AI Talk - The AI Landscape in Switzerland

Shaping the Future of AI – With SwissCognitive’s Dalith Steiger-Gablinger

How does Artificial Intelligence transform industries, societies, and our daily lives? In this episode, we talk to Dalith Steiger-Gablinger, a pioneering voice in the global AI landscape and Co-Founder of SwissCognitive. Dalith shares her personal journey from mathematics and banking software to international AI advocacy. We explore how SwissCognitive supports companies, startups, and investors in developing meaningful AI strategies — and why it’s crucial to focus on people, culture, and collaboration, not just technology. Tune in for thought-provoking insights on AI’s role in driving innovation, the importance of responsible leadership in tech, and what it takes to shape a future where humans and machines thrive together. Host: Stephan Lendi | LinkedIn [http://www.linkedin.com/in/slendi] Guest: Dalith Steiger-Gablinger | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dalith-steiger/] Powered by Newbury Media & Swiss Cognitive Supported by Swiss ICT and Innovation Zurich About Innovation Zurich Innovation Zurich is your gateway to Zurich’s innovation landscape. Meet the people, projects, and ideas shaping the future – and see why the Canton of Zurich is a top location for tech, science, and entrepreneurship in Europe: innovation.zuerich [https://innovation.zuerich] About swissICT swissICT is Switzerland’s largest ICT association, connecting users, providers, and individuals across the tech ecosystem. Since 1955, it has supported the digital development of Switzerland through networking, knowledge sharing, and policy engagement. swissict.ch [http://www.swissict.ch]

The Rise of AI Agents: IBM’s Vision for a New Digital Workforce

Guest: Markus Danhel, IBM Client Engineering Executive & AI Thought Leader Co-host: Dalith Steiger-Gablinger Host: Stephan LendiPodigee We’ve heard of AI models, copilots, and assistants. But what if the next frontier is AI agents – digital collaborators with autonomy and initiative?In this episode of AI Talk, we speak with Markus Danhel, Client Engineering Executive at IBM, about the evolution of enterprise AI. Markus unpacks the rise of intelligent agents, IBM’s vision for hybrid AI architectures, and what it means to create systems that not only support but act.Together with co-host Dalith Steiger-Gablinger, we explore the future of work, the ethics of autonomous agents, and the infrastructure needed to make this vision a reality.Whether you're leading tech transformation or just trying to keep up, this episode offers a strategic view on how AI is reshaping the enterprise from the inside out. In this episode: * What AI agents are and how they differ from assistants or copilots * IBM’s approach to building trusted, scalable enterprise AI * The role of governance, ethics, and explainability * Why hybrid cloud and open ecosystems matter for AI innovation * What leaders need to understand to prepare for the next AI wave Host: Stephan Lendi | LinkedIn [http://www.linkedin.com/in/slendi] Co-Host: Dalith Steiger-Gablinger | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dalith-steiger/] Powered by Newbury Media & Swiss Cognitive Supported by Swiss ICT and Innovation Zurich About Innovation Zurich Innovation Zurich is your gateway to Zurich’s innovation landscape. Meet the people, projects, and ideas shaping the future – and see why the Canton of Zurich is a top location for tech, science, and entrepreneurship in Europe: innovation.zuerich [https://innovation.zuerich] About swissICT swissICT is Switzerland’s largest ICT association, connecting users, providers, and individuals across the tech ecosystem. Since 1955, it has supported the digital development of Switzerland through networking, knowledge sharing, and policy engagement. swissict.ch [http://www.swissict.ch]

Backing AI Startups: What Investors Really Look For

Guest: Dr. Thomas Dübendorfer, President of SICTIC (Swiss ICT Investor Club) What makes an AI startup truly investable – and what mistakes should founders avoid?In this episode of AI Talk, we speak with Thomas Dübendorfer, President of SICTIC, Switzerland’s leading angel investor network for digital startups. With decades of experience in tech and entrepreneurship, Thomas shares what he and other investors are really looking for when it comes to AI ventures.Together with co-host Dalith Steiger-Gablinger, we talk about market timing, deep tech readiness, and founder credibility. We explore why traction alone isn’t enough, how to build trust with investors, and what sets Swiss AI startups apart in a global arena.Whether you're pitching or investing, this conversation offers valuable insights on where AI innovation and capital intersect. In this episode: * What makes an AI startup attractive to angel investors * The key traits successful founders share * Common red flags in AI startup pitches * Why Switzerland is uniquely positioned in the global AI race * Tips for bridging the gap between innovation and investability Host: Stephan Lendi | LinkedIn [http://www.linkedin.com/in/slendi] Co-Host: Dalith Steiger-Gablinger | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dalith-steiger/] Powered by Newbury Media & Swiss Cognitive Supported by Swiss ICT and Innovation Zurich About Innovation Zurich Innovation Zurich is your gateway to Zurich’s innovation landscape. Meet the people, projects, and ideas shaping the future – and see why the Canton of Zurich is a top location for tech, science, and entrepreneurship in Europe: innovation.zuerich [https://innovation.zuerich] About swissICT swissICT is Switzerland’s largest ICT association, connecting users, providers, and individuals across the tech ecosystem. Since 1955, it has supported the digital development of Switzerland through networking, knowledge sharing, and policy engagement. swissict.ch [http://www.swissict.ch]

