TLDR: Switzerland is hosting the ‘Swiss AI Weeks’ from September 1 to October 5, 2025, a nationwide initiative across 24 cities. Over 150 partner organizations will host more than 160 events to bring artificial intelligence into public dialogue, focusing on responsible development, ethical considerations, and practical applications, including the newly released open-source ‘Apertus’ large language model.
Switzerland is set to host a groundbreaking nationwide initiative, the ‘Swiss AI Weeks,’ from September 1 to October 5, 2025. This five-week program will transform artificial intelligence (AI) into a tangible experience for citizens across 24 cities, fostering public dialogue and encouraging responsible adoption of AI technologies. The initiative is a collaborative effort involving over 150 partner organizations from academia, industry, government, and civil society, making it one of the largest AI outreach programs ever organized in Switzerland.
The core purpose of the Swiss AI Weeks is to place AI at the heart of societal discussion, showcasing its vast potential while addressing ethical considerations and societal impact. The program aims to shape the future of AI ‘the Swiss way: transparent, open, and responsible.’
With more than 160 events planned, the initiative offers a diverse spectrum of activities, including workshops, expert panels, hackathons, and citizen dialogues, alongside easily accessible online formats. Participants will have the opportunity to learn practical skills, such as how to spot deepfakes, explore the essential skills needed for educators in an AI-driven era, and gain a deeper understanding of how modern large language models function. The focus is firmly on bridging expert knowledge with broad societal engagement in a transparent and inclusive manner.
A major highlight of the Swiss AI Weeks is the integration of ‘Apertus,’ Switzerland’s fully open multilingual large language model. Released in August 2025 by EPFL, ETH Zurich, and the Swiss National Supercomputing Centre (CSCS), Apertus will play a central role in many of the hackathons. These hackathons, featuring over 18 real-world challenges, are open to all skill levels and backgrounds, emphasizing human-centered and responsible AI solutions.
Pascale Vonmont, CEO of Gebert Rüf Stiftung, a main partner of the project, emphasized the societal relevance: “Artificial intelligence belongs in the middle of society. The Swiss AI Weeks combine cutting-edge research with real-world issues, encouraging dialogue and innovation that benefits both Switzerland and the world.” Christoph Birkholz of Panter AG, a co-initiator, added, “With Swiss AI Weeks, artificial intelligence has made the leap from research labs straight into the middle of society. It’s all about understanding AI and shaping its future together, the Swiss way: transparent, open, and responsible.”
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Events will be hosted in various cities, including Basel, Bern, Geneva, Lausanne, Lucerne, Lugano, and Zurich, among others. Key partners collaborating on this extensive program include the Federal Government, EPFL AI Center, ETH AI Center, Gebert Rüf Stiftung, Impact Hub, SRG SSR, Swiss Re, Swisscom, and UBS.
