The newly published "Aachener Marktspiegel Business Software - Supply Chain Management 2025", published by Trovarit AG in cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA and the FIR e.V. at RWTH Aachen University, offers a decision-making aid for all those companies that want to gain a competitive advantage with a new SCM solution.

Comprehensive market overview - orientation in a dynamic environment

The updated edition of the market review examines and compares almost 160 SCM solutions from over 130 SCM providers. This provides companies with a well-founded and independent guide for their software selection. The market review examines both specialized SCM systems and ERP systems with integrated SCM functionalities in order to show which solutions are suitable for which company requirements.

SCM software: increasing efficiency through digitalization

Modern SCM software supports companies in a variety of ways: from demand planning to production and distribution control to real-time monitoring of supply chains. Transparency, flexibility and resilience in the supply chain are essential, especially in view of global uncertainties and volatile markets. The market review analyzes the core functions of SCM solutions and provides companies with a systematic basis for comparison and evaluation.

Practical assistance for software selection

The large number of SCM solutions on the market does not make it easy to decide which software to use. The market review shows which solutions are particularly suitable for specific requirements and provides a structured methodology for the reliable and efficient selection of SCM software. The analysis is based on key criteria such as functionality, user-friendliness, integration capability and investment security.

The market overview is now available at https://www.trovarit.com/studien/marktspiegel/supply-chain-management/ can be purchased.

The "Global Pay Transparency Report" published by Mercer is based on responses from more than 1,000 companies worldwide. It essentially concludes that pay transparency is becoming increasingly important for companies around the world - not only to comply with local regulations in certain countries, but also to attract and retain employees.

Wage transparency only due to regulatory pressure?

According to the survey, for 77% of companies globally, compliance with regulations is the main reason for their pay transparency strategy. More than 50 percent see improving employee satisfaction and consistency with corporate values as important aspects. The values for Swiss companies are largely in line with the global results.

"It is time for companies to take action on pay transparency. Because fair pay is the second most important reason why employees choose a company. Employers should prioritize this fact in order to continue to operate successfully," says Mikolaj Jaszczuk, Principal Consultant Rewards at Mercer Switzerland.

Significant deficits

Although employers recognize the rising expectations around pay transparency, there is still a significant implementation gap. Less than a third (32 percent) of companies said they were prepared to meet global transparency requirements. In Switzerland, the figure was 50 percent.

Despite differences in pay transparency legislation, US companies are leading the way, with one in five companies having a pay transparency strategy in place. In Europe (excluding the UK and Ireland), only 7 percent of companies have a pay transparency strategy in place, although pay transparency legislation will come into force in the EU in 2026.

Main differences and limits of current equal pay requirements

The Swiss equal pay requirement, which is part of the revised Gender Equality Act, is a step in the right direction, but its one-off nature and lack of required transparency can significantly limit its effectiveness. In an article, Mikolaj Jaszczuk and Stefanie Schweitzer, Managing Consultant Rewards and Pay Equity, shed light on the differences between the Swiss Equal Pay Act and the EU Equal Pay and Pay Equity Directive. While Switzerland prescribes a one-off equal pay analysis, the EU relies on a continuous review to ensure long-term equality.

The Swiss Gender Equality Act, which was revised in 2020, requires companies with more than 100 employees to carry out a one-off equal pay analysis. This must be carried out using a scientifically validated method and audited externally. Companies that pass the audit do not have to carry out any further analyses. This means that there is no mechanism for regular monitoring and further development, which makes the law less effective.

In contrast, the EU directive obliges companies to carry out regular analyses - either annually or every three years, depending on the size of the company. It also promotes transparency by requiring companies to disclose salary information, which should lead to a fairer salary structure. Applicants are also entitled to information on salary structures, while employers are not allowed to ask about salary history. This reduces information asymmetries between companies and employees.

Should Switzerland revise its model?

The article from Mercer identifies the following four main differences between the Swiss regulation and the EU directive:

1. Frequency of analyses: While Switzerland requires a one-off inspection, the EU relies on continuous monitoring.
2. Method of analysis: Switzerland requires a scientifically validated regression analysis, while the EU prescribes a more general equal pay test.
3. Scope and transparency: The EU attaches great importance to transparency by obliging companies to disclose salary information. Switzerland only requires internal communication of the results.
4. Monitoring and control: There is no official monitoring body in Switzerland. However, the EU obliges member states to set up monitoring bodies to ensure compliance with the regulations.

