Building on Momentum: How the Zurich AI Festival Puts Zurich on the Map
The Festival: Numbers & Outcomes
- 6’500 visitors
- 26 events in 17 venues
- 50:50 gender balance
- National and international media reports
- Community interaction on social media
- Publication:
Top 100+ women in AI+Data in Switzerland
The Organizers
Valeria Bella: Event manager at the ETH AI Center, initiator and curator of the festival, she was responsible for the content concept and program design.
Sabine Müller: Head of Marketing and Communications, Deputy Managing Director at Greater Zurich Area. As the initiator and curator, she was responsible for the strategic direction and international promotion of the festival.
What motivated you to create an AI festival?
AI isn’t just another technology trend. It’s reshaping entire industries and laying the groundwork for new ones. That’s why we created a festival that sparks conversation about both opportunities and responsibilities, reaching beyond the professional community and engaging society as a whole.
The Zurich AI Festival took place in Zurich for the first time. How would you describe it in a few words?
The Zurich AI Festival unites founders, researchers, and visionaries from around the world. More than a trade fair, it’s an international showcase and a gateway to the Swiss tech ecosystem.
"Zurich is a global innovation hub, where academic excellence, economic strength and international networks meet."
Which are the strengths of Zurich as a location for events in the field of artificial intelligence and technology?
The region is home to ETH Zurich, the University of Zurich, and numerous international companies and startups driving AI innovation.
The recent arrival of players like OpenAI and Anthropic, alongside established tech leaders such as NVIDIA, Meta, Apple, and Sony conducting R&D in the Greater Zurich Area, highlights the city’s enormous potential as a technology hub.
What lasting impact has the festival had on Zurich and the local community?
The festival has raised the region's global profile as an AI hub. With this event, the Zurich economic region is clearly positioning itself at the international forefront. Here, innovation, top-level research, and economic strength come together. We are demonstrating that the region not only keeps pace internationally, but aims to be in the spotlight.
This effect spills over to the wider public, fostering greater awareness and engagement with artificial intelligence across the city.
How will the Zurich AI Festival develop in the coming years?
The Zurich AI Festival aims to become a recurring, internationally relevant event. We want to build on the momentum created and establish Zurich as a long-term European and global hub for applied AI.
How did the Zurich Convention Bureau support you?
The Zurich Convention Bureau was a key partner of the festival, particularly in logistics, venue advice, and support with speaker gifts.
In addition, the Bureau provided valuable input for the further development of the festival format and helped position Zurich as an outstanding host city.
What advice would you give to other event organizers planning an international event in Zurich?
Zurich offers everything an international event needs — from infrastructure and an innovation-driven culture to an open and curious population. The key is to leverage local strengths and focus on collaboration.
"Bringing together stakeholders from research, industry, and government creates events with lasting impact."
1 Festival, 17 Venues: Advantages of a Decentralized Event Format
- Making the Zurich tech ecosystem tangible for attendees
(e.g. exclusive insights at Google's Hürlimann location) - Fostered connections between research, industry, and the public (events at startup hubs and research centers, like Bluelion, Tenity, Innovationspark, ETH Zurich or the University Hospital of Zurich)
- Surprising guests with unexpected venues (public or cultural spaces, like Münsterhof, Kunsthaus or the central library)
- All venues are well connected via public transport so exploring the destination becomes part of the event
Contact
Any questions? The Zurich Convention Bureau will support you with your event in Zurich.
Picture Credits: Zurich AI Festival, ETH AI Center & Greater Zurich Area
Photographers: Boris Baldinger / Jasmin Frei / Bo Yann