Swiss Government Aims to Adopt Council of Europe AI Conventions
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Loading... - Annette Monet
- 14 Feb 2025
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The Swiss government has announced its intention to incorporate the Council of Europe's conventions on artificial intelligence (AI) into Swiss law. This initiative aims to enhance the regulatory framework surrounding AI while ensuring that fundamental rights are protected. The government emphasized that any necessary legislative amendments should be as sector-specific as possible.
In its announcement, the Swiss government stated that general, cross-sector regulation would be limited to key areas relevant to fundamental rights, particularly data protection. Regulatory efforts will continue in specific sectors such as healthcare and transport, where tailored approaches are deemed necessary.
The overarching goal of this regulatory framework is to strengthen Switzerland's position as an innovation hub while safeguarding fundamental rights, including economic freedom. Additionally, the government aims to bolster public trust in AI technologies.
To facilitate this process, the Federal Department of Justice and Police, in collaboration with the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs and the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications, will prepare a consultation draft by the end of 2026. This draft will outline the legal measures required to implement the Council of Europe conventions, focusing on areas such as transparency, data protection, non-discrimination, and supervision.
In November 2023, the foreign ministry and the environment, transport, energy, and communications ministry presented various analyses regarding potential regulatory approaches on behalf of the government. The justice ministry was also involved in this work. These analyses assessed the implications of the Council of Europe’s AI Convention, provided an overview of existing and planned changes to federal law across various sectors, and examined regulatory developments in 20 selected countries.
The Council of Europe adopted the AI conventions in May 2023, aiming to regulate the use of AI in both public and private sectors, ensuring that ethical considerations and human rights are at the forefront of AI deployment.
Switzerland's commitment to adopting the Council of Europe’s AI conventions reflects its proactive approach to regulating emerging technologies while prioritizing fundamental rights and public trust. By focusing on sector-specific regulations and preparing a comprehensive consultation draft, the Swiss government aims to create a robust legal framework that supports innovation and addresses the challenges posed by AI.