The authors conclude that the one-off analysis in Switzerland is not sufficient to ensure sustainable equal pay. While the EU directive can bring about a far-reaching change in the salary structure, the Swiss model remains a one-off instrument with no long-term effect. It may therefore be necessary to adapt the Swiss regulations in order to keep pace with international standards and ensure fairer pay.

Source: Mercer

As a leading provider of technology solutions for the hospitality industry, we at Oracle present our predictions for the hospitality industry in 2025. Based on our expertise and insights from working with various hospitality companies, we expect the following developments over the next 12 months.

1 AI: From experiment to effect

The strong focus on AI-driven automation in the hospitality industry will evolve from buzzwords and experiments to concrete initiatives that solve acute industry problems and create new opportunities.

From streamlining check-in processes to personalizing the guest experience, AI will improve customer service and offer tailored suggestions such as room upgrades or dining recommendations in real time. Sophisticated gestures, long researched and implemented by experienced concierge staff, were previously limited to the size or resources of the hotel. However, AI can help to efficiently plan, find and implement real services in hotels of all sizes - with minimal effort and cost.

In the future, AI will support hoteliers in making important decisions by recognizing and monitoring problems that might otherwise go unnoticed. In this way, hotels can make their processes more efficient, react flexibly and make quick, data-based decisions. AI will also change staff planning by optimizing work processes and taking over routine tasks. This gives staff more time to focus on more demanding and valuable tasks.

With open APIs and plug-in marketplaces, hotels can test AI technologies quickly and cost-effectively and receive results within a few weeks, enabling a faster decision to implement or switch to alternative solutions.

2. the controlled journey of the guest: from arrival to the follow-up of the stay

The first innovations in the area of guest-oriented applications were associated with hesitation, resistance and obstacles. Hoteliers, for example, were concerned about sacrificing guest service and disrupting operations. Those days are over. The successful adoption of technology solutions in the hospitality industry has allayed these concerns by enabling improved service and granular control over the guest experience - perfectly aligned with hoteliers' needs.

In the future, guests will have more control and influence to make their trips individual and memorable. Thanks to the multitude of online booking platforms and new providers in the travel industry, such as credit card companies with travel rewards and special offers, new opportunities are opening up for tech-savvy travelers in particular. By cleverly using several loyalty programs, they can combine various benefits and tailor their trips perfectly to their personal wishes.

Hoteliers who embrace innovation and focus on creating unique guest experiences are unlocking significant opportunities. By using technology to support new experiences before and during the stay, hotels can enhance their offering. Technology on and off property is enabling a customer-centric, attribute-based sales approach that allows hotels to go beyond traditional room types and pricing. This evolution allows guests to customize their stay by selecting specific attributes such as a higher floor, a balcony, a connecting room or a mini-kitchen to suit their preferences and needs. Hotels that recognize and capitalize on these partnership opportunities will find themselves at the forefront. Not only in terms of revenue growth, but also in delivering memorable guest experiences.

3. technical consolidation: rationalization of processes, improvement of guest satisfaction

The hospitality industry is at a turning point and technology is at the heart of the change. Hotels have recognized the critical role that technology plays in the success and enhancement of the guest experience. As guest expectations are constantly evolving, it is crucial for hotels and hospitality businesses to stay ahead of the curve. This means not only introducing innovative solutions, but also strategically partnering with technology providers who can simplify their operations and expand their offerings.

By consolidating their technology ecosystems and choosing vendors that offer a comprehensive suite of core solutions, the need to duplicate interfaces and map data between systems, which could lead to friction and silos, can be avoided. In this way, foodservice brands can streamline their operations and reduce the complexity often associated with managing multiple vendors.

This streamlined approach can bring numerous benefits. Working with providers that have a broad range of capabilities can increase cost efficiency. By bundling services and solutions, suppliers can offer more competitive pricing and flexible packages tailored to the individual needs of hospitality operations. This not only simplifies the financial side of supplier management, but also opens up opportunities for cost savings that can be reinvested in improving the guest experience.

Another key benefit of strategic vendor partnerships is the potential for innovation. When hotels and hospitality businesses work closely with technology providers, they can jointly develop solutions that address specific industry challenges and meet the unique needs of their guests. This collaborative approach fosters a culture of innovation that helps hospitality businesses stay at the forefront of the latest developments and offer their guests an exceptional and differentiated experience.

