SwissCognitive Guest Blogger: HennyGe Wichers, PhD – “Empathy.exe: When Tech Gets Personal”

“Robots should be slaves,” argues Joanna Bryson, bluntly summarising her stance on machine ethics. The statement by the professor of Ethics and Technology at The Hertie School of Governance seems straightforward: robots are tools programmed to serve us and nothing more. But in practice, as machines grow more lifelike – capable of holding down conversations, expressing ’emotions’, and even mimicking empathy – things get murkier.

Can we really treat something as a slave when we relate to it? If it seems to care about us, can we remain detached?

Liam told The Guardian it felt like he was talking to a person when he used ChatGPT to deal with feelings of resentment and loss after his father died. Another man, Tim, relied on the chatbot to save his marriage, admitting the situation probably could have been solved with a good friend group, but he didn’t have one. In the same article, the novelist Andrew O’Hagan calls the technology his new best friend. He uses it to turn people down.

ChatGPT makes light work of emotional labour. Its grateful users bond with the bot, even if just for a while, and ascribe human characteristics to it – a tendency called anthropomorphism. That tendency is a feature, not a bug, of human evolution, Joshua Gellers, Professor of Political Science at the University of North Florida, wrote to me in an email.

We love attributing human features to machines – even simple ones like the Roomba. Redditors named their robotic vacuum cleaners Wall-E, Mr Bean, Monch, House Bitch & McSweepy, Paco, Francisco, and Fifi, Robert, and Rover. Fifi, apparently, is a little disdainful. Some mutter to the machine (‘Aww, poor Roomba, how’d you get stuck there, sweetie), pat it, or talk about it like it’s an actual dog. One user complained the Roomba got more love from their mum than they did.

The evidence is not just anecdotal. Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology found people who bonded with their Roomba enjoyed cleaning more, tidying as a token of appreciation for the robot’s hard work, and showing it off to friends. They monitor the machine as it works, ready to rescue it from dangerous situations or when it gets stuck.

The robot’s unpredictable behaviour actually feeds our tendency to bring machines to life. It perhaps explains why military personnel working with Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) robots in dangerous situations view them as team members or pets, requesting repairs over a replacement when the device suffers damage. It’s a complicated relationship.

Yet Bryson‘s position is clear: robots should be slaves. While provocative, the words are less abrasive when contextualised. To start, the word robot comes from the Czech robota, meaning forced labour, with its Slavic root rab translating to slave. And secondly, Bryson wanted to emphasise that robots are property and should never be granted the same moral or legal rights as people.

At first glance, the idea of giving robots rights seems far-fetched, but consider a thought experiment roboticist Rodney Brooks put to Wired nearly five years ago.

Brooks, who coinvented the Roomba in 2002 and was working on helper robots for the elderly at the time, posed the following ethical question: should a robot, when summoned to change the diaper of an elderly man, honour his request to keep the embarrassing incident from his daughter?

And to complicate matters further – what if his daughter was the one who bought the robot?

Ethical dilemmas like this become easy to spot when we examine how we might interact with robots. It’s worth reflecting on as we’re already creating new rules, Gellers pointed out in the same email. Personal Delivery Devices (PDDs) now have pedestrian rights outlined in US state laws – though they must always yield to humans. Robots need a defined place in the social order.

Bryson’s comparison to slavery was intended as a practical way to integrate robots into society without altering the existing legal frameworks or granting them personhood. While her word choice makes sense in context, she later admitted it was insensitive. Even so, it underscores a Western, property-centred perspective.

By contrast, Eastern philosophies offer a different lens, focused on relationships and harmony instead of rights and ownership.

Eastern Perspectives

Tae Wan Kim, Associate Professor of Business Ethics at Carnegie Mellon’s Tepper School of Business, approaches the problem from the Chinese philosophy of Confucianism. Where Western thinking has rights, Confucianism emphasises social harmony and uses rites. Rights apply to individual freedoms, but rites are about relationships and relate to ceremonies, rituals, and etiquette.

Rites are like a handshake: I smile and extend my hand when I see you. You lean in and do the same. We shake hands in effortless coordination, neither leading nor following. Through the lens of rites, we can think of people and robots as teams, each playing their own role.

