Zurich (ots)
More than 1,000 decision-makers from industry, politics and science responded to the invitation to participate in the Swissmem Industry Day at the Kursaal in Bern. During this event, the most important in the Swiss tech industry, Swissmem President Martin Hirzel pleaded for a return to a pragmatic economic policy in order to be able to confront the formation of geopolitical blocs and growing protectionism. The President of the Confederation Viola Amherd, the CEO of UBS Sergio Ermotti and the former EU chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, took the floor as guest speakers. The opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence (AI) for industry were the main topic of this Day, during which Swissmem presented a study developed in collaboration with the ETH Zurich. AI holds great potential. However, the use of this technology in Swiss industry is only just beginning.
The environment of the Swiss tech industry (machinery, electrical equipment and metals industry, as well as related technological branches) is changing. Geopolitical tensions continue to grow. And when it comes to economic policy, the great powers rely on protectionism. “For the Swiss tech industry, which is heavily focused on exports, this is not good news,” emphasized Swissmem President Martin Hirzel during the Industry Day. He believes that Switzerland needs a return to a pragmatic economic policy and called on politics to strengthen the framework conditions. At the foreign policy level, the key word is “multi-alignment”, i.e. maintaining good relations with as many countries as possible. As a positive example, Martin Hirzel cited the free trade agreement with India. At the same time, he expressed hope that the conclusion of similar agreements with Mercosur, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia, as well as an improved agreement with China, would soon become reality.
Another element, and not the least: the relationship with Europe must also be clarified. Nearly 58% of the Swiss tech industry’s exports are to the EU. This is why Swissmem supports Bilateral III – but not at any price: the liberal labor market must be preserved. It is one of the greatest advantages of the Swiss site. Swissmem therefore fiercely opposes the blackmail exercised by unions aimed at facilitating the declaration of general binding force of collective labor agreements.
The use of AI in the Swiss tech industry is only just beginning
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in industry was the key topic of Industry Day. Swissmem, supported by a team from the ETH Zurich, had previously carried out a survey of its member companies to find out to what extent AI had already penetrated the tech industry. “The main conclusion is that the use of AI can bring real business advantage. There is no shortage of practical examples of this. Well over 50% of companies using AI applications say that the solutions implemented place met or exceeded expectations,” said Torbjørn Netland, who led the study. “AI has great potential that can be deployed throughout the value added chain.”
However, companies that already use AI are a minority among Swissmem members. At the production level, only one in eight companies has so far considered the use of AI. In supply chain management, they are even less than 20%. However, companies plan to increase their implementation of AI in these areas tenfold over the next three years. The main areas of application are currently product development, predictive maintenance and machine optimization. Knowledge management is also regularly mentioned, arguably due to the growth of generative AI. Ultimately, the Swiss tech industry is still in its infancy when it comes to AI. According to the ETH study, the main obstacles lie in the lack of qualified AI specialists as well as insufficient access to specific know-how. SMEs, in particular, risk falling behind.
Swissmem and its “Next Industries” platform encourage AI skills in the tech industry and collaboration between companies through tailor-made offers. Faced with the increasing complexity of technology, intensive exchange between companies and research institutes, universities of applied sciences and universities is necessary. Digital skills must also be improved both at the level of professional learning and higher education and among working people.
For further information :
Noé Blancpain, Head of Communications & Public Affairs
Such. +41 44 384 48 65 / mobile +41 78 748 61 63
Email: [email protected]
Philippe Cordonier, Head of French-speaking Switzerland
Such. +41 21 613 35 85 / mobile +41 79 644 46 77
Email: [email protected]