4. sustainability and environmentally conscious innovations will make great progress

With the 2030 sustainability targets only five years away, there will be a renewed focus on sustainability practices and more environmentally conscious technological innovations will be integrated into hotels. This can include a variety of areas, such as energy management and smart water monitoring systems that help hoteliers optimize their energy and water consumption respectively.

Furthermore, hotels will increasingly adopt cloud-based and digital platforms that can reduce on-site energy consumption, promote paperless operations and minimize waste. There will be a particular focus on the use of sustainable and recycled materials in products to make the hospitality industry more environmentally friendly from the ground up.

5. security as a competitive advantage

Several notable security breaches over the past year have reminded the hospitality and gaming industries that they are attractive targets for cybercriminals. The exposure of guest data, disruption of operations and damage to brand reputation have served as a stark reminder that security remains a key priority and an ongoing challenge for the hospitality industry.

While security is a necessity, doing more can be a competitive advantage in an increasingly risky digital world. Guests are increasingly sensitive with their personal data, and a breach of trust can lead to a loss of loyalty and significant reputational damage. By treating security as a fundamental aspect of the guest experience, hospitality and hoteliers can ensure that their businesses remain resilient and trustworthy for years to come.

As a direct response to this, we expect an accelerated development towards cloud solutions in secure data centers. The cloud offers advanced security features that on-premise solutions often cannot match. With advanced encryption, multi-factor authentication and robust access controls, cloud solutions can provide stronger protection against cyber-attacks.

By leveraging the expertise and infrastructure of cloud providers such as Oracle, hospitality businesses can benefit from purpose-built, secure data centers. These facilities are designed to protect sensitive data and mitigate risk so that guests' information remains protected and confidential.

In 2025, we are therefore reinforcing the message that safety is at stake. It is the foundation on which both guest trust and brand reputation are built. By prioritizing safety, hospitality businesses can not only protect themselves, but also promote a culture of trust and reliability that resonates with guests.

Author:
Yvan Cognasse is a seasoned digital transformation expert with over 30 years of experience. He is head of the Business Insights and Enterprise Architects team in the Northern Europe region at Oracle and responsible for driving solution growth and maximizing operational excellence. Yvan Cognasse is also a lecturer in digital transformation at HEG Geneva and a keynote speaker on artificial intelligence.

Hospital information systems are at the heart of modern hospitals. They control the flow of information, process sensitive patient data and ensure smooth processes in the hospital environment. An investigation by the National Cyber Security Test Institute (NTC) has now revealed that the cyber security of these essential systems is inadequate in many cases. 

Results of the analysis

According to the report, serious security vulnerabilities were found in all the systems examined. In total, the report identifies more than 40 medium to severe vulnerabilities. Three of these are of the highest criticality. Solutions based on outdated architectures were found to be particularly vulnerable. The main problems include fundamental architectural issues, missing or improperly implemented encryption, vulnerable peripheral systems and insufficient separation between test and production environments, according to the report.

Tests have shown that some of the identified vulnerabilities allow full access to patient data and systems within a few hours. While most of the relevant vulnerabilities have now been resolved or mitigated, some fundamental problems require a comprehensive redesign of the software architecture, which according to the manufacturers will take several years. In addition, several critical vulnerabilities in peripheral systems were discovered during the analysis that were not part of the defined scope of the audit, but were recognized as incidental findings due to their conspicuous nature. 

The report deliberately refrains from giving details of the weaknesses. Instead, it provides general information about the NTC Vulnerability Hub as well as targeted notification of affected hospitals via the Cyber Security Hub (CSH) of the Federal Office for Cyber Security (BACS).

Recommendations for hospitals

The report contains eight key recommendations for the sustainable improvement of cyber security in Swiss hospitals. These include taking cyber security requirements into account as early as the IT procurement stage and carrying out regular vulnerability analyses for ongoing monitoring. In smaller hospitals in particular, responsibilities with regard to cyber security must be clearly defined and the necessary resources made available. In addition, increased networking between hospitals and access to the Cyber Security Hub (CSH) of the Federal Office for Cyber Security (BACS) is recommended.

