3.5. Technology as a new topic of Swiss foreign policy Technology will drive not just far-reaching global changes, it will also impact foreign policy. It would be reductive to regard new technologies merely as a tool. Rather, Switzerland should conceptualise technology as a new foreign policy topic. A tech foreign policy can help optimise the opportunities afforded by new technologies while minimising their risks for Switzerland and the world. The Federal Institutes of Technology and other research centres position Switzerland at the cutting edge of research in new technologies. This is underscored by the country’s Impact per Paper ranking in research on artificial intelligence (AI). Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), the deep learning process that is integral to all smartphones today, was developed in Switzerland. The country is, after all, a world leader in engineering and robotics. The relevant tech companies are located in Switzerland, and there is a high density of AI start-ups per capita. In biotechnology, successful global Swiss companies in the pharmaceutical, chemical and agricultural sectors and the food industry are playing a significant role. All of these companies are shoring up Switzerland’s reputation as a hub for innovation. Numerous other international organisations and key players such as the WEF and the ICRC are headquartered in Switzerland. They are also key influencers in the debate on digital transformation. Other multilateral organisations, such as the UN, can benefit by networking locally with these knowledge centres. The vision By 2028, new technologies are an established topic of Swiss foreign policy. Switzerland is a leading global hub for governance and research in artificial intelligence and other new technologies. It has a clearly defined profile and is a leading contributor to international policy debates. Switzerland utilises new technologies to enhance the impact of its foreign policy actions and commitments. Stakeholders from industry and the scientific community will become established partners in this process. In the time frame until 2028, three building blocks will lay the foundation for Switzerland to consolidate its position in new technologies: 3.5.1. Switzerland as a hub for governance and innovation in new technologies To project itself as a location for new technologies, Switzerland will need to adopt measures that go beyond foreign policy. They must include developing a national strategy on AI, a favourable regulatory environment for start-ups as well as internationally competitive government incentives to halt the brain drain that has already beset the Swiss AI development sector and other sectors such as biotechnology. Foreign policy can play an important role here. Switzerland’s foreign policy profile also predisposes it to be a hub for technology themes. Swiss neutrality is the basis for a credible tech foreign policy. Its independence and reputation for mediation and building bridges serve as enablers for new opportunities. Consequently, the prerequisites for engaging with technology themes through a distinct foreign policy are there. At present, they are not being optimally combined. Switzerland has so far not been well represented in the debates on new technologies: the United States and China have been setting the benchmarks for AI, and Europe’s position is being shaped by countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Finland, the Netherlands and Denmark. Switzerland should project International Geneva as the leading destination for the global debates on digitalisation and technology. Geneva is already known for its dynamic ecosystem embracing diverse stakeholder groups. This ecosystem must be nurtured and encouraged to develop innovative governance models for new technologies. Governmental and government-related institutions across the world are currently finding it difficult to keep pace with the speed of technological development. The future will be shaped in creative interactions between various stakeholders on suitable platforms. Expanding these capacities and networks could be one element of a host country policy. A step in that direction was the decision of the Federal Council along with the Canton and City of Geneva in spring 2019 to establish the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator foundation. There is 2028 Foreign Policy Vision 36