Swiss President Guy Parmelin supports an AI governance framework that does not rely on a single tool and calls for the establishment of social norms to guide users. Excerpts from TOI interview:How should countries respond Artificial Intelligence Regulation? Will a new agency need to be established? Will regulators stifle AI innovation and development, but how to deal with challenges such as deepfakes?Over the past 200 years, humanity has established thousands of legal, technical and social norms to “regulate” the development and use of engines in a large number of different machines and vehicles with varying degrees of coordination depending on the specific context of use. Like engines, we believe that AI cannot be “regulated” by a single tool, but we need to develop a governance framework composed of multiple tools to cover different aspects of AI development and use. Therefore, Switzerland is actively promoting the development of technical standards for AI, binding and non-binding legal instruments, such as the recommendations of UNESCO or the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) and the Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence, which was developed by 55 countries around the world and is the first binding international treaty on AI. But we also need social and cultural norms to guide our use of AI in specific contexts.Switzerland holds the OSCE chairmanship for the third time this year. In this capacity, what measures would you recommend to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine? Also, what do you think of India’s efforts to promote a ceasefire and resume dialogue and diplomacy between the two sides?In line with the first priority of its OSCE Chairmanship (“Helsinki Principles – Towards a Lasting Peace”), Switzerland is committed to achieving a just peace in Ukraine on the basis of international law and the Helsinki Principles. Federation Councilor Ignazio Cassis, in his capacity as OSCE Chairman-in-Office, visited Kiev (February 2) and Moscow (February 5-6) together with the OSCE Secretary-General to engage in dialogue and ensure that all relevant actors understand what contribution the OSCE can make in the context of a negotiated settlement. Ultimately, it’s up to states to decide whether to use it.Trade turmoil over the past year? How much buffer do trade deals like with India provide?Free trade agreements such as the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) are an important tool, especially in these challenging times for trade policy. They enable the Swiss export industry to open up new markets and diversify. This strengthens Switzerland’s position as a location for business and increases its ability to generate added value, create new jobs and retain existing jobs.Given the unilateral tariff actions of the past 10 months, with the power of the WTO completely weakened and bilateral trade agreements being signed around the world, what is the way forward?The WTO has long been under intense pressure, but despite institutional paralysis, some 74% of global trade still proceeds on most-favored-nation terms, underscoring the system’s continued relevance. It remains the only global body that oversees member countries’ trade measures and provides a permanent forum for dialogue among the 166 economies. Against a backdrop of heightened tensions and challenges to established rules, Switzerland will continue to advocate for multilateralism and support WTO reform to safeguard rules-based trade. WTO members generally share this view: they have repeatedly expressed a strong willingness to pursue meaningful reforms, especially in light of the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference.The global order is changing, whether it’s trade, reducing armaments or threatening or attacking other countries. Where are things going, is this a transitional phase?The international order is undergoing profound and far-reaching changes. Democracies around the world are under pressure. Tariffs are rising, trade deals are being scrapped, and international rules are being ignored. What prevails is not the rule of law but the rule of force. Joint solutions are sidelined by unilateral action. Great powers safeguarded their own interests, and some countries launched wars to restore old empires. So, today, we are at a turning point. This is a turning point between progress and regression, global cooperation and geopolitical competition. Between democratic resurgence and authoritarian relapse. We must actively shape this transformation. In this context, Switzerland is keen to diversify and deepen relations with democratic partners such as India, a supporter of international law and the rules-based international order with considerable global influence and influence.Some believe the immigration issue is overblown and that it is necessary to get people to help as Europe’s population declines. But immigrants face their own challenges, especially issues of adaptation and resistance. How do you balance the two when you see the backlash against certain immigrant groups?Switzerland recognizes that the movement of people is a global phenomenon. People have always sought opportunities and/or security in response to economic, social, political, security and environmental challenges. Fair, regular and safe migration can be a driver of sustainable development and economic resilience, growth and prosperity in countries of origin and destination. However, unsafe and irregular migration also poses risks and challenges, especially for young people and women. Switzerland, as a small but highly globalized country, has a strong interest in an international migration governance system that addresses the risks associated with unsafe migration and forced displacement, while harnessing the benefits that migration brings to the economy and people. To address challenges and seize opportunities, Swiss immigration foreign policy is characterized by partnerships with countries of origin, transit and destination.