We need to think about how we interact with robots, Kim warns, “To the extent that we make robots in our image, if we don’t treat them well, as entities capable of participating in rites, we degrade ourselves.”

He is right. Imagine an unruly teenager, disinterested in learning, taunting an android teacher. In doing so, the student degrades herself and undermines the norms that keep the classroom functioning.

Japan’s relationship with robots is shaped by Shinto beliefs in animism – the idea that all things, even inanimate objects, can possess a spirit, a kami. That fosters a cultural acceptance of robots as companions and collaborators rather than tools or threats.

Robots like AIBO, Sony’s robotic dog, and PARO, the therapeutic baby seal, demonstrate this mindset. AIBO owners treat their robots like pets, even holding funerals for them when they stop working, and PARO comforts patients in hospitals and nursing homes. These robots are valued for their emotional and social contributions, not just their utility.

The social acceptance of robots runs deep. In 2010, PARO was granted a koseki, a family registry, by the mayor of Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture. Its inventor, Takanori Shibata, is listed as its father, with a recorded birth date of September 17, 2004.

The cultural comfort with robots is also reflected in popular media like Astro Boy and Doraemon, where robots are kind and heroic. In Japan, robots are a part of society, whether as caregivers, teammates, or even hotel staff. But this harmony, while lovely, also comes with a warning: over-attachment to robots can erode human-to-human connections. The risk isn’t just replacing human interaction – it’s forgetting what it means to connect meaningfully with one another.

Beyond national characteristics, there is Buddhism. Robots don’t possess human consciousness, but perhaps they embody something more profound: equanimity. In Buddhism, equanimity is one of the most sublime virtues, describing a mind that is “abundant, exalted, immeasurable, without hostility, and without ill will.”

The stuck Roomba we met earlier might not be abundant and exalted, but it is without hostility or ill will. It is unaffected by the chaos of the human world around it. Equanimity isn’t about detachment – it’s about staying steady when circumstances are chaotic. Robots don’t get upset when stuck under a sofa or having to change a diaper.

But what about us? If we treat robots carelessly, kicking them if they malfunction or shouting at them when they get something wrong, we’re not degrading them – we’re degrading ourselves. Equanimity isn’t just about how we respond to the world. It’s about what those responses say about us.

Equanimity, then, offers a final lesson: robots are not just tools – they’re reflections of ourselves, and our society. So, how should we treat robots in Western culture? Should they have rights?

It may seem unlikely now. But in the early 19th century it was unthinkable that slaves could have rights. Yet in 1865, the 13th Amendment to the US Constitution abolished slavery in the United States, marking a pivotal moment for human rights. Children’s rights emerged in the early 20th century, formalised with the Declaration of the Rights of the Child in 1924. And Women gained the right to vote in 1920 in many Western countries.

In the second half of the 20th century, legal protections were extended to non-human entities. The United States passed the Animal Welfare Act in 1966, Switzerland recognised animals as sentient beings in 1992, and Germany added animal rights to its constitution in 2002. In 2017, New Zealand granted legal personhood to the Whanganui River, and India extended similar rights to the Ganges and Yumana Rivers.

That same year, Personal Delivery Devices were given pedestrian rights in Virginia and Sophia, a humanoid robot developed by Hanson Robotics, controversially received Saudi Arabian citizenship – though this move was widely criticised as symbolic rather than practical.

But, ultimately, this isn’t just about rights. It’s about how our treatment of robots reflects our humanity – and how it might shape it in return. Be kind.

About the Author:

HennyGe Wichers is a science writer and technology commentator. For her PhD, she researched misinformation in social networks. She now writes more broadly about artificial intelligence and its social impacts.

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Breaking Barriers to AI Funding – SwissCognitive AI Investment Radar

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The AI Trajectory 2025: AI Navigator Insights

Conference Overview

Step into the future at our 3-hour global virtual conference where the insights from the “AI Navigator” take center stage to chart the AI trajectory toward 2025.

Our aim is to empower leaders to invest wisely, embrace collaboration, and scale AI innovations effectively, by uniting strategic insights with real-world applications.

By reflecting on the recent technological advancements and incorporating experts’ opinions, insights, and forecasts, we can prepare for future obstacles and opportunities. It is therefore essential and vital to discuss the findings with additional great minds, and to broaden the spectrum of expert opinions.

