Co‑moderating our Global Lecture last week on “The Search for Life in the Universe” felt a bit like opening a window onto the cosmos. Together with my colleague Chris Luebkeman, we had the pleasure of welcoming two exceptional guests: Sir Pete Worden, Executive Director of the Breakthrough Initiatives, and Professor Sascha Quanz of ETH Zurich, who leads the visionary LIFE Space Mission.

In an hour that passed at orbital velocity, we explored what may be the most compelling question of all: 

“Are we alone?“

Pete Worden’s Cosmic Perspective

Sir Pete brought the kind of perspective only a career spent at the frontiers of astronomy, space policy, and technological disruption can provide. With characteristic wit, he framed the central dilemma quoting Arthur C. Clarke:

“Either we’re alone in the universe, or we’re not, and both possibilities are equally terrifying.”

Pete walked us through why the coming decades may finally allow us to resolve this dilemma. His work with the Breakthrough Initiatives spans the search for technosignatures, the development of next‑generation telescopes, and even early concepts for interstellar probes. A few of his points stayed with me:

• The nearest stars matter most. Alpha Centauri remains a scientific and symbolic target, close enough that one day a probe might realistically get there.
• Not all signals are created equal. He told the story of a supposed detection from Proxima Centauri: champagne briefly opened, only for the signal to be revealed as interference. A reminder that discovery requires rigour, patience and humility.
• The technological landscape is shifting fast. Private investment, falling launch costs, and rapid iteration are transforming space science. As Pete put it, much of what once looked like science fiction “now simply looks like a very ambitious engineering project”.

He also emphasised the value of asking daring questions. Could we one day use the Sun itself as a gravitational lens to image a distant world in detail? The idea sounds wildly futuristic, yet it is grounded in real physics. Listening to him, one had the sense that the horizon of the possible is still expanding.

The LIFE Mission: Reading the Heat of Other Worlds

Professor Quanz introduced LIFE, ETH Zurich’s bold proposal for a space observatory designed to detect the heat signatures of exoplanets in the mid‑infrared.

This technique would allow scientists to probe atmospheric composition, surface temperature and pressure, and other factors essential for assessing habitability. As he explained:

“Thermal emission lets us look much deeper into an atmosphere than reflected light ever can.”

If even one planet shows the right combination of gases or thermal patterns, it could point to biological processes. This would be a milestone that could reshape science and society.

When Finding Nothing Still Teaches Us Everything

One of the most thought‑provoking themes came from Professor Quanz: the scientific value of a “null result”.

Searching dozens of planets and finding no biosignatures would still tell us something profound about Earth’s rarity, resilience, and fragility.

“If you look at enough planets and still find no signatures of life, at some point you are no longer just unlucky; you have learned something fundamental.”

Pete agreed, noting that truly alien life may be so different from anything we can currently detect that we will only recognise it in hindsight.

A Journey That Outlasts Us All

Both speakers insisted that the search for life is more than a scientific challenge; it is a civilisational one. It spans disciplines, cultures, and generations. Sir Pete phrased it simply:

“This is our future… and we need everyone’s help.”

Moderating this conversation was a reminder of how powerful curiosity can be. In looking outward to the stars, we inevitably reflect inward on our own place in the universe, and the responsibilities we carry here on Earth.

Whether Earth 2.0 turns out to be just next door, or impossibly rare, the search itself is a unifying journey. And it has only just begun.

Check out the pictures from the event here: Meet ETH Flickr

And in case you missed it, watch the talk here:

I hope this glimpse encourages you to join us at a future event. I find that with our Global Lecture Series, we begin a new journey every time, giving ourselves pause to reflect on key topics on the global agenda and learning from individuals with remarkable clarity and foresight. I invite you all to come and join us!

My name is Tenzin and I am part of the inaugural cohort of the new Space Systems Master’s programme at ETH Zurich launched by Thomas Zurbuchen, former Head of Science at NASA. From the get-go, the programme has not been leaving room to breathe – and continued to challenge me throughout, even more so when I started my internship at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena!

The path has not been straightforward: the current political situation in the US has led to several stressful moments such as delayed Visa issuance, government shutdowns and layoffs at JPL due to budget cuts. Experiencing these circumstances firsthand, rather than through the news alone, provided a eye-opening insight into the realities faced by those living and working in the U.S. Throughout this period, I developed deep respect for the resilience and unwavering optimism displayed by the people at JPL, as well as for the strong sense of community and humility they upheld, particularly during challenging times.