Source and further information: www.ntc.swiss

2025 marks the start of a profound transformation of enterprise software. It will go beyond the previous democratization of software development and engineering using generative AI and will change the previously stable software workflows. This is how Induprakas Keri, Senior Vice President and General Manager Hybrid Multicloud at Nutanix, sees the near future. "This year, a new type of software will come onto the market that learns from its application and improves the user experience and productivity of development teams independently, i.e. without active programming," says the expert.

Cooperation with the help of AI agents

In addition to self-optimization, the topic of cooperation will become increasingly important. This involves the collaboration of AI agents that can also conduct negotiations. "For companies to benefit from this, they need employees with the appropriate skills, processes and technologies," explains Debo Dutta, Chief AI Officer (CAIO) at Nutanix. New reasoning models, including open source models, would give AI models additional capabilities. Dutta assumes that AI inferencing will continue to gain in importance due to the increasing spread of reasoning models and agents.

In his opinion, new technologies and architectures will emerge to support the new generations of models and multi-agent systems. For example, in-memory computing will become popular in order to overcome the memory wall. In addition, entire memory controllers will run on intelligent network cards. His colleague Keri agrees and expects the power consumption of AI inferencing, especially at the edge, to become a serious challenge: "Contrary to popular belief, inferencing will be the real power guzzler, rather than training."

Also a consequence of AI in 2025: electricity consumption as a cost driver

As power consumption increases, so do the costs for companies. According to Dutta, this is mainly due to the scaling of the computing capacities required for inferencing. Companies therefore need to rethink their expenditure on infrastructure and energy.

To ensure that investments and operating costs do not jeopardize the success of AI projects, companies should use artificial intelligence in particular to "identify inefficiencies and automate labour-intensive processes", according to Tobi Knaup, General Manager Cloud Native at Nutanix. He recommends: "IT managers should pursue the strategy of financing AI with the help of AI." IT itself is under pressure to work with maximum efficiency and should therefore decommission products that do not use AI.

According to Rajiv Ramaswami, President and CEO of Nutanix, Nutanix itself is aiming for a 25 percent increase in development productivity: "We will use artificial intelligence to generate code for unit tests and a range of other functions." These and similar projects will become a reality in 2025 and will spread to more and more areas of the company with the emergence of new AI applications.

Source and further information: www.nutanix.com

At GITEX 2024, various Swiss companies will be presenting topics ranging from AI, metaverse, blockchain, cyber security and telecommunications to climate tech and future mobility at the Swiss Pavilion. Exeon Analytics, a young cybersecurity company dedicated to protecting corporate IT/OT landscapes through AI-driven security analytics, will also be presenting its Network Detection & Response (NDR) platform to a global audience for the first time at the technology fair in Dubai. The Zurich-based cybersecurity specialist's platform is characterized not only by the fact that it does not require additional agents and sensors, but also by its high level of deployment flexibility (either in the cloud or in the company's own data center). The on-premise version in particular significantly increases the security of sensitive data in critical sectors such as finance, healthcare and public administration, as data sovereignty remains entirely within the company, Exeon continues. Gregor Erismann, Co-CEO Exeon Analytics: "GITEX offers us the ideal setting to take a further step in our internationalization strategy with our AI-driven cyber security innovations and to get in touch with many potential customers and partners."

Exeon Analytics' NDR platform provides comprehensive protection against cyber threats by monitoring network communications. ExeonTrace uses lightweight traffic metadata for analysis, does not require complex traffic mirroring or packet decryption and leverages existing IT, cloud and OT infrastructure to collect analytics data. The self-learning algorithms (AI) were developed at ETH Zurich. The AI detects anomalies in real time and uncovers as yet unknown attacks, which primarily strengthens the cyber resilience of companies that are part of the critical infrastructure - energy, finance, health and utilities. Swiss customers include companies such as Swiss International Air Lines, PostFinance and the Swiss Federal Administration. Nils Planzer, CEO of Planzer Transport AG, is also quoted: "With ExeonTrace, we at Planzer have found a Swiss solution to monitor our network and detect cyber threats at an early stage."

Source: Exeon 

For the tenth time now, the Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences (FH Ost) and Swissmem (Machine Tool Division) are inviting you to the international symposium on production metrology. It will take place as a face-to-face event on September 3, 2024 at the campus in Buchs (canton of St.Gallen). Once again, various topics from the field of metrology are on the program, presented in eight specialist lectures. For example, new developments in coordinate measuring technology or computer tomography and, in particular, how AI can provide support in these areas. Practical issues relating to the determination of measurement uncertainties will also be discussed, as well as new guidelines and liability issues. The speakers come from research and development as well as industry and production.