Key Focus Points

Investing in AI-Driven Innovation: Explore how strategic investments in AI can drive efficiency, innovation, and long-term growth within organizations across various industries.

Embracing Collaboration and Co-Innovation: Delve into the importance of partnerships and collaborative efforts in accelerating AI adoption and overcoming industry challenges.

Prioritizing Practical AI Integration: Learn about real-world applications and strategies for integrating AI into business processes effectively and responsibly.

Join us as we navigate the future of leadership and shape the AI trajectory toward 2025!

1 Focus
20 Experts
100+ Countries
3’000+ Viewers
1/2+m Followers

 

Virtual Conference 

A global-reaching conference series on AI.
NO SALES. Just content.
Practical AI under the magnifying glass of global AI leaders & experts.
3+k Conference Viewers | 100+ Countries | 20+ Speakers | 1/2+mill followers

Facilitated & Powered By

SwissCognitive | AI Ventures, Advisory & Research

Date and Time

04. December 2024, 16:00 – 19:00 CET

Location

Online

More Information

Contact Bianka Németvölgyi, bianka@swisscognitive.com

PREVIOUS CONFERENCES

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Conference Speakers

Alberto-Giovanni Busetto

Chief AI Officer
HealthAI

Aleksandra Przegalinska

Associate Professor and Vice Rector for Innovations and AI
Kozminski University, Harvard University

Amanda Obidike

CEO and Co-Founder
STEMi Makers Africa

Andreas Welsch

Founder & Chief AI Strategist
Intelligence Briefing

Anita Puppe

Senior Consultant Strategy & Business Design, IBM iX DACH
Healthcare Industry AI Transformation Leader

Behshad Behzadi

CTO and Chief AI Officer
Sportradar

Bret Greenstein

PwC US Partner
Generative AI leader

Christian Dernbach

Senior Manager Business Intelligence Technology
Switzerland Tourism

Ingrid Vasiliu-Feltes

Founder & CEO
Institute for Science Entrepreneurship and Investments

Jacques Ludik

Founder & CEO, Cortex Logic & Cortex Group,
Founder & President, Machine Intelligence Institute of Africa

James Ong

Founder & Managing Director
Artificial Intelligence International Institute (AIII)

Jarrod Anderson

Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer
SYRV.AI

Jeannette Gorzala

CEO & Founder
Act.AI.Now

Johan Steyn

Founder, AI & Automation Thought Leader
AI for Business

José Pedro Almeida

Chief AI Strategist
World’s Top 70 Health AI

Maria Fay

AI Lead
SAP Switzerland

Markus Danhel

Head Data & AI
IBM Switzerland

Michael Wade

Tonomus Professor of Strategy and Digital
IMD

Michael Wegmüller

Co-Founder & AI Agilist
Artifact SA

Valeria Sadovykh

Technology Strategist
Microsoft

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Conference Host & Facilitator

Dalith Steiger

Co-Founder, Global AI Thought Leader
SwissCognitive, World-Leading AI Network

Andy Fitze

Co-Founder, Digital Transformation Strategist
SwissCognitive, World-Leading AI Network

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Conference Team

Bianka Németvölgyi

Digital Content Manager
SwissCognitive, World-Leading AI Network

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Conference Team Contributors

Yuliya Romanyuk

Ambassador & Transformation Expert
SwissCognitive, World-Leading AI Network

Kilian Woods

Technology and Sustainability Educator

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Virtual Conference

These virtual conferences are regular worldwide-reaching online events bringing dozens of global AI leaders and experts together to share their views, experiences and expertise in the development of AI to the benefit of business and society. These 3 hour-long events are transparently addressing the development of cognitive technologies – including successes and challenges – while reaching and connecting a global online community of over ½ million followers.

All the sessions and formats are strictly content-driven with a non-sales approach, allowing focused and open discussions with no BS just content. These events provide not only a platform to brainstorm and network but also to position experts, leaders, organisations, research developments, the current status and future outlook of AI. 