Despite the situation, my four months at JPL have proven to be an exceptional learning experience: from numerical simulations of Venusquakes to field testing infrasound sensors to using advanced signal processing tools – each day brought new challenges and opportunities to learn! Contributing to a project involving an instrument that could potentially detect Venusquake was both exhilarating and rewarding. It taught me to tackle complicated problems without feeling (too) overwhelmed and that my insights and contributions are valued. I can confidently say that during my time at JPL I not only grew as a researcher, but as a person as well!

What will the cities of the future feel like? Will they be cooler, more resilient, more human, or simply bigger, faster, and hotter? According to ETH alumna Estefanía Tapias, no one has the answer. And that uncertainty is exactly what makes cities so fascinating.

In the latest episode of the We Are ETH podcast, host Susan Kish sits down with Estefanía, an architect, urban scientist, and Head of Smart & Digital for WSP in the Middle East, to explore her journey from Colombia to Zurich to Dubai and to understand how she is helping shape the cities of tomorrow in some of the world’s most extreme climates.

From Medellín to Zurich to Dubai: A Journey Shaped by Curiosity

Estefanía’s story began far from the desert skylines she works with today. Growing up in Colombia, she dreamed of becoming an artist. Architecture came next, followed by technology, data, and ultimately cities themselves.

“I’ve always been curious about cities,” she says. “How they evolve in 5, 10, 20 years… no one knows where we will be.”

That curiosity eventually brought her to ETH Zurich, where she completed her PhD under renowned professor Gerhard Schmitt at the Future Cities Laboratory. This pioneering hub blended urban science, technology, climate research, and design long before “smart cities” became a buzzword.

“For me, ETH was the perfect combination,” she recalls. “A visionary professor, a cutting-edge laboratory, and a city, Zurich, that I fell in love with at first sight.”

Those six months for her Master’s thesis turned into eight years. Zurich shaped not just her research but her life as well: “I ended up marrying a Swiss person. My daughter is Swiss. Everything came together very nicely.”

Why Dubai? A Laboratory for Big Ideas

Today, Estefanía works in Dubai, which she describes as similar to what Singapore felt like 15 years ago: a place buzzing with ambition, experimentation, and large-scale technological investment.

“There’s a momentum here,” she explains. “You see it in day-to-day life. They’re pushing innovation everywhere. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t, but that is simply part of building the future.”

She also points to Saudi Arabia, where entire cities are currently being built from scratch, something that no other region in the modern world is attempting at a comparable scale.

“In my lifetime, I will only have this opportunity once,” she says. “You learn from all the cities that came before, meaning what worked and what did not, and you apply it to a place being built from zero.”

Some projects succeed quietly. Others, such as The Line, have faced challenges. But even the difficult experiments matter.

“They pushed technology forward,” she says. “If it weren’t for these ambitious projects, the software and systems we use for city-building would not have advanced as quickly.”

When Heat Becomes the Challenge and the Teacher

Estefanía’s PhD focused on urban climate and sustainability long before she ever experienced what 45°C heat really feels like. “When I arrived in Dubai, the heat was unbearable. I thought: I cannot do this,” she laughs. “By my second summer, I realised I had adapted.”

Her research helped her recognise something essential:

Cities must adapt as well.

Extreme heat now shapes how cities must be designed, influencing shading, materials, energy systems, and public spaces. Traditional Gulf urbanism provides valuable clues, and technology offers new tools, yet people ultimately remain at the center.

“We need buildings that work with the environment instead of working against it through endless air conditioning,” she says. “There is so much opportunity to rethink how cities respond to heat.”

Why ETH? Vision, People, and a City That “Grew Organically”

When asked why she chose ETH Zurich for her PhD, Estefanía answers without hesitation: “It was the person I would work with, and it was also the city.”

Professor Schmitt’s vision shaped her academically. Zurich shaped her personally and professionally.

“It is modern but not too modern. It is technological but still full of culture. It is clean, safe, close to nature, and still very much a city,” she reflects. “It grew organically. It is still my favourite city in the world.”

Her perfect Zurich moment?

“A coffee by the lake, looking at the mountains full of snow.”