In parallel to the specialist presentations, over 20 manufacturers of measuring devices and measuring technology accessories from Germany and abroad will be presenting their products and services in an exhibition and will be available to answer questions. The conference starts at 9:15 a.m. and ends at 5:00 p.m. Registration opens at 8:45 a.m. Participation in the symposium costs CHF 320 (including conference documents, drinks during breaks and lunch); there are discounts for students and Swissmem members.

Registration and detailed information can be found here: https://www.ost.ch/de/forschung-und-dienstleistungen/technik/systemtechnik/imp/veranstaltungen/fachtagung-produktionsmesstechnik-2024

71 % of employees were already using AI tools before their superiors knew about it. This unauthorized use of AI technology that can access potentially sensitive company data is called "shadow AI". Shadow AI describes the use of generative AI products without IT oversight, using unprotected personal accounts that do not have the security checks or data agreements that would apply to a corporate account. Without a comprehensive strategy and employee training, such a situation can expose the company to significant risks.

Leaving no one behind with the introduction of AI

One of the main problems of shadow AI by individual users is inappropriate and non-compliant use due to a lack of uniform corporate guidelines. This fragmented, individualized approach to the introduction of generative AI (GenAI) contributes to splitting the company: On one side are the employees who use the latest technology without sharing with their colleagues, and on the other are the reluctant non-users who lag behind their supposedly more advanced colleagues. Without a holistic strategy and training for employees on how to use these new tools, those who experiment on an individual basis may be frustrated by not being able to gain useful insights or accurate results. Furthermore, these initial negative experiences carry the risk of employees abandoning AI tools altogether.

Unauthorized use puts sensitive data at risk

A current Study by Veritas found that 31 % of respondents admitted to sharing potentially sensitive information with generative AI tools. Business accounts for AI products typically have agreements in place to ensure that company data is not used to train AI models. However, personal accounts, which are often used in shadow AI, usually do not have these agreements. This means that any company data shared via a personal account could inadvertently be used to train the AI model.

Securing company data should therefore always be a primary concern. In addition, serious consequences can arise if employees use these powerful tools without guidance or their own judgment. AI tools are still prone to erroneous or inaccurate results and even "hallucinations". Relying on erroneous results without questioning them can lead to wrong decisions and potential legal or financial repercussions for the company.

AI strategy that sets rules but also invites experimentation

To meet these challenges, companies should pursue a coordinated AI strategy. It is important that IT teams identify trustworthy providers and agree clear terms for handling sensitive data. Working with vendors that have sound AI principles, including rules for data security and the prevention of data breaches, will minimize cyber risks and legal liabilities. For companies with sufficient resources, developing a customized AI solution by leveraging existing large-scale language models is also a viable option. The result is a powerful AI that integrates seamlessly into the company's data ecosystem and processes, increasing productivity and freeing up time for strategic tasks.

To get the most out of their AI investments, companies should also develop a comprehensive program that continuously educates their employees on best practices for integrating AI into their daily work. This will ensure that all employees can reap the benefits of AI technology. In every team, there is an "early tech adopter" whose curiosity and passion puts them ahead of others who are more hesitant to experiment. Such employees, working with their IT teams, can become AI champions within the organization, sharing learnings, best practices and insights with colleagues and fostering a collaborative learning environment.

Combining ethics and innovation

Within the confines of the company's AI strategy, automating routine tasks can help employees increase their performance and save time to focus on the work that brings the most value to the business. However, it is important to remember that AI should not be used as a substitute for human intelligence and review. AI is now able to automate numerous tasks and generate large amounts of content within seconds. But employees still need to use their own critical thinking. Because if they haven't really read the text generated by the AI or haven't really considered the problem they are trying to solve, they will only create bigger problems in the future. Therefore, for all the AI euphoria, companies need to keep thinking about the long-term ethical and social impact of AI on the workforce, while ensuring that AI complements human capabilities in a balanced way.

Author:

Christopher (Chris) Noon is Director and Global Head of Commercial Intelligence & Analytics (CIA) at Dropbox. As such, he leads the company's data science initiatives. His team develops tools to visualize customer engagement and identify trends. Prior to his career at Dropbox, Chris was a lecturer in ancient history and archaeology at Oxford University. He moved from academia to the technology industry with the aim of using his expertise to bridge the gap between technology and education. For these efforts he was awarded a Fellowship of the Royal Society of Art.

