Is there a ‘trust gap’ on AI “A critical 昀椀rst step is to articulate clear “Most of the population don’t know in Switzerland? guiding principles for AI innovations. anything about AI. In my view, we Key to these principles is striving for should have a global communication in The digitalswitzerland Foundation transparency and explainability at every Switzerland to outline the bene昀椀ts and level. Per the 昀椀ndings from the World risks of AI, and soon.” hosted a Digital Xchange workshop on 10 Economic Forum earlier this year, Survey respondent AI framework conditions (AI framework mindsets in Switzerland must shift to workshop) in Zurich in November 2023 embrace the fact that every job is an to look at the kinds of regulatory IT job. What this means is that building conditions that could favor AI innovation and using AI ethically is now a universal and establish Switzerland as a trusted responsibility and priority.” hub. Among the key takeaways from our workshop are concerns that the Swiss Sarah Toms, IMD public in general remains largely skeptical about AI. While our survey points to cautious optimism around its potential for “A clear vision, role models, and good, digitalswitzerland experts warn of leadership are crucial to bringing AI to a growing “trust gap” in civil society that the center of society and the economy, is partly driven by imbalanced press and close the trust gap, and foster dialogue media coverage. To bridge this trust gap among all stakeholders. The Swiss and fuel measured and informed uptake Government should take a clear position and adoption, our workshop recommends and play a coordinating role. Similar to the that Swiss authorities redouble efforts to 11 reduce disinformation. This could include DLT regulation , members of the Federal Council or the Federal Chancellery could ramping up of昀椀cial communication on the emphasize the importance of AI and make bene昀椀ts of AI for the Swiss population the issue a key priority at the political and overseeing more regulation of level. To make Switzerland a champion of platforms. The Swiss government should also prioritize greater AI expertise across AI, Switzerland needs “AI champions” from federal, cantonal, and local authorities, the public sector and from the political say our experts. arena.” Mattia Balsiger, digitalswitzerland