Frameworks · Switzerland

AI governance frameworks and AI regulation in Switzerland

Switzerland governs AI through existing, technology-neutral law. The Federal Act on Data Protection applies directly to AI and sets rules for automated decisions, FINMA sets expectations for financial institutions, and the Federal Council is preparing targeted changes to ratify the Council of Europe AI Convention. These are the instruments that apply to Swiss organisations, with the international standards most of them build on.

Who regulates AI here

Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC)Supervises the Federal Act on Data Protection and has said it applies directly to AI-supported data processing.
Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA)Supervises banks, insurers and other financial institutions and sets its AI governance expectations in Guidance 08/2024.
Federal ChancelleryCoordinates AI across the federal administration and has hosted the central AI contact point since 1 February 2026.
Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM)Leads the drafting of the non-binding measures that complement the planned AI regulation and publishes the AI guidelines for the Confederation.

Switzerland

Switzerland governs AI through its technology-neutral data protection law and FINMA guidance for financial institutions, with targeted amendments planned to ratify the Council of Europe AI Convention.

LawFADP Article 21Swiss FADP Article 21 and automated individual decisionsArticle 21 of the Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection requires notice, a hearing and human review for automated decisions. What it means for AI.In force since 1 September 2023 Regulator guidanceFINMA Guidance 08/2024FINMA Guidance 08/2024: governance and risk management when using AIFINMA Guidance 08/2024 sets out what FINMA expects of Swiss banks, insurers and other supervised firms using AI, from an AI inventory to independent review.Current, published December 2024

All Switzerland frameworks

European Union

The EU AI Act sets risk-based obligations for AI placed on the EU market or used in the EU, alongside the GDPR's rules on automated decisions.

LawEU AI ActEU AI Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1689)The EU AI Act sets risk-based rules for AI used in the EU. What it requires of providers and deployers, and the dates as amended by the 2026 Digital Omnibus.In force, applying in stages to 2028In Aicura from Enterprise LawGDPR Article 22GDPR Article 22 and automated decision-makingGDPR Article 22 limits solely automated decisions with legal or similarly significant effects. Who it applies to, the exceptions, safeguards and AI duties.In force since May 2018, amendment proposed Voluntary frameworkGPAI Code of PracticeGeneral-Purpose AI Code of PracticeThe EU GPAI Code of Practice is how model providers show they meet AI Act duties on transparency, copyright and systemic risk. What it covers and who signs.Published July 2025, in use Voluntary frameworkTrustworthy AI and ALTAIEthics Guidelines for Trustworthy AI and the Assessment List (ALTAI)The EU's Ethics Guidelines for Trustworthy AI set seven requirements, and ALTAI turns them into a self-assessment checklist. What they cover and who uses it.Published 2019 and 2020, voluntary

All European Union frameworks

International

Standards and frameworks that apply across borders. Most organisations use one of these as the backbone of their AI governance, whatever their jurisdiction.

StandardISO/IEC 42001ISO/IEC 42001:2023 AI management systemsISO/IEC 42001 is the certifiable international standard for an AI management system. What it requires, how Annex A works and how to get ready to certify.Published December 2023, current editionIn Aicura from Pro StandardISO/IEC 42005ISO/IEC 42005:2025 AI system impact assessmentISO/IEC 42005 is international guidance on assessing how an AI system affects people and society, when to assess, what to record and how it links to 42001.Published May 2025, current edition Voluntary frameworkNIST AI RMFNIST AI Risk Management Framework (AI RMF 1.0)The NIST AI RMF is a voluntary framework for managing AI risk through four functions, Govern, Map, Measure and Manage. What it asks and who uses it worldwide.Version 1.0 current, revision under wayIn Aicura from Pro Voluntary frameworkNIST Generative AI ProfileNIST AI RMF Generative AI Profile (NIST AI 600-1)NIST AI 600-1 applies the AI Risk Management Framework to generative AI. Its 12 risks, the suggested actions behind them and who uses the profile and why.Final, published July 2024 StandardISO/IEC 23894ISO/IEC 23894:2023 Guidance on AI risk managementISO/IEC 23894 adapts the ISO 31000 risk process to AI. What the guidance covers, its AI risk sources and lifecycle mapping, and how it fits with ISO 42001.Published February 2023, current edition StandardISO/IEC 38507ISO/IEC 38507:2022 Governance implications of the use of AI by organizationsISO/IEC 38507 is guidance for boards on governing an organisation's use of AI. What it asks of directors, how it links to ISO/IEC 38500 and who uses it.Published April 2022, current edition Voluntary frameworkOECD AI PrinciplesOECD Recommendation of the Council on Artificial Intelligence (OECD AI Principles)The OECD AI Principles are the intergovernmental standard for trustworthy AI, adopted 2019 and revised 2024. The five principles and how to apply them.Adopted May 2019, revised May 2024 Voluntary frameworkHUDERIAHUDERIA: Risk and impact assessment of AI systems for human rights, democracy and the rule of lawHUDERIA is the Council of Europe's method for assessing AI risks to human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Its four elements, scoring and who uses it.Methodology and Model adopted, non-binding LawCouncil of Europe AI ConventionCouncil of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law (CETS No. 225)The Council of Europe AI Convention is the first binding international treaty on AI. Who has signed and ratified, what it asks of parties and when it applies.Open for signature, not yet in force Voluntary frameworkG7 Hiroshima Code of ConductHiroshima Process International Code of Conduct for Organizations Developing Advanced AI SystemsThe G7 Hiroshima Code of Conduct sets 11 voluntary actions for advanced AI developers, with OECD HAIP reporting. What it asks and who reports under HAIP 2.0.Voluntary, reporting framework v2.0 live Voluntary frameworkUNESCO AI Ethics RecommendationUNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial IntelligenceUNESCO's Recommendation on the Ethics of AI is the global standard its member states adopted in 2021. Its values, principles and Ethical Impact Assessment.Adopted November 2021

All International frameworks

Questions

Does Switzerland have an AI law?

Not a standalone one. Swiss organisations govern AI under existing law, most directly the Federal Act on Data Protection, whose Article 21 covers automated individual decisions. The Federal Council plans sector-specific amendments to implement the Council of Europe AI Convention.

Will Switzerland copy the EU AI Act?

No. The Federal Council decided in February 2025 to ratify the Council of Europe AI Convention and amend Swiss law where needed, mostly sector by sector, rather than adopt an EU-style horizontal AI law.

Does the EU AI Act apply to Swiss companies?

It can. It reaches providers outside the EU that place AI on the EU market, and providers and deployers outside the EU whose AI output is used in the EU.

Is FINMA Guidance 08/2024 mandatory?

It does not create new legal obligations. It explains how FINMA's existing supervisory requirements apply to AI, and FINMA uses it in supervision, so supervised institutions should expect to be asked how they meet it.

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