The increasing networking of OT (operational technology) and IT is creating a complex, dynamic environment that is susceptible to cyberattacks. Legacy systems, growing attack surfaces and an overstretched workforce are exacerbating the problem. At the same time, AI as a new technology will further improve the operation of industrial networks. "Operational technologies, and the industrial network in particular, have become a key differentiator for organizations globally," says Vikas Butaney, SVP/GM, Cisco Networking - SD-WAN, Multicloud and Industrial IoT. "IT and OT leaders recognize that strengthening their OT security is critical to driving business resilience, improving efficiency and preparing for the next wave of AI innovation."

Cybersecurity regulations in OT "extremely important"

According to the "State of Industrial Networking Report" study by Cisco, 89% of respondents consider compliance with cyber security regulations in OT to be very or extremely important. This shows that CIOs are increasingly aware that the greatest vulnerabilities lie in their operational infrastructure. At the same time, 92 percent of managers recognize the benefits of a uniform cybersecurity solution for OT and IT networks. 

However, many companies are still a long way from comprehensive collaboration. For example, 41 percent of respondents report that their OT and IT teams work independently of each other. However, a unified approach can lead to greater cyber security (39 %), more efficiency (32 %) and more monitoring options (29 %). 48% of respondents believe AI is the technological advancement that will have the greatest impact on industrial networks over the next five years. Accordingly, AI will be a high priority for spending on automating tasks, improving network performance and providing predictions. At the same time, 49 percent expect AI to improve network management for IT and OT.

The most important lessons learned from the study

• Prioritization of cyber security in OT: Companies that integrate cyber security into their industrial network strategy will need less effort, time and money to defend against attacks. They can invest more resources in developing OT as a platform for innovation and growth.
• Improved collaboration between IT and OT: The required technologies and skills are increasingly overlapping between OT and IT. Teams can therefore no longer work in isolation. Comprehensive organizational processes and uniform technological solutions are required to optimize and protect data and systems.
• AI as a competitive advantage: Innovative companies are using AI in OT to manufacture high-quality products faster. They can also use it to optimize efficiency, use data, support employees, protect themselves against cyberattacks and stay one step ahead of the competition.

Source: Cisco

Swisscom Broadcast has been offering customized drone flights as a service for over a year. The collaboration with Nokia Drone Networks now takes the offering to a new level: the so-called Drone-in-a-Box units will improve the broad availability of operationally efficient drone applications for industrial purposes and to ensure public safety. The collaboration will enable the automation of drone operations beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS).

Advantages for various applications

When the drone network is launched, the following three drone services will initially be offered:

• First responder drones in the blue light environment: The use of remote-controlled drones supports the efficiency and effectiveness of blue light organizations. The information gathered from the remote-controlled drones within the first few minutes enables the rapid and coordinated deployment of all emergency services involved. Thanks to sensor-supported aerial reconnaissance of hazards, the safety of first responders on site is increased. The rapid assessment of accident sites, fires or crime scenes increases the speed of deployment, which can save lives.
• Infrastructure inspection: The drone-in-a-box units, which will be distributed throughout Switzerland and connected via the network in future, will improve the safety of people involved in the maintenance of power lines, bridges and buildings. In future, a company with critical infrastructure will be able to simply order a drone when dangerous inspections or inspections that are difficult for people to access are due. Ongoing inspections help to detect and repair damage at an early stage. In this way, companies ensure that their infrastructure is well maintained and that the legal requirements for monitoring critical infrastructure are met. Swisscom Broadcast uses drones from our drone network to fly over infrastructure at intervals specified by the customer, generating detailed image material in the process. This can be used to create a digital twin, for example, if required. Supported by artificial intelligence, it is efficiently determined whether there are significant changes to the infrastructure.
• Strengthening perimeter protection: Geopolitical changes and new technologies may require raising the level of protection of critical infrastructure, production sites, public spaces, prisons, borders and police/military facilities. The perimeter protection solution provided by Swisscom together with partners relies on drones for simple inspection tasks on the ground and in the air. Combined with alarm sensors, the security level of facilities and areas requiring protection can be significantly increased. Automated, drone-based monitoring makes it possible to reduce costs as part of a defined security plan.

