The Zurich AI Festival is jointly initiated by the ETH AI Center and Greater Zurich Area Ltd, with support from the Office for Economy,Canton of Zurich and Zurich Tourism. Unlike commercially driven tech gatherings, the Zurich AI Festival positions itself as an open, inclusive, and critically minded platform, where the direction of AI is shaped through dialogue across disciplines and sectors.
“The idea for the Zurich AI Festival was born out of a shared recognition: Greater Zurich’s tech ecosystem has the ingredients to lead globally in AI—cutting-edge research, strong startups, corporate engagement, and public trust—but it needed a platform to bring all of that energy together,” said Valeria Bella, Event Manager at the ETH AI Center and co-initiator of the festival.
Indeed, the festival is not simply about showcasing Zurich’s technological assets, but about reframing how AI is developed and debated. For the ETH AI Center, this meant rethinking their own event strategy. Previously organisers of the focused AI+X Summit, the Center has now expanded its vision into a decentralised, week-long celebration of AI. The 2025 edition is only the beginning, with organisers already laying plans for international scaling in the coming years.
A Deep Ecosystem, Not a Shallow Showcase
Zurich’s credentials as an AI and technology hub are not new. Home to ETH Zurich, consistently ranked among the world’s top technical universities, the region combines academic excellence, high innovation output, and political and economic stability. But it is the density and interconnectedness of Zurich’s ecosystem that gives it a particular edge.
“Greater Zurich is home to one of the world’s top universities, which consistently attracts some of the brightest minds globally. Add to that a dense network of research institutions, high-performing startups, and global tech players… and you get a unique concentration of talent, ambition, and excellence,” explains Sabine Müller, Deputy Managing Director, Greater Zurich Area Ltd.
AI+X Summit 2024 ©Bo Yann
This is not merely rhetoric. According to a recent study by Greater Zurich Area, the region boasts one of the highest densities of big tech companies outside Silicon Valley, from Google and IBM to an expanding network of AI and robotics firms. This critical mass of activity makes Zurich not just a source of innovation, but a node of convergence.
What makes the Zurich AI Festival notable, however, is its insistence on inclusivity and dialogue. The festival is deliberately multidisciplinary and participatory: scientists, founders, creatives, policymakers, and citizens are all part of the conversation.
“Together with our partner Greater Zurich Area Ltd, we envisioned an open, region-wide festival where innovation could be experienced, discussed, and shaped by everyone… It’s not just that Zurich hosts leading minds; it enables them to work together,” states Valeria Bella.
From Event to Ecosystem
In contrast to traditional conferences often housed within a single venue, the Zurich AI Festival will unfold across the city. Events are expected to take place in academic halls, cultural institutions, public spaces, and corporate campuses. This distributed format is as symbolic as it is practical: it reflects a commitment to embed AI discourse into the urban fabric, making it accessible and tangible for diverse publics.
The festival will include expert panels, interactive exhibitions, startup showcases, and educational activities, catering to both professional and general audiences. A key emphasis will be on human-centered and evidence-based approaches to AI development, aligned with Switzerland’s broader policy orientation on digital responsibility.
“We hope that the Zurich AI Festival becomes more than a moment… We aim for the legacy of this festival to set a new standard for how AI is developed: human-centered, evidence-based, and grounded in shared responsibility,” conclude Sabine and Valeria jointly.
Strategic Implications & Global Positioning
While Zurich is already internationally recognised for finance, precision engineering, and life sciences, the Zurich AI Festival signals a clear intention to position the region —and Switzerland more broadly—as a leader in shaping AI policy and practice. The involvement of local government and tourism officials suggests a recognition that digital transformation is not just a sectoral concern but a civic challenge.
The festival also comes at a time when the governance of AI is under intense international scrutiny. By fostering a space for critical dialogue, Zurich is contributing to an emerging narrative where cities—and not only states or corporations—have a role to play in shaping the digital commons.
To organise your next conference in Zurich, contact Zurich Convention Bureau here.
