Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the world in fundamental ways and impacting practically all areas of the federal government’s remit. The Confederation is working to regulate AI in Switzerland and examining the use of AI within the Federal Administration. This page provides an overview of ongoing work and responsibilities relating to AI.

Regulation of AI

In Switzerland, there is not yet any overarching legislation that deals specifically with AI. For this reason, the Federal Council met on 12 February to discuss an overview of possible regulatory approaches to AI. Based on this analysis, the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) will work with the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC), the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and other relevant federal offices to draw up a bill on AI regulation to be submitted for consultation by the end of 2026. The bill will implement the Council of Europe’s AI Convention by specifying the necessary legal measures, particularly in relation to transparency, data protection, non-discrimination and supervision. The Federal Council has also instructed DETEC, in conjunction with the FDJP, the FDFA and the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), to draw up an implementation plan for legally non-binding measures such as industry solutions and voluntary commitment declarations. This plan is to be completed by the end of 2026.

Further information

• Federal Office of Justice – Artificial intelligence
• Press release dated 12.02.2025 – AI regulation: Federal Council to ratify Council of Europe Convention
• AI analysis, regulatory approaches and legal baseline analyses
• Digital Switzerland – focus theme

Use of AI systems within the Federal Administration

Strategy for the use of AI systems

The Federal Administration’s AI strategy sets out the strategic direction for use of AI systems within the Federal Administration. The strategy is designed to enable the Federal Administration to develop AI skills, find new solutions and optimise its processes. The next step is for the Federal Chancellery to draw up a plan containing concrete implementation measures by the end of 2025.

Guidelines and factsheets

There are already standards in place for the use of AI systems within the Federal Administration. General AI guidelines provide a broad frame of reference, while factsheets on generative AI tools and large language models help employees in their day-to-day work. As a general rule, AI systems may (and should) be used responsibly, but existing regulations – particularly those relating to information security and data protection – must be adhered to at all times, and humans remain responsible for any content that is generated.

Competence Network for Artificial Intelligence (CNAI)

The CNAI offers a number of forums for sharing experiences, an overview of AI projects within the Federal Administration and a range of other resources.

Further information

• Strategy for the use of AI systems in the Federal Administration
• Factsheets on AI in the Federal Administration
• Artificial intelligence guidelines for the Confederation
• CNAI – Competence Network for Artificial Intelligence
• Terminology – CNAI – Competence Network for Artificial Intelligence
• Project database – CNAI – Competence Network for Artificial Intelligence

Responsibilities 

Artificial intelligence is a topic that affects practically all areas of the federal government’s remit. As a result, several bodies are currently engaging with the issue. The Federal Council has decided to strengthen coordination between these bodies and has instructed the Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA) and the Federal Chancellery (FCh) to draw up a proposal for developing coordination on AI. This proposal is to be completed by the end of 2025.

The responsibilities are currently assigned as follows:

• CNAI: Competence centre and network for AI. Central contact partner for AI and point of contact for internal administrative queries.
• Federal Office of Justice (FOJ): Responsible for drawing up a draft bill on AI regulation.
• Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM): Responsible for drawing up further non-legally binding measures relating to AI in Switzerland.
• Directorate of International Law (DIL): Responsible for issues relating to international AI regulation, including coordinating and cooperating with the FOJ and OFCOM on implementation in domestic law.
• DTI Sector of the FCh: Responsible for creating strategies, requirements and implementation measures relating to use of AI systems in the Federal Administration.

AI is also a focus theme for 2025 in the Digital Switzerland Strategy.

Further information

• Confederation wishes to strengthen coordination of artificial intelligence in the administration