Digital Futures: AI and Cybersecurity

A space for increasing awareness, exchange experiences and identify courses of action to realize the opportunities and mitigate risks associated to the adoption of data-driven digital technologies. We will explore the dynamic landscape of AI, cybersecurity, governance, and trust. Together we will build enabling strategies to mitigate the risks posed by the rapid advancement of digital technologies. Let’s build together a safe, trustworthy digital future!

Program

Part 1: Creation of Digital Futures 

• Present and future of Cybersecurity – Martin Burkhart | Cyber Defence Campus
• Present and future of AI & arts – Paulina Zybinska | Interaction Designer, Zurich University of Arts 
• Present and future of AI & industry – Nikola Pascher | Mettler-Toledo International 

Part 2 – Moderated Panel: Enabling Digital Flourishing

• David Marti  | AI Programme Manager at Pour Demain 
• Raphaël Von Thiessen | Project Lead Innovation-Sandbox for AI, Canton of Zurich, Co-Founder, Momentum Collaboration
• Marisa Tschopp |  Researcher at scip AG, Chief Research Officer at Women in AI NPO, and Co-Chair of the IEEE Trust and Agency in AI Systems committee
• Monika Reif  |  Co-Head Safety Critical Systems Research Lab, IAMP, ZHAW 
• Host: Ricardo Chavarriaga | Head, CLAIRE Office Zurich, Group leader, Responsible AI Innovation, ZHAW

Registration (until 29 November) We are also happy to welcome spontaneous guests.

Organizer: CLAIRE Office Switzerland

Co-organizers: ZHAW digital, DIZH 

Meet the host

Ricardo Chavarriaga | Head, CLAIRE Office Zurich 

Group leader, Responsible AI Innovation, ZHAW

Dr Chavarriaga leads the Responsible AI Innovation group at at the Center for Artificial Intelligence of the Zürich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) and is the head of the Swiss office of the Confederation of Laboratories for AI Research in Europe (CLAIRE). His work is focused on leveraging neuroscience, AI, and ethics for advancing responsible innovation and governance of human-centered technology

Meet our Speakers

Martin Burkhart | Cyber Defence Campus

Dr. Martin Burkhart is a scientific project manager at the Cyber-Defence Campus. Before joining the CYD Campus in 2023, he was head of product management for the Airlock security products. He earned a PhD at ETH Zurich, researching network data privacy and applications of secure multiparty computation.

Find out more about the Swiss Cybersecurity Landscape:  have a look at their recent study.

Paulina Zybinska | Interaction Designer, Zurich University of Arts 

Paulina Zybinska is a creative technologist, with a primary focus on Arts in Machine Learning. During her daytime role as a research associate at ZHdK, she explores the practical implications of Deepfakes in VR mental health therapy. After hours, she is engaged in independent projects, spanning media installations, creative coding, and live visuals with Reckless Collective. She also plays a key role in fostering community through organising Live Coding Events and offering free workshop on TouchDesigner. 

Nikola Pascher | Mettler-Toledo International 

Dr. Nikola Pascher is an experienced technology and innovation manager, specialized in data science for digital solutions and high-precision measurement instrumentation. Currently, she is the global head of Mettler Toledo’s R&D team in the strategic business unit standard industry. She studied physics at the University of Augsburg in Germany. Her PhD studies at ETH Zurich, Switzerland, and a consecutive postdoctoral assignment at IBM Research – Zurich were focused on quantum science. She extended her knowledge with an Executive MBA from the University of St. Gallen. Her passion lies in harnessing breakthrough technologies, particularly in applying data science throughout the technology stack, from sensors to the cloud, for substantial and sustainable value creation. 

Meet our Panel

David Marti  | AI Programme Manager at Pour Demain 

David is the AI Programme Manager at Pour Demain, a Swiss think tank working at the interface of technology and policy. In dialogue with science, politics, civil society and industry, he develops AI policy recommendations on a national and international level. David has a background in physics, data science and technology policy. 

Raphaël Von Thiessen | Project Lead Innovation-Sandbox for AI, Canton of Zurich, Co-Founder, Momentum Collaboration

Raphael von Thiessen delivers projects in technology and innovation. As an editor for the think tank W.I.R.E., he published multiple books such as Decoding Artificial Intelligence (NZZ Libro 2020). In his current role as a project lead of the innovation-sandbox for artificial intelligence, he develops competencies in regulation, data management and innovation within the public administration. He is Co-Founder of Momentum Collaboration, a strategy and innovation consulting firm that enables organizations and people to grow together. 

Marisa Tschopp |  Researcher at scip AG, Chief Research Officer at Women in AI NPO, and Co-Chair of the IEEE Trust and Agency in AI Systems committee

Marisa Tschopp, a researcher at scip AG and Chief Research Officer at Women in AI NPO, investigates AI’s psychological aspects and ethical implications. As Co-Chair of the IEEE Trust and Agency in AI Systems committee, she focuses on trust, conversational AI, agency, leadership, and gender equality. With a background in organizational psychology, Marisa is a global speaker, contributing to media and academic publications. Holding a Master’s in Psychology of Excellence in Business and Education, she explores human-machine relationships as an associate researcher at the Leibniz Institut für Wissensmedien

Monika Reif  |  Co-Head Safety Critical Systems Research Lab, IAMP, ZHAW 

Professor Monika Reif is co-head of the Safety Critical Systems Research Lab at the ZHAW School of Engineering. She holds a diploma in mechanical engineering and obtained her PhD in reliability engineering from the University of Stuttgart, being awarded the VDI Ehrenring. Her professional background includes extensive experience as a safety engineer at BMW and Bombardier Transportation. During her tenure at ZHAW, she has been involved in numerous research projects in the field of safety critical systems in collaboration with various companies and authorities. A major focus of her research is dedicated to the development, verification and certification of safe AI systems, with the aim of establishing trustworthy AI systems in safety critical applications.