AI Talk - The AI Landscape in Switzerland

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Stephan Lendi with Dalith Steiger-Gablinger

7 episodes

5 months ago

AI Talk is the podcast for anyone who wants to shape Artificial Intelligence — not just follow it.

Host Stephan Lendi speaks with top Swiss voices from technology, business, science, and policy to explore how AI is transforming our world. From real-world use cases to ethical challenges, the conversations dive deep – always with a focus on impact, trust, and people. Together with co-host Dalith Steiger-Gablinger of SwissCognitive, AI Talk delivers sharp perspectives and meaningful dialogue for a global innovation audience.

Topics: AI strategy, robotics, leadership, ethics, education, economy, regulation, startups & scaleups

From Switzerland – with global relevance.

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

All content for AI Talk - The AI Landscape in Switzerland is the property of Stephan Lendi with Dalith Steiger-Gablinger and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

Episodes (7/7)

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
Guest: Dalith Steiger-Gablinger | LinkedIn

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

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

5 months ago

17 minutes

AI Talk - The AI Landscape in Switzerland

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
Co-Host: Dalith Steiger-Gablinger | LinkedIn

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

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

5 months ago

21 minutes

AI Talk - The AI Landscape in Switzerland

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

5 months ago

22 minutes

AI Talk - The AI Landscape in Switzerland

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

5 months ago

24 minutes

AI Talk - The AI Landscape in Switzerland

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

5 months ago

31 minutes

AI Talk - The AI Landscape in Switzerland

Designing Intelligence: How Artifact Builds AI Products That Actually Work

Designing Intelligence: How Artifact Builds AI Products That Actually Work

Guest: Michael Wegmüller, Co-Founder of Artifact
Co-host: Dalith Steiger-Gablinger
Host: Stephan Lendi

What makes a good AI product actually work in the real world? It’s not just about models and infrastructure – it’s about interfaces, intuition, and end-to-end product thinking. In this episode of AI Talk, we delve into Artifact, a fast-growing startup from Switzerland that's helping the next generation of teams turn AI into practical, daily-use tools. We speak to co-founder Michael Wegmüller about what makes AI useful, what most teams still get wrong – and how to build products that go beyond hype.

We discuss:

What Artifact does and the problems they are solving
The difference between building AI models and building AI products
Why UX and integration are often more important than model performance
Examples of AI in action: Artifact success stories
Advice for startups and corporates: What to focus on next

Tune in to gain insights into building AI products that truly deliver value.

6 months ago

23 minutes

AI Talk - The AI Landscape in Switzerland

Robert MacKenzie – Scaling Robots with Purpose

Robert MacKenzie – Scaling Robots with Purpose

Language: English

How do you scale from a robotic prototype to 200+ autonomous machines working across the globe? In this episode, we talk to Robert MacKenzie, former CPO & CTO of ANYbotics, about what it takes to turn complex AI-powered technology into real-world impact — from industrial stair-climbing robots to fully autonomous inspection systems. Together with co-host Dalith Steiger-Gablinger, we explore AI, mobility, scaling deep tech companies, and what it means to lead at the intersection of people, product, and purpose.

Topics include:
✅ Robotics & AI in the field
✅ ANYmal’s industrial journey
✅ Product leadership in scale-ups
✅ Purpose-driven innovation
✅ The future of autonomous systems

Host: Stephan Lendi
Co-Host: Dalith Steiger-Gablinger

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

6 months ago

22 minutes