Swiss IGF to tackle AI and digital sovereignty

The Swiss Internet Governance Forum will hold its 2026 meeting in Bern on 16 June, with discussions covering AI governance, cybersecurity, digital sovereignty, digital public infrastructure, platform regulation, and other internet governance issues.

The eleventh Swiss IGF will take place at Welle 7 and online, with registration open until 9 June. The forum is now organised by the Swiss Internet & Digital Governance Association, which describes itself as a neutral multistakeholder platform for internet and digital governance in Switzerland.

The draft programme includes sessions on digital sovereignty, cybersecurity and resilience, AI governance and regulation, digital work and education, e-government and democracy, AI and sustainability, digital public infrastructure, and platform regulation and child protection.

The programme also includes a lightning talk on the road to the Geneva 2027 AI Summit, linking the national forum to broader discussions on global AI governance.

The Swiss IGF is part of the wider UN Internet Governance Forum process, while EuroDIG serves as the regional European forum within that ecosystem. The 2026 Swiss IGF will conclude with the presentation of ‘Messages from Berne’ and contributions from the Swiss Youth IGF.

The Swiss Youth IGF will take place in Bern on 13 June as a capacity-building activity linked to the year-round IGF process. It provides an open platform for young people in Switzerland to discuss internet governance and develop messages and projects. The youth forum will focus on digital literacy, safety, and well-being, including generative AI, social media, and influence culture.

Why does it matter?

The Swiss IGF agenda reflects how national internet governance discussions are increasingly centred on AI governance, digital sovereignty, cybersecurity, platform regulation, and digital public infrastructure. Its link to the Geneva 2027 AI Summit also positions the Swiss debate within broader global discussions on AI governance and the future of multistakeholder internet governance.

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