From September 29 to October 4, Zurich will become the gathering place for the global AI community. With the first Zurich AI Festival, the city and canton of Zurich are introducing an international-scale event on par with TechWeek in London, Robotics Week in Boston, VivaTech in Paris, and SusHi Tech in Tokyo. For one week, innovation, responsibility, and dialogue on the future of artificial intelligence will take center stage.
Zurich among the world’s AI elite
In recent years, Zurich has established itself as a leading hub for AI. With a strong research landscape, excellent universities, and a dynamic startup ecosystem, the region now ranks among the top leagues. The numbers speak for themselves: According to the recently published Swiss Deep Tech Report 2025, Swiss deep-tech companies have already created more than USD 100 billion in company value. On a per capita basis, Switzerland ranks first in Europe and third globally for VC investments.
“The Zurich economic region is clearly positioning itself at the international forefront with the Zurich AI Festival. Here, innovation, top-level research, and economic strength come together. We are demonstrating that the region not only keeps pace internationally, but aims to be in the spotlight,” says Sabine Müller, Deputy Managing Director of Greater Zurich Area AG and co-initiator of the festival.
AI+X Summit as the scientific centerpiece
A major highlight is the AI+X Summit, scheduled for October 2, organized by ETH Zurich in collaboration with ZHAW and the University of Zurich. The summit has established an excellent international reputation, bringing together top academic AI talent and creating a platform for networking, exchange, and inspiration – a reflection of Zurich’s scientific strength and attractiveness.
“Technological progress is transforming our society faster than ever,” emphasizes Alexander Ilic, Executive Director of the ETH AI Center. “With the Zurich AI Festival, we’re sending a clear signal in favor of responsible AI – developed not behind closed doors, but through open, transparent dialogue in service of society.”
Responsible AI at the core
The central theme of the Zurich AI Festival is Responsible AI – an area gaining international importance. Switzerland plays an active role in this regard, with numerous initiatives demonstrating how ethical considerations can be effectively integrated with technological excellence. This is especially evident when foundational research is translated into practical applications and when dialogue between science and practice is successful.
A festival for everyone – accessible, interdisciplinary, future-focused
With more than 5,000 expected visitors, the Zurich AI Festival will be the region’s largest and most public platform on artificial intelligence to date. In addition to expert conferences and panels, there will be public formats, workshops, and exhibitions (such as live demos, “Code in Motion,” and performance art with humanoid robots) exploring new ideas and applications of generative AI.
“The canton of Zurich is a leading AI hotspot. All the more important that we bring everyone along on the journey – and engage in discussion about the opportunities and risks of artificial intelligence,” says Carmen Walker Späh, Head of the Department for Economic Affairs of the Canton of Zurich.
The Zurich AI Festival, led by the ETH AI Center and the Greater Zurich Area AG (GZA), positions itself as an independent and international platform for exchange and reflection. Co-founders include the Canton of Zurich and Zurich Tourism, with support from organizations such as AWS, Deep Tech Nation Switzerland, SICTIC, Swiss Data Science Center, Balgrist University Hospital, Kellerhals Carrard, Creative AI Foundation, and many more regional partners.
All leading universities in the region – including ETH Zurich, University of Zurich, and ZHAW – are actively involved and contribute their own initiatives. The festival thus serves not only as a meeting point for decision-makers and innovators but also as a magnet for today’s and tomorrow’s top talent.
Never before has Zurich’s AI ecosystem been as accessible and tangible as it will be in the fall of 2025.
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About Greater Zurich Area AG
Greater Zurich Area AG (GZA) is the official investment promotion agency for the Zurich economic region. In close collaboration with the cantons of Zurich, Zug, Schwyz, Graubünden, Glarus, Schaffhausen, Solothurn, Uri, Ticino, as well as the Winterthur region and the city of Zurich, GZA aims to attract innovative international companies – particularly in future-oriented industries such as AI, life sciences, ICT, robotics, and fintech. Its focus is not on quantitative growth, but on creating qualitative value. By sustainably attracting forward-looking companies, GZA contributes to structural transformation and strengthens regional ecosystems. As a globally connected organization, GZA operates proactively in strategic target markets, positioning the Zurich economic region internationally as a hub of innovation, quality of life, sustainability, and technological excellence.
About ETH AI Center
The ETH AI Center is the interdisciplinary AI competence center at ETH Zurich. It brings together researchers from all departments who work on the foundations, applications, and implications of artificial intelligence. The center connects over 110 faculty members and their research groups into a community driving the development of trustworthy, broadly accessible, and inclusive AI systems for the benefit of society.
Contact Persons:
GZA Contact
Christian Lüscher
Senior PR & Communications Manager
Greater Zurich Area AG (GZA)
Mobile: +41 79 921 78 13
christian.luescher@greaterzuricharea.com
ETH AI Center Contact
Helga Rietz
Science Communications Manager
ETH AI Center
Mobile: +41 76 681 64 57
helga.rietz@ai.ethz.ch
Discover the full program and join us at:
www.zurichaifestival.ch
www.zurichaifestival.ch/program
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