Planned legislation to implement the Council of Europe Framework Convention on AI (no consultation draft published as of this check)

Summary

Switzerland has no AI-specific statute. On February 12, 2025, the Federal Council decided to ratify the Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and to make the amendments to Swiss law that ratification requires, while continuing sector-specific work in areas such as healthcare and transport. Switzerland signed the Convention on March 27, 2025; ratification needs parliamentary approval and may face an optional referendum. The Federal Department of Justice and Police, with the environment, transport, energy and communications department and the foreign affairs department, is drafting the bill, which is expected to go to consultation by the end of 2026 and to cover transparency, data protection, non-discrimination and oversight. Non-binding measures such as industry self-commitments are being developed in parallel.

Key dates

1. February 12, 2025Key date
2. October 16, 2026Checked against sources
3. October 21, 2026Checked against sources

Developments are added when the record is reviewed. Next review: January 15, 2027.

Evidence

Each passage is quoted from its source. The quoted passages are re-checked against the live pages every month.

1. Bern, 12.2.2025 – Switzerland intends to ratify the Council of Europe Convention on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and to make the necessary amendments to Swiss law.

   Supports: Federal Council decision of February 12, 2025

   AI regulation: Federal Council to ratify Council of Europe Convention Swiss Federal Council Primary source

2. On March 27, 2025, the AI Convention was signed by Switzerland. 3 Its ratification is subject to parliamentary approval.

   Supports: Signature date; ratification needs Parliament

   This draft bill is expected to be submitted for consultation by the end of 2026.

   Supports: Consultation draft timing

   AI Watch: Global regulatory tracker – Switzerland White & Case LLP Reporting or analysis

3. broadly welcomed the Federal Council's approach of developing a legal framework while at the same time promoting measures that are not legally binding.

   Supports: Two-track approach (legal framework plus non-binding measures), February 2026

   Digital Switzerland Advisory Board: Measures to implement the Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence Swiss Federal Chancellery Primary source