In November 2024, the Greater Zurich Area made global headlines. Several top AI companies announced new regional offices. One of the most respected AI companies worldwide, Anthropic, chose Zurich as one of its key European hubs. We spoke with their team about research culture, talent, lakeside bike rides, and the unexpected places where you just might bump into world-class AI minds.
Founded in 2021 by Dario and Daniela Amodei, Anthropic focuses on building reliable and safe AI systems. Their cutting-edge Claude models compete with the likes of OpenAI's ChatGPT. The company has raised over $17 billion, with significant investments from Google and Amazon, and remains independent and structured as a public benefit corporation with a mission to develop AI for the benefit of humanity.
Shortly after opening the Zurich office, Anthropic named Neil Houlsby to lead the site. Neil, a seasoned AI researcher who previously worked at Google DeepMind, has called the Zurich region home for over ten years. Known in the field for his contributions to machine learning and computer vision, Neil is calm, thoughtful, and humble in person.
"I see myself as a humble researcher," he told us. "I've been lucky to work with great people on interesting problems throughout my career. This is a period of transformational progress in AI. Building out Anthropic’s team of researchers in Zurich is a hugely exciting challenge." His academic record speaks for itself. He's published widely and collaborated with leading labs. But titles matter little to him. What matters is being in the right environment. That's why the Greater Zurich Area appeals to him so much. "This region is home to that one percent of people who drive excellence in their field," Neil said.
"You can meet AI researchers over a beer - as long as you're near ETH Zurich." He values the unique mix of talent, academic strength, and quality of life. "I love the outdoor lifestyle. Cycling around the lake of Zurich is one of my favorite things."
Anthropic's team in Zurich is now hiring. The focus will be on advancing large-scale AI models' safe and responsible development. The bar is high: candidates are expected to have strong research experience, technical depth, and a passion for the social impact of their work. International applicants can apply and may qualify for visa support.
Anthropic's decision to invest in the Greater Zurich Area is part of a more significant trend. Google and AWS are major players in the region, and top universities like ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich have a strong talent pipeline. AWS is also a key infrastructure provider for AI research and development.
The region's AI boom is not accidental. Switzerland's thoughtful approach to regulation, world-class education system, and quality of life have created a fertile ground for AI growth. Experts see this as a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the Greater Zurich Area to become a true AI hub.
As Neil puts it: "There's a great mix of global companies, strong startups, and top research. It's the kind of place where big ideas can grow."
Meet with an expansion expert
Our services are free of charge and include:
- Introduction to key contacts in industry, academia, and government
- Advice on regulatory framework, taxes, labor, market, and setting up a company
- Custom-made fact-finding visits, including office and co-working space