70 Digital Shapers adopt projects for the digital transformation of Switzerland
At a workshop in Bern, the Digital Shapers discussed and approved specific implementation projects for Switzerland's digital transformation. Among other things, these projects aim to double the number of startups and advance the development of electronic identity.
Innovative entrepreneurs, politicians, scientists, thought leaders, artists and investors, the so-called Digital Shapers of 2016 and 2017, gathered in Bern for a workshop. Specific implementation projects in various fields of action were discussed and defined for the Digital Action Plan for Switzerland. This is intended to change the legal and structural conditions so that Switzerland remains one of the most successful and innovative economies in the world in the future.
Marc Walder, initiator of Digitalswitzerland and coordinator of the Digital Action Plan for Switzerland: "The leading digital minds in our country should not only lead the way in the digital transformation, but must do so together with business, science, politics and the population."
On the initiative of digitalswitzerland and as part of the digital action plan for Switzerland, the 70 Digital Shapers have each further developed specific implementation projects from the following six fields of action:
Society / Digital transformation: New hubs and online exchange platforms are intended to involve the population more closely in digitalization. Continuous dialog with the public is maintained via these platforms.
Economy / Ecosystem / Innovation: In order for Switzerland to maintain its position as world innovation champion, projects were discussed to attract more venture capital, increase the number of start-ups and provide access to the world's best talent.
Education / Research: Industry and universities are launching joint projects to strengthen the transfer of knowledge and new technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and robotics. This should benefit the entire economy, including SMEs in particular.
Regulation: Trust in the digital economy requires mechanisms that preventively guarantee the protection of privacy and informational self-determination. Regulation and technology (RegTech) should be used to ensure that a consistent digitalization of administrative processes is established at the authorities with corresponding interfaces to the private sector.
Infrastructure / data policy: Efficient networks and a liberal data policy form the backbone of the digital transformation. The introduction of an electronic identity (e-ID) and new models for future mobility have high priority.
Cyber Security: Awareness of the value of digital data in a globally networked world must be massively increased. This requires information and sensitization in politics as well as in the private sector. As a long-term measure, the Swiss education system should increasingly train the necessary skills to protect Switzerland from these dangers in the future.
The projects will be fleshed out in the coming weeks by representatives from business, science and the federal administration. They are part of the Digital Action Plan, which will be presented on Digital Day on November 21. As the action plan has points of contact with the "Digital Transformation Advisory Board" set up by President Doris Leuthard and Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann, coordination and cooperation will take place.