Is AI Hiring or Replacing? Talent Trends in a Shifting Market

Guest: Klaus Fuchs, Founder & CEO of Rockstar.jobs Is AI really taking jobs – or is it just changing who gets hired?In this episode of AI Talk, we speak with Klaus Fuchs, founder and CEO of Rockstar.jobs, about the evolving job market in tech. With fewer job openings, a noticeable shift from junior to senior roles, and growing questions about AI’s impact on employment, this is a moment of reckoning for hiring and talent strategies.Together with co-host Dalith Steiger-Gablinger, we explore how companies are redefining their hiring priorities, why generalist skills and adaptability are more important than ever, and what professionals need to focus on next.We also dive into how recruiters and companies can future-proof their workforce in the age of automation, and why the conversation isn’t about fear – but preparation. In this episode: * What the hiring data reveals about AI’s impact on jobs * How job requirements are shifting in tech and beyond * The drop in junior roles and rise of senior-focused recruitment * Skills that matter most now – and why adaptability is key * Advice for talent leaders navigating an uncertain market Host: Stephan Lendi | LinkedIn [http://www.linkedin.com/in/slendi] Co-Host: Dalith Steiger-Gablinger | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dalith-steiger/] About Klaus Fuchs: Klaus Fuchs is CTO at Rockstar Recruiting, a deep tech recruiting agency in Switzerland and Germany. He is also the CEO of SwissDevJobs, Switzerland's most transparent tech job board with over 100 000 visitors a month. Previously, he served as Director for Industry Collaboration at the ETH AI Center, where he focused on bridging AI research and real-world applications. He now channels that expertise into building AI-powered recruiting tools. In his free time, you’ll find him skiing in the Alps. Powered by Newbury Media & Swiss Cognitive Supported by Swiss ICT and Innovation Zurich About Innovation Zurich Innovation Zurich is your gateway to Zurich’s innovation landscape. Meet the people, projects, and ideas shaping the future – and see why the Canton of Zurich is a top location for tech, science, and entrepreneurship in Europe: innovation.zuerich [https://innovation.zuerich] About swissICT swissICT is Switzerland’s largest ICT association, connecting users, providers, and individuals across the tech ecosystem. Since 1955, it has supported the digital development of Switzerland through networking, knowledge sharing, and policy engagement. swissict.ch [http://www.swissict.ch]

Robots on Subscription: Rethinking Automation for SMEs

Guest: Nimrod Malinas, CEO & Co-Founder of Robonnement How do you bring advanced robotics to businesses that thought they couldn’t afford it? In this episode of AI Talk, we meet Nimrod Malinas, the Swiss-Israeli founder behind Robonnement, a startup that offers robots as a subscription service. With a bold RaaS (Robots-as-a-Service) model, Robonnement helps small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) access automation without massive upfront costs.Together with co-host Dalith Steiger-Gablinger, we explore how Robonnement deploys flexible, modular robots in industries like manufacturing, food service, and logistics – and how automation can be democratized without overwhelming smaller businesses.From appearing on TV shows to landing on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, Nimrod shares what it takes to change how people think about robots, scale a startup across Europe, and tackle the labor shortage with tech. In this episode: * What is Robonnement and how does the subscription model work? * Challenges of selling robotics to SMEs * Why simplicity and service are key to RaaS * Insights from scaling operations in Switzerland and Germany * What the future of work and automation looks like – beyond the factory floor Host: Stephan Lendi | LinkedIn [http://www.linkedin.com/in/slendi] Co-Host: Dalith Steiger-Gablinger | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dalith-steiger/] Powered by Newbury Media & Swiss Cognitive Supported by Swiss ICT and Innovation Zurich About Innovation Zurich Innovation Zurich is your gateway to Zurich’s innovation landscape. Meet the people, projects, and ideas shaping the future – and see why the Canton of Zurich is a top location for tech, science, and entrepreneurship in Europe: innovation.zuerich [https://innovation.zuerich] About swissICT swissICT is Switzerland’s largest ICT association, connecting users, providers, and individuals across the tech ecosystem. Since 1955, it has supported the digital development of Switzerland through networking, knowledge sharing, and policy engagement. swissict.ch [http://www.swissict.ch]