Artificial intelligence Federal Council wants to adopt AI conventions of the Council of Europe
The Federal Council wants to incorporate the Council of Europe's conventions on artificial intelligence into Swiss law. Where legislative amendments are necessary, these should be as sector-specific as possible.
12.02.2025, 11:21
12.02.2025, 16:23
SDA
The Federal Council announced on Wednesday that general, cross-sector regulation would be limited to central areas relevant to fundamental rights, such as data protection. Regulatory activities in individual areas such as healthcare and transport are to be continued.
Regulation in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) should strengthen Switzerland as a location for innovation, protect fundamental rights, including economic freedom, and strengthen the public's trust in AI, according to the national government.
To this end, the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP), together with the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) and the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), will prepare a consultation draft by the end of 2026, it added. This should implement the Council of Europe conventions by defining the necessary legal measures in the areas of transparency, data protection, non-discrimination and supervision.
Criticism from the Greens
The Greens have rated the Federal Council's regulatory approaches as toothless and hesitant, as they write. In a world that is already heavily influenced by AI technologies, clear rules and obligations for everyone are needed quickly. Switzerland must advocate for AI applications that benefit the common good and the environment and adhere to the values of democracy, sustainability and human rights. AI needs clear rules and should not only serve autocracies and profit, Green Party National Councillor Balthasar Glättli (ZH) was quoted as saying.
The Syndicom trade union welcomed the Federal Council's approach in a communiqué. At the same time, however, it called for effective AI regulation to extend not only to the state, but also to private players. Syndicom wants a mandatory risk and impact assessment for AI systems to ensure that their effects on jobs, employment relationships and the rights of employees are carefully examined.
In November 2023, the Federal Department of Home Affairs and the FDFA presented various analyses on possible regulatory approaches on behalf of the Federal Council. The FDJP was also closely involved in the work. The analyses examined the impact of the Council of Europe's AI Convention, provided an overview of existing and planned changes to federal law in various sectors and showed the regulatory developments in twenty selected countries.
The Council of Europe adopted the AI conventions in May of last year. They are intended to regulate the use of AI in the public and private sectors.
