Swiss Data Space Forum 2026 Unlocking Data for AI
The Swiss Data Space Forum 2026 took place on October 28 at Unlimitrust Campus
How can large volumes of potentially sensitive data be made available without compromising data protection and trust? The key lies in sharing the data in question only among selected stakeholders and for a specific purpose, such as the development of in-house AI models or automated processes. This can be achieved through a «data space» approach – a controlled environment where only authorized parties can interact with decentrally held data in a previously defined manner.
Whitepaper on «AI-ready Data»
As a driving force for data ecosystems, the Swiss Data Alliance presented the white paper «AI-ready Data: Conceptual Foundations, Use Cases, and Lessons Learned», developed as part of the Swiss AI Action Plan. Drawing on nine Swiss case studies, from tourism and Apertus to the Swiss Life archive, it defines concrete criteria for AI-ready data and shows ways out of silos without losing control over sensitive data
The Swiss Data Space Forum 2026 is proud to be an offical pre-event for the Geneva AI Summit.
2026 Program and Slides
9:30–10:45
Plenary Session I
Raphaël Conz, Office for Economic Affairs and Innovation, Canton de Vaud
Opening RemarksKatja Christ, First Vice President of the National Council (Basel-Stadt/GLP)
Greetings from the National Council (PDF)Thomas Schulthess, Swiss National Supercomputing Centre
How AI Research Contributes to Digital Sovereignty (PDF)Abhimanyu Verma, SOPHiA GENETICS
What the Private Organizations Expect from the Public Sector (PDF)Diego Kuonen, Statoo Consulting & University of Geneva
Why AI Needs Better Data, Not Just More Data and Why Data Literacy Matters (PDF)Catherine Pugin, Déléguée au numérique, Canton de Vaud
Turning Today's Conversations into Tomorrow's Data Spaces (PDF)
11:15–12:30
Plenary Session II
Stefan Metzger & Lukas Hohl, Beyond Civic
State of Swiss Data Spaces (PDF)Astha Kapoor, Aapti Institute (India)
Trusted Data Sharing as Digital Public Infrastructure (PDF)Alek Tarkowski & Ilario Valdelli, Wikimedia Movement
Open Knowledge in the Age of AI: Lessons from WikimediaAdrian Lobsiger, Swiss Federal Privacy and Information Commissioner
Trust, Privacy and Data Sovereignty in the AI Era (PDF)Michael Gomez & Philipp Naber, Accenture
Concept to Value Creation: The Significance and Economics of Industrial Data Ecosystems (PDF)Bert Verdonck, Luxemburg National Data Service
Luxembourg’s Approach to Enable Re-Use of Data (PDF)
15:15–16:30
Breakout Session II
Track 1: Trust in Data
How Gaia-X provides building blocks to enable interoperable and sovereign collaboration
Format: Workshop
Moderator: Manuel Gutiérrez de Diego, Gaia-X AISBL
Track 2: AI-Ready Data: From Characteristics to Practice
A practical approach to AI-ready data based on a new Swiss Data Alliance whitepaper and an emerging assessment framework
Format: Interactive session
Moderator: Diego Kuonen, Statoo Consulting & University of Geneva
Track 3: Building Resilient Data Ecosystems
Format: Lightning Talks
Moderator: Thomas Seidel, Accenture
Jonas Bärtschi, Swiss Data Alliance: Data Sharing Monitor (PDF)
Fabrice Tocco, Dawex
Thomas Rosenberg, Canton Berne
Stephan Gstöhl, Data Ecosystem Liechtenstein
Cédric Moullet, BLW
Track 4: Enabling Trustworthy AI: How Can Government Support Access to High-Quality Data?
Format: Workshop
Moderator: Felix Gille, Federal Chancellery
13:30–14:45
Breakout Session I
Track 1: Control Your Data: Your Data, Your AI — Keeping the Keys
Format: Two short talks followed by a panel discussion
Moderator: David Viollier, Center for Digital Trust EPFL
Track 2: Use Data as a Strategic Asset
Format: Lightning Talks
Moderator: Philipp Späti, IBM
Marie-Sophie Morel, ABB
Arnaud Pallier, Dassault Systèmes
Damian Vizar, CSEM
Nicolas Cabuil, Transports publics de la région lausannoise
Leonardo Moretti, Adminity
Track 3: Data-Driven Innovation
Format: Moderated talk with selected startups
Moderator: Lennig Pedron, Trust Valley
Track 4: Insights into Apertus
Format: Workshop
Moderator: Oleg Lavrovsky, ETH AI Center
12:30–13:30
Networking Lunch
16:45–17:45
Switzerland's Vision for Data-Driven Innovation
Martina Hirayama, State Secretariat for Education, Research & InnovationAI Literacy and the Components of a Digital Ecosystem (PDF)
Sandrine Denti, digitalswitzerland Regional Director RomandiePlenary Panel: Unlocking Data for AI – from Vision to Action
Christophe Dessimoz (Swiss Bioinformatics Institute), Jan Kerschgens (Center SDS), Georg Lutz (FORS)
Moderator: Felix Gille, Federal ChancelleryClosing Remarks
André Golliez (Swiss Data Alliance), Andreas Meyer (digitalswitzerland)
Final Plenary Session
17:45–18:45
Networking Apéro
The Swiss Data Space Forum is co-organized by the Swiss Data Alliance and digitalswitzerland.
Platin Partners
Gold Partners
Silver Partners
Event Partners
Location
The unlimitrust campus is a short walk from Prilly-Malley train station.
unlimitrust campus
route des Flumeaux 42
1008 Prilly
The Swiss Data Space Forum, organized by the Swiss Data Alliance and digitalswitzerland, aims to advance the understanding of dataspaces as a key element of a trustworthy digital infrastructure in Switzerland.
Founded in 2017, the Swiss Data Alliance is an independent think tank focusing on data policy and data re-use in Switzerland. It is financed through its members.