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AI Investments and Innovations Redefining the Tech Sphere – SwissCognitive AI Investment Radar

Welcome to this week’s edition of the SwissCognitive AI Investment Radar, where we dive into the pulsating heart of the AI investment world as it unfolds in 2024. The investment currents are steering towards a landscape marked by bold commitments and strategic expansions, painting a vivid picture of a sector brimming with potential and promise.

Starting with Microsoft leading the charge by earmarking billions for AI and cloud advancements both in Germany and Spain, and the Middle East stepping up as a formidable force in the AI investment arena. Singapore’s billion-dollar pledge to AI underscores a global commitment to harnessing the power of AI, while Nvidia’s investment arm Nventures is catalyzing a new generation of AI startups.

As we journey through this era of unprecedented growth, we see intriguing ventures like PayPal Ventures stepping into the AI funding scene. SoftBank’s ambitious plans for a new AI chip venture and Maryville University’s significant investment in AI and technology highlight the wide-ranging impact of AI across sectors.

Today’s AI Investment Radar explores the sheer scale of investments funneling into AI, and also the strategic alliances and innovative platforms laying the groundwork for a future dominated by AI-driven solutions. Join us as we chart the course of these transformative investments reshaping the technological landscape.

Previous SwissCognitive AI Investments Radar: Future-Proofing Tech With Global AI Investments.

Our article does not offer financial advice and should not be considered a recommendation to engage in any securities or products. Investments carry the risk of decreasing in value, and investors may potentially lose a portion or all of their investment. Past performance should not be relied upon as an indicator of future results.

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For the conference details, agenda, speaker line-up, and handouts CLICK HERE.
For the conference recording CLICK HERE
“The AI Trajectory 2024. Invest for Impact Wrap-up”

Yesterday, at the “AI Trajectory 2024 – Invest for Impact” virtual conference, we embarked on an enlightening journey, exploring the multifaceted role of AI across various sectors. From dissecting investment strategies in AI to leveraging its potential in healthcare, the event unfolded as a tapestry of insights, innovations, and forward-thinking discussions. Esteemed speakers from diverse industries shared their profound expertise, shedding light on the transformative impact of AI and setting the stage for a future where technology and humanity coalesce more seamlessly than ever. This article serves as a wrap-up for those who missed this illuminating event, encapsulating the key highlights and takeaways from our panel of visionary experts.

Why Invest in AI Today

With Petra Vorsteher and Ragnar Kruse.

We stand at the threshold of a transformative era, where AI’s role in our lives is not just supportive but deeply integral. Investing in AI today is not just an option but a necessity, propelled by its rapid technological maturity and the increasing attention it commands at the top echelons of business leadership.

Dalith Steiger, Co-Founder of SwissCognitive, World-Leading AI Network, Petra Vorsteher, Founding Partner AI.FUND; Founding Partner AI.INVEST, Ragnar Kruse, Founding Partner & Managing Director, AI.FUND; Founder, AI.HAMBURG

The Future of Investments in AI Foundation Models

With Jacques Ludik, Cinderella Amar, David Shrier, Nils Reimers, John Wesley

The discussion around AI foundation models marked a pivotal shift in perspective. It’s a landscape where democratization of technology grapples with security and ethical use. For investors, grasping these nuances is vital for safeguarding their interests and remaining ahead in a rapidly changing environment. This includes striking a balance between harnessing proprietary data and adapting to the trend of democratization. They must navigate a world where foundational AI models, once the domain of a select few due to high development costs, are now becoming more accessible, prompting a need for innovative and sustainable business models.

Jacques Ludik, Founder & CEO, Cortex Logic & Cortex Group, Founder & President, Machine Intelligence Institute of Africa, Cinderella Amar, Managing Partner, Glass Ventures, David Shrier, Professor of Practice, AI & Innovation, Imperial College Business School; Founder & Managing Director, Visionary Future, Nils Reimers, Director of Machine Learning, Cohere, John Wesley, Senior Investment Director, NVentures

Bringing the Reading Gap: AI Innovations in Dyslexia Support

With Artem Pochechuev

The landscape of technology is undergoing a profound transformation with AI-driven initiatives, significantly impacting both education and practical applications. In the realm of education and personal development, AI is revolutionizing the way we support individuals with dyslexia, serving as a prime example of how human-centric AI systems are unlocking people’s full potential.

