LEARNING SYSTEMS ARE TRANSFORMING ALL SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY AND SOCIETY

By leveraging the power of IT systems, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are changing the rules of our economy and society. Mobility, health, education, agriculture, trade, urban planning, finance, the military... The canton of Vaud has the resources and assets needed to excel in this virtual revolution.

The development of AI and machine learning has only just begun. Online, Twitter and Facebook are training their algorithms to identify fake news to reduce how many people are affected. In Los Alamos, New Mexico, researchers are using machine learning to better predict earthquakes. In California, oceanographers are using AI to analyze 52 million sounds made by cetaceans and gain a better understanding of their changing ocean populations. Each and every day, voice assistants like Alexa, Siri, and Cortana are learning by listening to the voices of Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft users.
 
Everywhere, artificial intelligence is expanding the potential of existing IT and new digital technologies. Many applications perform tasks that were impossible until recently, such as in the health-related fields. In 2016, the Watson supercomputer was able to detect leukemia in a Japanese patient and guide doctors to successful treatment, suggesting that AI could be capable of outperforming even the most experienced oncologists. For the medical sector alone, there is uncapped potential in imaging, neurology, dermatology, and more.

With China and the United States leading this global race, Switzerland and especially the canton of Vaud are well positioned to become one of the most exciting areas of Europe for AI, machine learning, and deep learning. Armed with expertise in areas like cybersecurity and digital technologies, the canton boasts assets that will attract investors and entrepreneurs, including a solid economic infrastructure, first-rate research, a central location in the heart of Europe, and a proven ability to transfer technology.