Digital Switzerland strategy: these are the priorities for 2025

In December 2024, the Swiss Federal Council adopted the Digital Switzerland Strategy for the coming year. In 2025, the Federal Administration wants to focus on three key topics: artificial intelligence (AI), information and cybersecurity and the promotion of open source. The strategy is intended to serve as a guide for both public and private stakeholders and drive forward the digital transformation in Switzerland.

This is what lies behind the three central fields of action:

Regulation and use of AI systems

The Swiss Federal Council is planning to reorganise the legal framework for artificial intelligence in Switzerland. The aim is to protect fundamental rights, democracy and the rule of law while strengthening innovation and competitiveness. The aim is to ensure legal certainty in the use of artificial intelligence in public authorities and companies. At the same time, the use of AI technologies within the federal administration will be expanded.

Strengthening information and cyber security

In order to ensure the protection of Switzerland and its citizens, the Federal Council wants to focus on strengthening security measures within the administration. The focus is on raising awareness among employees and specialists, implementing basic protective measures and ensuring the ability to act in crisis situations. In addition, new cyber and information security structures are to be established that will also benefit the cantons and municipalities.

Promotion of open source in the federal administration

By increasing the use and establishment of open source software, the Federal Council aims to increase transparency, security and innovation in the administration. Another focus is on strengthening digital sovereignty. Cooperation with national and international open source communities is to be intensified in order to promote the exchange of knowledge.

In addition, the federal level is planning advisory board meetings on these three priority topics with representatives from business, science, politics, authorities and civil society in order to promote dialogue and the further development of the strategy.

It is already clear that the focus topics mentioned in the Swiss digital strategy are not only being addressed in Switzerland. In Germany, too, the administration will increasingly have to deal with AI, cyber security and open source in order to remain capable of acting in the long term.

At the Smart Country Convention, we will discuss these and many other key fields of action with decision-makers from politics, business, science and administration and create a central platform for dialogue for the public sector in Germany and Europe.