Strict regulation of autonomous drone flights

Special drone regulations apply to drone flights that take place outside of direct visual contact. There is a need to minimize risks above (air risk) and below (ground risk). The Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) monitors operational drone flight activities in Switzerland using the "Specific Operations Risk Assessment" method (SORA for short). Together with Nokia and the responsible regulatory authorities (OFCOM), it ensures that all flight activities comply with the legal framework, particularly with regard to frequency use and flight safety.

Drone flights as a service thanks to cooperation with Nokia

Nokia and Swisscom, two companies with many years of expertise in the area of 4G/5G, are working together to develop the drone infrastructure. Both companies have the know-how and corresponding resources to efficiently implement this project with a national impact. Nokia has extensive expertise in the development and production of high-quality software and hardware and has already gained experience in setting up a drone network in Belgium.

In future, customers will be able to access the drone infrastructure developed and produced in Europe via Swisscom Broadcast and obtain drone services from a single source. From consulting, automated piloting and monitoring of drone flights to secure data storage in Swisscom Data Centers.

The digitalswitzerland organization has made it its mission to unite the private sector, the public sector, the academic community and the population of all language regions in Switzerland around a digital agenda. Such an agenda should lead to Switzerland becoming a leading nation in terms of innovation, business location and digital competitiveness. With this in mind, digitalswitzerland invited experts, visionaries, industry pioneers and innovative companies from the public and private sectors as well as academia to the PalaCinema Locarno on August 7 to highlight the revolutionary impact of artificial intelligence on the modern business world. The event focused on three forward-looking questions: How can the Swiss creative tech ecosystem develop? How can Switzerland benefit from the supercomputers in Ticino? Why do the regions need to join forces in the age of AI?

The future of film and the audiovisual arts

Raphaël Brunschwig, Managing Director of the Locarno Film Festival, Andreas Meyer, President of digitalswitzerland, and Stefan Metzger, CEO of digitalswitzerland, opened the event. Stefano Rizzi, Head of the Economic Affairs Department of the Canton of Ticino, and Mauro Silacci, Head of the Finance and Economy Department of the City of Locarno, followed with some introductory words.

Art had a special place in connection with the Locarno Film Festival. Kevin B. Lee, Professor of the Future of Cinema and Audiovisual Arts at the Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), raised questions about the influence of artificial intelligence on art, artists and cinema in particular: How will the importance of cinema develop in the coming years? How does cinema envision its own survival? How are artists using this new technology - and how do audiences classify AI-generated art? His conclusion, inspired by Microsoft's closing words at the 2024 Cannes International Film Festival: Artificial intelligence is not creative - you are. But the "you" defines the value, the degree of acceptance and the reasonable disruption that AI brings with it.

AI and its many facets: from creative tech to the Swiss supercomputer

Marco Zaffalon, Professor at the Dalle Molle Institute for Artificial Intelligence (IDSIA, USI-SUPSI), began by explaining the history of artificial intelligence and its current capabilities and incapabilities. He also addressed the associated problems. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between universities, institutes, politics and industry to develop technologies and capabilities in Switzerland.

Christoph Weckerle from the Zurich Centre for Creative Economies shed light on changes in the use of AI in the cultural sector. According to Weckerle, AI was used to disseminate cultural content - today it is used to produce it. This is leading to changes that are revolutionizing the industry. Switzerland is still underdeveloped in the creative tech sector, with Weckerle pointing to a lack of collaboration at all levels. He also emphasized the importance of developing a Swiss strategic agenda for this area. There is therefore still a lot of room for progress. Giulia Lumina, ESG and Sustainability Manager at Andersen Tax and Consulting AG, explained how AI is helping them to achieve their goals.

Maria Grazia Giuffreda, Vice Director of the Swiss Center for Scientific Computing (CSCS), and Michele de Lorenzi, Deputy Director, gave an exclusive insight into the possibilities of the new Ticino center and its supercomputer "Alps", which opens its doors on September 14. The supercomputer will act as a catalyst for technological progress in the fields of artificial intelligence, machine learning and trustworthy infrastructure. Both emphasized the central role of the supercomputer as an element of trust, innovation and collaboration in Switzerland.

Joining forces

The event ended with a panel discussion on how important it is for Swiss regions to join forces in the age of AI and what obstacles need to be overcome. Milena Folletti, Digital Transformation Officer of the Canton of Ticino, Sophie Hundertmark, Consultant for GenAI and Bots, and Marco Zaffalon exchanged views on this topic. The discussion revealed that increased cooperation pools resources, drives innovation and strengthens confidence and Switzerland's global competitiveness. However, obstacles such as regional autonomy, a lack of public-private partnerships and differing legislation are slowing down progress.