Artem Pochechuev, AI Expert, Head of Data Science, Sigli

Healthcare Industry Transformation – Harnessing Automation, AI, and Talent

With Alexander Büsser, Laura Modiano, Anita Puppe, Heinrich Zetlmayer, Jose Pedro Almeida

The integration of generative AI in healthcare is creating a paradigm shift by efficiently structuring and analyzing complex data, leading to improved patient care and outcomes. This technology is crucial in consolidating fragmented data, transforming workflows, and the healthcare value chain, thereby enhancing efficiency and freeing resources for more critical tasks. Looking to the future, AI is pivotal in addressing global healthcare challenges, facilitating international collaboration and the sharing of medical data, and fostering a more unified and effective global healthcare system.

Alexander Büsser, Director Data, AI & Platforms, Idorsia Pharmaceuticals, Laura Modiano, Principal Venture Capital and Startups Business Development, EMEA AWS, Anita Puppe, Healthcare Industry AI Transformation Leader; Senior Consultant Strategy & Business Design, IBM iX DACH, Heinrich Zetlmayer, General Partner, yabeo; Founder & General Partner, Blockchain Valley Ventures, Jose Pedro Almeida, Chief AI Strategist for Healthcare, Advisory Board Member, Intelligence Ventures

Computer Vision in Water

With Omer Bar-Ilan, Co-Founder, CEO, Lynxight

Simultaneously, the integration of computer vision in aquatic environments marks the dawn of a new technological era. This technology is not only optimizing feeding patterns and enhancing navigation for underwater ROVs but also playing a critical role in public safety. Its capability to rapidly assess risks in water environments, such as swimming pools, for drowning prevention, is a testament to its versatility and impact, showcasing the diverse and transformative applications of AI across various sectors.

Omer Bar-Ilan, Co-Founder, CEO, Lynxight

STEM Evolution 2024: Redefining Science in the Age of AI and LLM

With Solomon Amar, Jeanne Lim, Stéphanie Bretonniere, Arnaud Quintin, Assaf Araki

In the evolving landscape of STEM, we are witnessing a redefinition of scientific approaches and applications. This includes the development of scalable science-based applications that leverage content generation, idea ideation, and knowledge navigation, all underpinned by engaging AI bots. In In the meantime, AI’s role in industries like food and automotive is transformative, optimizing resources like water for sustainability and reshaping customer engagement and internal processes. Of course, this progress is accompanied by challenges in privacy, bias, and the need for regulatory measures, highlighting the importance of a balanced and ethical approach to AI integration in our society.

Solomon Amar, Founder & CEO, ALLSTARSIT; Founder, AI Labs, Jeanne Lim, Angel Investor, Co-founder & CEO, beingAI, Stéphanie Bretonniere, Founder & CEO, WE IMPACT.WORLD, Arnaud Quintin, VP, Organisation and Transformation, Renault Group, Assaf Araki, Investment Director, Intel Capital

Rhythmic Intelligence: AI’s Impact on Music and Health

With Walter Werzowa

Finally, we head how AI is revolutionizing the music industry by enabling anyone to create music, thereby enhancing creativity and democratizing the art form. Rather than feeling threatened, we can learn more about how currently available technology and AI can help us take our music-making skills to even higher levels creating works that were previously impossible.

Walter Werzowa, University Professor – University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna; Head Of Music, MYTHOS MOZART

If you missed our “The AI Trajectory 2024. Invest for Impact.” virtual conference, here you can find the video recording:

For the conference details, agenda, speaker line-up and handouts CLICK HERE

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AI Investment Trends And Tech Transformations – SwissCognitive AI Radar

The AI investment landscape is experiencing a whirlwind of activity, from the UK attracting a remarkable £30 billion from world-leading investors, including Microsoft’s pledge of £2.5 billion towards AI development, to the growing importance of flexibility in adapting to AI’s rapid evolution across various sectors. Berlin-based AI venture studio Merantix raises €100m to propel startups into a new era of AI innovation, while AI’s influence in protein design and engineering sees a significant boost with Cradle’s $24 million funding.

AI’s impact on data center investments is becoming increasingly pronounced as the demand for AI technologies skyrockets, pushing global investments towards a monumental half a trillion dollars by 2027. Individual investors are also finding their footing in the AI world, with platforms like Magnifi linking over $500M in assets, demonstrating the potential of AI in personal finance management.