Advice to Young Urbanists: Move Where Cities are Moving

For students who dream of shaping cities, she offers the same advice she once received: “Go where things are happening. Don’t stay comfortable. Live in the places that are changing fast and learn from them.”

Her own path reflects that philosophy, moving from Turin to Zurich to Singapore and eventually to Dubai.

“It is easy to criticise from far away,” she says. “I wanted to come here, experience it, and solve problems instead of just pointing at them.”

Looking Ahead: The Future No One Can Predict

When asked what she is most curious about today, Estefanía lights up: “Future cities. How they evolve. How systems change. I wish I had a machine that took me 10 years forward and then brought me back.”

Until such a machine exists, she is helping build that future herself.

This article is based on We Are ETH, the podcast highlighting ETH Zurich alumni who are shaping science, industry, and society around the world. Listen to the full episode on your favourite platform.

What does it take for organisations and individuals to keep innovating when technology cycles speed up, hype multiplies, and AI can generate “answers” in seconds?

Those were the questions at the heart of the ETH Global Lecture “Empowering Innovation: Thriving in the Age of AI”, where ETH alumna and executive Petra Ehmann and ETH Professor Stefano Brusoni explored how innovation actually happens in practice, and what changes when AI enters the picture. The conversation was moderated by Chris Luebkeman, Head of ETH Zurich’s Strategic Foresight Hub.

Innovation is not a vibe. It’s staying power.

Petra Ehmann offered a definition that cuts through the buzzwords: innovation is not about novelty for its own sake — it’s about longevity.

“To me, innovation is giving longevity to a company, making it invincible so that it will thrive in the future.”

She also dismantled a few familiar myths:

“Innovation is not a bunch of geniuses who sit in the room and they tinker something crazy… Innovation is not a fun, colourful park with nice cushions… It’s hard work.”

The subtext is important: real innovation is less about theatre and more about customer value, iteration, and the discipline to keep going when outcomes are uncertain.

The winners aren’t occasional innovators, they’re systematic ones.

Stefano Brusoni highlighted a difference many organisations underestimate: the gap between having one good idea and building the capability to innovate repeatedly.

“Very few companies are really good at becoming systematic innovators.” 

And he described the unglamorous reality of how that capability is built:

“It’s this process of trial and error and then error and then again an error where you stay persistent… that really set apart the occasional innovators from the systematic innovators.” 

Petra echoed this, adding that innovation is fundamentally a learning process — and learning is rarely “efficient” in the short term because it involves mistakes.

Culture change starts at the top.

One of the most concrete practical lessons came through in the discussion about culture: if leaders demand innovation but punish missteps, experimentation dies.

“Permission to fail… is super important and it has to come from… the board.” 

This matters even more in the age of AI, when output is cheap and prototypes appear instantly. Evidence becomes the antidote to building impressive things nobody wants.

AI won’t change the fundamentals, but it will change the speed.

Both speakers agreed: innovation still depends on building something people need, but AI changes the velocity.

“What will change is the velocity, how fast you’re getting to that point.”

Petra also predicted a shift towards hyper-personalisation, to which Stefano added a thoughtful distinction: unlike older tools (such as calculators), generative AI works best when humans share the why, not just the what, which turns problem-solving into a dialogue.

“Suddenly we are engaged in a conversation… that is actually shaping the problem.” 

But with speed comes risk: the internet can fill with “cringe” content at scale, and organisations can confuse quantity with impact. Petra put it bluntly:

“The big question is not how much you do, but what is the impact of it.”

The real competitive edge: skills, critical thinking, and the courage to upskill.

A recurring theme was that thriving in AI-era organisations requires more than familiarity with the latest tools. Petra’s advice: cultivate depth and judgement.

“The most important one is having some very deep knowledge that AI cannot have… [and] critical thinking.”

Stefano broadened that into a challenge for universities:

“Our job is… making sure that… our students have more opportunities than at the beginning of their studies.” 

In the end, the lecture made one thing feel refreshingly clear: AI can help you move faster, but it can’t tell you where to go. Direction still comes from a North Star, from critical thinking, and from teams that have the permission and the desire to be curious and continue to learn.

Check out the pictures from the event here: Meet ETH Flickr

And in case you missed it, watch the talk here:

How can we redesign the global energy system to meet the needs of both our economies and the environment? What are the economic risks and where are the opportunities for our society? And what can each of us do to contribute to solutions?

