As India concluded one of the world’s largest and most inclusive conversations on artificial intelligence.
Switzerland confirmed it will host the next global AI summit in Geneva in 2027 — signalling continuity between New Delhi’s people-centric push and Bern’s regulation-led approach. The announcement was made by Bernard Maissen, Swiss State Secretary and Director General of the Federal Office of Communications, during an interaction on the sidelines of the AI Summit in New Delhi.
Describing the gathering as “extremely significant,” Maissen said the event marked a turning point in the global AI debate. “This is the first AI summit in the Global South, and that matters,” he said. “Artificial intelligence must benefit everyone, not just the most technologically advanced economies.”
India’s summit — which drew participation from nearly 300,000 stakeholders — culminated in the Delhi Declaration, underscoring safety, regulation, inclusiveness and a leadership role for developing nations. Maissen said Switzerland is keen to draw lessons from India’s “AI for all” framework and its effort to bring together diverse geographies and voices.
Geneva 2027: A bridge between North and South
Confirming that Geneva will host the next edition in 2027, Maissen positioned Switzerland as a natural bridge between the Global North and the Global South. “We have a strong ecosystem of regulation, universities, research institutions and startups,” he said. “That allows us to convene meaningful global discussions while balancing innovation with safeguards.”
Geneva, long known as a diplomatic hub, is expected to frame the next phase of global AI governance discussions — building on the momentum generated in New Delhi.
A cautious path on AI regulation
On regulation, Maissen acknowledged mounting global concerns around safety, misinformation and the impact of AI-driven platforms on young users. His remarks come amid policy debates in Europe, including proposals in some countries to restrict social media access for minors.
While the European Union has advanced comprehensive AI legislation, Switzerland has opted for a more measured route. “At the moment, Switzerland does not have a specific AI Act, nor do we have laws banning social media for minors,” Maissen said. However, he noted that Bern is closely tracking international developments.
Switzerland is a signatory to the Council of Europe AI Convention, which outlines principles for responsible AI use. Those standards, he said, are gradually being integrated into domestic frameworks.
Tackling misinformation and deepfakes
Addressing concerns over disinformation and deepfakes — especially in the context of global conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war — Maissen acknowledged the growing risks posed by AI-generated content. Rather than imposing outright bans, Switzerland’s strategy prioritises media literacy and public awareness.
“It’s difficult to regulate disinformation directly,” he said. “Our focus is on empowering people to distinguish between what is fake and what is real.” He emphasised that a strong and independent media ecosystem remains central to that effort.
India–Switzerland tech ties deepen
The discussion also highlighted expanding technology and innovation cooperation between India and Switzerland. Maissen pointed to strong bilateral ties, rising investments and recently signed trade agreements as evidence of deepening engagement.
“Swiss companies invest heavily in India and vice versa. India is a huge market, and this summit opens new doors for collaboration in AI and digital technologies,” he said.
As India closes a landmark chapter in global AI diplomacy, the focus now shifts to Geneva. With New Delhi foregrounding inclusion and Global South leadership, and Switzerland preparing to host the next summit, the global AI conversation appears poised to move toward a more balanced, collaborative and human-centric future.
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