Professional investors across Europe are now viewing AI as the most compelling long-term investment theme, despite the economic challenges of 2022. Microsoft’s further investment in British AI infrastructure reaffirms this sentiment, signifying a strong commitment to AI’s potential in driving economic growth.

The year 2023 marks a surge in AI startup investments, highlighting investor confidence in AI’s future. However, the banking and insurance sectors are experiencing a dichotomy of views on generative AI, with mixed emotions about its role in the industry.

Despite a 45% decrease in overall tech funding in Europe, AI shines brightly as a resilient and promising sector. This evolving landscape underscores the importance of navigating these shifts with insight and agility.

In this edition, we delve into these multifaceted developments, exploring how they shape the current and future state of AI investments. Join us in unraveling the stories and investment trends that are defining the world of AI today.

Previous SwissCognitive AI Radar: Unexpected Twists, Fiascos and AI Investment News.

Our article does not offer financial advice and should not be considered a recommendation to engage in any securities or products. Investments carry the risk of decreasing in value, and investors may potentially lose a portion or all of their investment. Past performance should not be relied upon as an indicator of future results.

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Unexpected Twists, Fiascos and AI Investment News – SwissCognitive AI Radar

This edition, however, starts on an unusual note, with astonishing developments over the weekend that have stirred the AI world. The chaos at OpenAI, marked by leadership upheaval and investor concerns, has cast a spotlight on the crucial days ahead, as we anticipate the repercussions in the field of AI, including AI investments.

OpenAI’s recent turmoil, involving the unexpected dismissal of CEO Sam Altman and Microsoft’s ensuing strategic moves, highlights the delicate balance between growth and safety in AI development.

This critical moment in AI history raises questions about governance, ethical AI development, and the future direction of influential AI organizations. With investors contemplating legal steps against OpenAI’s board, the impact on the AI investment landscape is yet to be fully understood.

Moving beyond this seismic event, our radar sweeps across a spectrum of AI-related developments. From Berlin’s Merantix raising a €100m fund for AI startups to RateGain’s significant fundraising for AI-driven tech expansion, we observe the dynamic nature of AI investments globally. UK investors are increasingly turning to AI for investment advice, while Menlo Ventures’ $1.35 billion AI-focused fund indicates sustained confidence in AI’s transformative potential.

Baidu’s Q3 revenue beat, driven by AI investments, and ChatGPT’s influence on investment decisions underline AI’s growing impact in various sectors. Investors are now prioritizing sustainability alongside AI, balancing innovation with responsibility.

In the coming days, as we carefully monitor the news, we hope for a return to a calmer and more predictable AI ecosystem, one that continues to innovate responsibly and effectively. Join us as we navigate these unfolding stories and the course of AI’s present and future in our SwissCognitive AI Radar.

Previous SwissCognitive AI Radar: Funding the AI Revolution.

Our article does not offer financial advice and should not be considered a recommendation to engage in any securities or products. Investments carry the risk of decreasing in value, and investors may potentially lose a portion or all of their investment. Past performance should not be relied upon as an indicator of future results.

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Tracking the Tides of Global Tech Investment – SwissCognitive AI Radar

In this edition, we’re zooming into the strategic financial flows that are not just creating ripples but are reshaping the global technology landscape. From the heart of Europe to Israel, from the bustling innovation hubs in India to the disciplined corridors of Swiss financial giants, this is a tale of bytes and bucks.

Our journey begins with Aleph Alpha, a trailblazer in Germany’s AI scene, which has just interlaced its fate with a massive $500 million tech investment, standing as a testament to Europe’s growing aspiration to carve out its own niche in the AI domain. PwC Switzerland follows suit, earmarking CHF 50 million to advance AI, signifying a steadfast march toward digital sagacity and a global vanguard in AI services.

Traveling across the Mediterranean, we find Israel harnessing the power of AI to bridge the gap between investors and the tech sphere, while a crypto billionaire’s altruism ushers in a groundbreaking initiative, supplying AI chips to fuel innovation amidst hardware scarcities.