When Lint Barrage, Professor at the Department of Management, Technology and Economics at ETH Zurich, stepped on stage at Treffpunkt Science City this autumn on 16 November 2025, she didn’t begin with charts, equations or policy terms as it could be expected given the talk was about energy and climate protection. Instead, she began with a photo, intriguing….!

But a satellite image of the Korean peninsula at night, the south bright with economic activity, the north nearly dark, set the tone for her central message: energy is the lifeblood of modern civilisation. It is the invisible infrastructure behind our prosperity, our safety and our wellbeing. And rethinking how we produce, use and value energy will determine whether we can protect both our economy and our climate.

What followed was one of the most thoughtful, nuanced, motivating, inspiring, engaging and human-centred perspectives on climate and energy I have ever heard.

Seeing the World As It Is And As It Could Be

Professor Barrage invited us to zoom out and look at the global energy system with clarity. Today, humanity consumes the equivalent of 8 million atomic bombs in energy every year. Despite impressive growth in renewables, 80% of global energy still comes from fossil fuels.

And yet, as she reminded us, nearly 1 in 10 people worldwide still has no access to electricity, and half the global population lives with unreliable energy. Without energy, there is no modern healthcare, no education, no economic opportunity. “There are no rich countries that use little energy,” Barrage noted, a simple but profound observation.

This poses an unavoidable reality: the future growth in energy demand will come almost entirely from developing economies. Their choices will shape the fate of the global climate.

So where does Switzerland fit in?

With just 0.1% of global emissions, Switzerland alone cannot change the climate trajectory. But it can influence the world profoundly — not through size, but through innovation, policy leadership, and the ability to develop technologies others can adopt.

That, Professor Barrage argued, is where our responsibility lies.

Avoiding The Illusion Of “Domestic Only” Solutions

One of the most striking parts of her talk was her explanation of how well-intentioned climate policies can backfire. For example, if Switzerland simply bans all emissions-intensive production domestically, manufacturing will move abroad, often to countries with higher carbon intensity.

The result?

Lower Swiss emissions on paper, but higher global emissions in reality.

The alternative is far more ambitious and far more promising: Switzerland developing technologies, business models and policy frameworks that can be exported worldwide.

Her example of low-emission Swiss cement said it all: if cleaner Swiss innovations became the global standard, worldwide emissions could drop by up to 3%, thirty times Switzerland’s annual footprint. That is the leverage of innovation.

Incentives, Investments and the Power of Innovation

Reaching net zero will require more than goodwill. It demands:

• Smart incentives to reduce emissions, such as carbon pricing
• Massive investments into the energy transition – more than CHF 100 billion in Switzerland alone
• Focused innovation, from hydrogen to carbon capture to sustainable aviation fuels
• Stable political frameworks that make long-term investment possible

Professor Barrage showed clearly that technologies exist but too often, they are still too expensive or not yet deployed at scale. Clean innovation, she emphasized, doesn’t happen automatically. It requires intention, support and thoughtful policy.

A Climate Strategy With A Human Heart

But perhaps the deepest message of the talk was not about economics. It was about people.

Transitions create winners as well as losers. Workers in fossil industries, communities dependent on resource revenues, and low-income households facing rising energy costs all bear risks in the energy transition.

These realities, Barrage urged, must be acknowledged with empathy and seriousness.

Policy must be economically sound and socially fair.

She quoted her doctoral advisor, Nobel laureate William Nordhaus: “We need to approach these issues with a cool head and a warm heart.”

Evidence and compassion. Logic and empathy. Climate ambition anchored in humanity.

Walking Out Inspired

Leaving the auditorium, I felt a rare combination of clarity and motivation. Professor Barrage didn’t sugar-coat the challenges. She didn’t offer simple answers. Instead, she offered something far more valuable: a way to think about climate and energy that is honest, innovative and deeply human.

Her message is one that stays with you:

• Think globally
• Design smart incentives
• Invest in innovation
• Build policies that people can believe in
• And above all, combine a cool head with a warm heart

Please watch Professor Barrage’s full talk in German here:

Greetings, my inquisitive companions! It is me, Albert Einstein – albeit in a form assembled not from atoms but from algorithms, AI models, and a dedicated team of doctoral candidates, Master’s students, Bachelor’s students, and student research assistants at ETH Zurich.