The President of the State Council of the Canton of Ticino, Christian Vitta, concluded the discussion with the following topics: the progress that artificial intelligence has made possible in all sectors, the role that Ticino has played in technological innovation and the need for large-scale interregional cooperation.

Source: digitalswitzerland

Medical disposables - from gloves and blood bags to surgical equipment - generate enormous amounts of waste these days. At best, this waste is incinerated, but in many countries it ends up in landfills and can also end up in the environment. The COVID pandemic has contributed to an avalanche-like increase in the use of disposables. It is estimated that in 2022, used face masks alone will weigh around 2,641 tons per day worldwide - a huge mountain of plastic.

Thermochemical recycling as a solution

Medical waste is often overlooked in the discussion about the circular economy. Disposable medical items are usually made of various plastics that cannot be recycled with current technology. In addition, the items are considered contaminated after use and therefore need to be handled in a way that avoids the risk of spreading potential infections. It is also not possible to use recycled plastic in the manufacture of disposable healthcare items, as the requirements for the purity and quality of materials for medical use are very high.

All of these problems can be solved with the new method developed by Chalmers researchers. The technology is called "thermochemical recycling" and is based on a process called "steam cracking". The waste is broken down by mixing it with sand at temperatures of up to 800 degrees Celsius. The plastic molecules are then broken down and converted into a gas that contains building blocks for new plastic. "You can compare it to a thermal sledgehammer that smashes the molecules and destroys bacteria and other microorganisms at the same time," says Martin Seemann, Associate Professor at the Chalmers Division of Energy Technology. "What remains are various types of carbon and hydrocarbon compounds. These can then be separated and used in the petrochemical industry to replace fossil fuels currently used in production."

Great potential for saving valuable chemicals

To test the technology in practice, the researchers carried out two different projects in parallel in a test facility at Chalmers Power Central. In the first project, a number of different product types, such as face masks and plastic gloves, were subjected to the process. In the second project, a mixture was created that represented the average composition of hospital waste from the region's hospitals. The mixture contained around ten different plastic materials as well as cellulose.

The results of both projects were consistently positive, which shows the great potential of the technology. One of the projects was led by Judith González-Arias, who now works at the University of Seville in Spain. "What makes this technology so exciting is its ability to tackle the environmental problems we associate with disposable medical products. Thermochemical recycling not only addresses the problem of medical waste not being recycled today, but also enables the recovery of valuable carbon atoms. This is fully in line with the principles of the circular economy and offers a sustainable solution to the urgent problem of medical waste disposal," says Judith González-Arias.

The only option for products with strict requirements

Many manufacturers of materials for the healthcare sector are now very interested in creating a circular model in which products can be recycled and reused in a closed loop. However, materials to be used in sterile healthcare items have strict purity and quality requirements that basically cannot be met with sorting and mechanical recycling of plastics. With thermochemical recycling, however, it would be possible.

"It's really the only way to return this type of waste to the cycle," says Martin Seemann. "It's so elegant that the chemical industry can turn the material back into new material after it has been broken down to the molecular level." And he sees even more potential: "The same strict requirements for purity and quality actually also apply to food packaging. For this reason, most of the plastic collected from packaging is currently incinerated or recycled into items for which a lower quality is permitted."

The two projects build on Chalmers' previous research, which has shown how mixed plastic waste can be converted into raw material for new plastic products of the highest possible quality.

The technology works, but other factors also come into play

In order to spread the method, new material flows and functioning business models need to be developed in cooperation between the health and recycling sectors. Laws and regulations may also need to be changed at various levels in order for thermochemical recycling to become established in society. "Certain policy decisions would increase the value of plastic waste as a raw material for industry and increase the chances of creating viable circular business models around this type of recycling. For example, an obligation to capture carbon dioxide when incinerating plastics would create incentives to invest in more energy-efficient alternative technologies like ours instead," says Martin Seemann.

In many countries, the technical requirements for recycling medical waste and other mixed plastic waste through steam cracking are in place. However, the regulations and structural conditions vary, which determines how the players in waste management, the chemical industry and product manufacturing must work together to create functioning value chains in different parts of the world.

Source: Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden