© 2026 EPFL AI Center - Nicolas Machado
AI is making its way into every aspect of our lives, but how ready are we to adopt it, and under what conditions? A report published in French by the EPFL AI Center, in collaboration with the University of Geneva, presents both the perceptions of a sample of French-speaking population of Switzerland and the recommendations of a citizen's assembly.
Massive use, despite serious concerns about cyberattacks, deepfakes, and privacy: this is the paradox that emerged from a citizens' assembly asked to reflect on their attitudes towards artificial intelligence. Initiated by the EPFL AI Center, in collaboration with the Swiss Research Center on Democratic Innovations at the University of Geneva and the Demoscan association, this unprecedented process has resulted in the publication of its final report in French and German. It contains 20 concrete proposals to regulate and support the deployment of AI. In short: AI is a good servant but a bad master.
"AI is one of the most significant technological transformations of our time. Its rapid development affects work, health, education, privacy and democratic life" says Marcel Salathé, co-director of the EPFL AI Center. "Given the scale of these issues, the report reminds us that it is essential for citizens to be able to express themselves and help shape the future of this technology, rather than simply suffering from its effects."
A two-step approach
This document is the result of two complementary initiatives. First, a survey supported by the Swiss Federal Statistical Office collected the views of 734 residents from the French-speaking regions of Switzerland. The questionnaire focused mainly on the uses and public perceptions of AI.
Among the respondents who expressed interest, 40 citizens were selected to form a diverse panel (canton, age, education level, political interest). The assembly then met over two weekends in November to discuss, debate and deliberate. The process was designed and conducted by the Demoscan association which oversaw the methodology and facilitation, guided by a central principle of neutrality, fostering an informed and balanced discussion.
"Democracy is not limited to the ballot box. A citizens' assembly is a mechanism that transforms intuitive opinion into reflective judgment: participants have enough time, receive relevant information, work within a neutral framework for debate, and produce argued proposals" says Nenad Stojanović, Professor at the University of Geneva and co-founder of Demoscan.
Widespread adoption but strong expectations