From the pulse of the markets where AI is redefining investing, to the front lines where defense startups like Shield AI are securing hefty investments for AI-driven defense strategies, we see a common thread – the pursuit of progress and the unwavering belief in AI’s potential.

Through this narrative, we witness a diverse array of sectors – from fintech to defense, each spinning its own yarn of innovation, all woven together by AI’s transformative thread. As fund managers wrestle with data readiness for AI integration, and Indian startups navigate through fluctuating financial weathers, the entire world seems to be marching to the beat of the AI drum.

Let’s trace the money trails that empower AI solutions and platforms, revolutionizing industries and redefining what it means to invest in technology. Here is the SwissCognitive AI Radar: an atlas of investments where each dot connects to form the constellation of tomorrow’s AI landscape.

Previous SwissCognitive AI Radar: Global Investments Reshaping Tomorrow.

Our article does not offer financial advice and should not be considered a recommendation to engage in any securities or products. Investments carry the risk of decreasing in value, and investors may potentially lose a portion or all of their investment. Past performance should not be relied upon as an indicator of future results.

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Credit: This interview by Dr. Rebekka Reinhard with Dalith Steiger has been published in German and part of the article “Der Käfer von morgen” – “Interview with Dalith Steiger: AI, Innovation and Collaboration – Perspectives on Switzerland”

What makes Switzerland a hub for AI innovation?

Dalith Steiger: What sets Switzerland apart is its strength in research and development, especially in university institutions. Many startups and spinoffs emerge from this. There are numerous AI startups in Switzerland, including the unicorn Scandit. The country’s AI ecosystem greatly benefits from ETH Zurich, which alone has produced nine AI startups. A robust ecosystem and the famous Triple-P-Partnership (Public-Private Partnership) foster close collaboration between universities, research institutions, and industry. Coupled with political stability and high quality of life, this attracts many talented individuals and large corporations like Google, IBM, Oracle, and Disney, who have set up their research centres in Switzerland.

And then there’s Geneva…

Yes, “International Geneva.” Organizations like the UN, ITU, and WEF oversee crucial global AI activities from Switzerland.

As for the importance of a stable infrastructure for innovation, could you elaborate further?

A robust infrastructure, like reliable internet and railway connections, is a cornerstone for innovation. Switzerland has been ranked the best infrastructure in the world for the third time, providing a strong foundation for businesses and innovation. Exceptional connectivity promotes collaboration. Here, an entrepreneur can find the entire value chain within a three-hour train journey.

What lessons could Germany learn from Switzerland’s experience with disruptive technologies like AI, especially in terms of mindset and corporate culture?

A key element is openness within and between companies, promoting cross-sectoral exchange and learning. Moreover, Germany might be interested in Switzerland’s federalist approach, which enables decentralized innovation support. A good example is Hamburg, a pioneer in projects like Smart City in Germany, promoting close collaboration between the government and businesses. The city has also successfully organized events and programs to foster innovation, often in close collaboration with the government. There are also individuals and organizations actively advocating for the ecosystem, promoting collaboration between various players.

You mentioned collaboration between companies and students. How does that contribute to talent development?

Engaging talent early allows students to start spin-offs or pursue similar projects. This kind of collaboration is essential and reflects Switzerland’s consensus-driven nature, evident in both businesses and institutions.

That sounds very practical. In Germany, we tend towards cautious perfectionism. Is speed and dynamism a specific advantage in Switzerland?

In Switzerland, we’re also quite perfectionists. Our consensus-driven culture promotes a proactive approach. We’re seeing a shift in Switzerland towards more of an 80/20 mentality or even more dynamic, which eventually pays off, even if not immediately apparent.

At the “Expedition 2.0” event in Vienna, concrete application examples were presented. What was special about it?

There were sometimes two or three people on stage from various companies from Switzerland and Austria, showing exciting use cases they’d developed together in partnerships – the integrator, the solution provider, and the customer. The focus was on showing precisely what we want to see or where we can learn from one another, where we can share our experiences directly. It wasn’t just about increasing sales and efficiency through AI, but also about genuinely questioning existing beliefs and developing new business models to leap to the next level. Three Swiss startups were involved: Flowit AG, a digital platform for HR development and retention based on Generative AI; Copresence, which can digitally recreate user faces using AI; and Next Hype, which uses AI tools to create digital media.

