelling the future of space travel with innovative reusable rocket technology, putting Switzerland on the map in the global space race.
This content was published on
Watch how two Bern astrophysicists are hoping to dig beneath the surface of a comet to find out more about the origins of the solar system.
The small robot aiming to explore volcanic tunnels on the moon
This content was published on
In the not-too-distant future, a hopping Swiss-developed robot could be bound for the moon to pave the way for future missions.
Google’s business dealings with Israel: Swiss servers raise sensitive questions
This content was published on
Google provides Israel with cloud services that are co-developed in Switzerland and may also be used for military purposes.
A Swiss scientific achievement that’s totally random
This content was published on
Encryption systems rely on “random” numbers, but conventional computers can’t generate them perfectly. New research at the Swiss federal technology institute ETH Zurich shows that quantum physics can.
Can Switzerland live without Big Tech? We put it to the test
This content was published on
Switzerland wants digital sovereignty, but can it really distance itself from Big Tech? Two Swissinfo journalists tried cutting ties with US tech giants. Here’s what happened.
This content was published on
Two journalists cut ties with Big Tech to test digital independence. Discover the challenges and insights from their real-life experiment.
Gigantic new CERN collider aims to unlock secrets of universe
This content was published on
Explore CERN’s plan for the Future Circular Collider. Learn about the project’s massive cost and environmental controversy.
Swiss smart cities promise efficiency – at the price of your data
This content was published on
Swiss cities are becoming increasingly “smart,” efficient, and connected. But behind the promise of better services, the collection of personal data is also growing, along with the use of AI-based systems and reliance on private companies.
CERN’s next giant leap is a machine that could unlock the universe
This content was published on
CERN’s Large Hadron Collider transformed our understanding of the universe. Now the lab wants to build something far bigger.
How AI data centres risk straining Switzerland’s water resources
This content was published on
Switzerland’s rapidly expanding data centre sector is consuming ever‑greater amounts of water, driven by AI and the push for digital sovereignty.
Why Merantix founder Adrian Locher chose Berlin over Zurich for his AI start-up
This content was published on
Ten years ago, Adrian Locher from Bern set out to find the ideal location to develop an AI ecosystem – and ultimately chose Germany over Switzerland.
Swiss organisation wins award for tracking data centre pollution
This content was published on
The Swiss Datacenter Efficiency Association has received international recognition for a computer that measures, for the first time, the environmental and climate impact of a data centre.
How Swiss AI recognises wild animals – and helps biologists worldwide
This content was published on
From identifying bears in Alaska to tracking deer in the Alps, Swiss AI could open new frontiers in wildlife conservation. But it still needs humans sending back the data from the field.
Switzerland builds world’s most powerful redox-flow battery
This content was published on
A Swiss firm is constructing what it claims is the world’s most powerful redox‑flow battery in Laufenburg, northern Switzerland.
‘I don’t remember what it was like without AI’: Swiss youth are getting hooked on chatbots
This content was published on
From study aides to emotional support, AI chatbots are becoming constant companions for many young people in Switzerland, raising concerns about attention levels, loneliness and dependence.
Ban social media for teens? What Switzerland can learn from Australia
This content was published on
Australia has banned social media for those under 16, sparking debate in Switzerland and around the world. But experts warn that bans alone are not enough.
This content was published on
Unpacking semiconductors, Switzerland’s chip strategy, and the high-stakes global race for tech dominance in our latest podcast.
Science podcast: the 2000-watt society – a Swiss experiment in sustainable living
This content was published on
Join us as we delve into the 2000-watt society and its significance for energy efficiency and environmental responsibility.
Science podcast: Antarctica’s oldest ice holds the key to unlocking Earth’s climate secrets
This content was published on
Researchers in Bern are studying Antarctica’s oldest ice, extracted from a depth of more than 2,500 metres, to better understand Earth’s climate future.
Science podcast: The invasion of quagga mussels – and how it can be stopped
This content was published on
The quagga mussel is reshaping ecosystems and threatening water supplies. We explore the fight against the mussel invasion in Switzerland.
Swiss AI model ‘listens’ to the mountain to detect avalanches
This content was published on
Far from being silent, mountains creak, vibrate and shift. Now, algorithms are learning to listen to them in order to detect avalanches and avoid accidents.
This content was published on
In episode 6 of this season’s Swiss Connection science podcast, we look at the role of relationships and perceptions in longevity.
Too young to scroll? Rethinking consent in the digital age
This content was published on
What is the right age to be able to access social media? It is also a hot topic in Switzerland, where the government is drawing up a report on the subject.
Science podcast: the story behind the ‘longevity pill’ rapamycin
This content was published on
In episode 5 of this season’s Swiss Connection science podcast, we talk about the discovery of TOR and its potential for longevity.
This content was published on
At the World Economic Forum, small organisations struggle to make their voices heard in the debate on artificial intelligence. A report from Davos.
Science podcast: Can gender diversity create better medicine?
This content was published on
In episode 3 of this season’s Swiss Connection science podcast we look at the role of sex and gender in drug development.
Frankenstein: What Mary Shelley’s ‘Swiss’ creature teaches us about AI
This content was published on
At a time when artificial intelligence shapes our work and recreation, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein helps us reflect on the unexpected consequences of innovation.
Can Switzerland’s power grid keep up with its data centres?
This content was published on
Data centres in Switzerland are already big electricity users. With the growth of AI, the demand for power is set to rise even further.
Smartphones, streaming, AI: digital tech’s outsized climate impact in Switzerland
This content was published on
Everyday devices and online services sap the planet’s natural resources and add to climate change. But there are ways to make digital life greener.
Artificial intelligence in Switzerland: what’s new in 2026
This content was published on
The main drivers will be improvements to Swiss AI model Apertus, generative AI in hospitals and prioritising technological sovereignty.
