AI adoption impacts Swiss productivity and labor market

Artificial intelligence is increasingly impacting the Swiss economy and labor market. A model calculation by ZHAW suggests that AI could provide an additional productivity growth of 1.1% per year for the Zurich economy.

In the Canton of Zurich, there are signs of shifting employment patterns. Between October 2022 and June 2026, the number of job seekers in professions highly exposed to AI—such as software developers, office staff, and marketing professionals—increased by 118%. However, reports note that this increase cannot be attributed solely to AI, as economic trends and education levels also play roles. Conversely, employment has grown in roles where AI complements rather than replaces human labor, such as leadership and specialized engineering positions.

Nationally, approximately 39.1% of the Swiss working-age population uses generative AI tools, according to Microsoft’s AI Diffusion Report. While this is significantly higher than the global average of 18.8%, Switzerland ranks 14th globally, trailing leaders like the United Arab Emirates and Singapore. Additionally, 57% of Swiss companies are reported to be using AI, a figure that sits above the European average.