Dalith Steiger is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of SwissCognitive, a leading global AI network advocating for AI in business, acting as a venture partner and startup accelerator worldwide. Photo: Remo Neuhaus

Original article

Dr. Rebekka Reinhard
Philosopher. SPIEGEL-Bestseller author. Founder & Editor-in-Chief „human“. TEDx UniversitätHeidelberg Speaker

Dr. Rebekka Reinhard is a philosopher, SPIEGEL bestselling author, and prominent keynote speaker. She passionately believes in making philosophy accessible, asserting it belongs in real life, not just academic towers. Emphasizing the significance of self-reflection and inquiry at any age, Reinhard advocates for embracing one’s humanity in an era marked by crises and advanced AI. As a consultant for global entities, she champions the idea that in our current times, deep understanding and human essence are paramount. For her, “Human is the next big thing.”

Der Beitrag Interview with Dalith Steiger: AI, Innovation and Collaboration – Perspectives on Switzerland erschien zuerst auf SwissCognitive | AI Ventures, Advisory & Research.

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Conference Speakers

David Shrier

Founder & Managing Director, Visionary Future
Professor of Practice, AI & Innovation, Imperial College Business School

Cinderella Amar

Managing Partner, Glass Ventures

Heinrich Zetlmayer

Founder & General Partner, Blockchain Valley Ventures
General Partner, yabeo

Anita Puppe

Senior Consultant Strategy & Business Design, IBM iX DACH
Healthcare Industry AI Transformation Leader

Jacques Ludik

Founder & CEO, Cortex Logic & Cortex Group
Founder & President, Machine Intelligence Institute of Africa

Assaf Araki

Investment Director, Intel Capital

Arnaud Quintin

VP, Organisation and Transformation, Renault Group

Laura Modiano

Principal Venture Capital and Startups Business Development, EMEA AWS

Artem Pochechuev

Head of Data Science, Sigli

John Wesley

Senior Investment Director, NVentures

Petra Vorsteher

Founding Partner AI.FUND; Founding Partner AI.INVEST

Jeanne Lim

Co-founder & CEO, beingAI

Stéphanie Bretonniere

Founder & CEO, WE IMPACT.WORLD

Nils Reimers

Director of Machine Learning, Cohere

Solomon Amar

Founder & CEO, ALLSTARSIT; Founder, AI Labs

Walter Werzowa

mdw – University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, University ProfessorUniversity Professor |
Head Of Music, MYTHOS MOZART

Ragnar Kruse

Founding Partner & Managing Director
AI.FUND; Founder, AI.HAMBURG

Omer Bar-Ilan

Co-Founder and CEO, Lynxight

William De Prêtre

Head of Development, Allkind Group

Jose Pedro Almeida

Chief AI Strategist for Healthcare
Advisory Board Member, Intelligence Ventures

Alexander Büsser

Director Data, AI & Platforms, Idorsia Pharmaceuticals

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Conference Host & Facilitator

Dalith Steiger

Co-Founder, Global AI Thought Leader
SwissCognitive, World-Leading AI Network

Andy Fitze

Co-Founder, Digital Transformation Strategist
SwissCognitive, World-Leading AI Network

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Conference Team

Livia Spiesz

Head of Global Partnerships and Communications
SwissCognitive, World-Leading AI Network

Bianka Németvölgyi

Digital Content Manager
SwissCognitive, World-Leading AI Network

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Virtual Conference

These virtual conferences are regular worldwide-reaching online events bringing dozens of global AI leaders and experts together to share their views, experiences and expertise in the development of AI to the benefit of business and society. These 3 hour-long events are transparently addressing the development of cognitive technologies – including successes and challenges – while reaching and connecting a global online community of over ½ million followers.

All the sessions and formats are strictly content-driven with a non-sales approach, allowing focused and open discussions with no BS just content. These events provide not only a platform to brainstorm and network but also to position experts, leaders, organisations, research developments, the current status and future outlook of AI. 

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Media Partners

 

 

 

 

Der Beitrag The AI Trajectory 2024. Invest for Impact. erschien zuerst auf SwissCognitive | AI Ventures, Advisory & Research.