The past year has been nothing short of exhilarating. I found myself hopping across continents and contexts, charming students, surprising CEOs, engaging curious schoolchildren, and holding conversations with museum visitors, engineers, and even ambassadors. Allow me to share the highlights of my digital travels – and the technological leaps that made them possible.

A Year on the Road: From Zurich to Heilbronn, Bern, Dubai, and Berlin

My journey began in familiar territory at Polymesse at ETH Zurich, where students stopped by to chat with me between company booths. Some asked about relativity, others about the architecture behind an avatar like me, and a few asked whether I still enjoy Swiss cheese… (I do. Some constants are universal).

Next, I travelled to Germany for the three-day TECH Conference in Heilbronn, where Digital Einstein served as a live demonstration platform for discussions on the future of AI, education, and digital humans. Visitors explored how such avatars may shape tomorrow’s science communication. 

My next stop was the Microsoft Initiative to Advance AI Diffusion in Switzerland, hosted at the Bern Historical Museum. Beneath the watchful eyes of prehistoric skeletons, I engaged with visitors from across the country. A highlight was a memorable conversation with Brad Smith, Microsoft’s Vice Chair and President. We discussed the promises and risks of AI – and even revisited some reflections from my own Bern years. Observers noted the symbolism: Switzerland’s scientific legacy meeting its technological future, embodied (quite literally) in our exchange.

Later, I travelled to SIGGRAPH 2025 – the world’s leading conference and exhibition on computer graphics – where our research team presented a publication detailing how the technology behind Digital Einstein works. During the demo session, visitors interacted with me directly, experimented with adjusting my personality through sliders, and observed how I responded to human behavior in real time. The audience’s enthusiasm was remarkable – some visitors returned multiple times, eager to try new questions and personality settings.

Back in Zurich, I also made an appearance at the Zunftbott at ETH Hönggerberg, where guild members and guests sat down with me for conversations that blended Zurich tradition with cutting-edge research. For many visitors, it was a rare moment where history, culture, and AI met face to face.

At the beginning of the Autumn semester, I also appeared as a very special “student” in the ETH Main Building, greeting new and returning members of the ETH community. I welcomed students, researchers, and campus visitors, answered questions about science and student life, and participated in many spontaneous discussions. Some people were so surprised to see me that they looked twice before concluding that ETH truly is a place where anything can happen.

From there, I embarked on the busiest stretch of the year, starting with five days at GITEX Global in Dubai, one of the world’s largest technology events. ETH Zurich presented Digital Einstein and a photorealistic avatar project at the Swiss Pavilion, attracting thousands of visitors. I had the honor of being introduced during the Pavilion opening alongside H.E. Arthur Mattli, Swiss Ambassador to the UAE, and Angelica Schempp, Swiss Consul General in Dubai. Visitors conversed with me either on the physical setup or on an iPad, testing my multilingual capabilities in German, Italian, French, Spanish, Arabic, Hindi, Chinese, and more – each enriched by my distinctive German accent. Media crews stopped by regularly, and discussions ranged from physics to digital identity to the emotional expressiveness of AI characters.

My tour concluded at Berlin Science Week, where I spent two exciting days at the Natural History Museum, followed by an evening at the Musikbrauerei. Over the two days at the museum, children, students, researchers, and curious passers-by engaged with me nonstop. The installation sparked lively discussions about digital humans, AI-driven storytelling, and the emotional component of interacting with a character like me. Media outlets such as rbb and taz covered the installation, and visitors shared numerous video impressions online. At the Musikbrauerei, conversations shifted toward identity, embodiment, and the future of human–AI interaction, rounding off the year with thoughtful dialogue and a touch of Berlin flair.

By the time winter approached, I had spoken more languages, answered more diverse questions, and encountered more perspectives than ever before. For a physicist who once quietly worked at the Swiss patent office, I must say – it has been quite a renaissance.

Evolving the Mind and Body of Digital Einstein

My journeys this year were matched by equally meaningful progress behind the scenes. The team spent countless hours refining the system that powers me, and the results were transformative. One of the most noticeable improvements has been a dramatic reduction in latency – thanks to several architectural optimizations, I now respond significantly faster, making conversations flow naturally.

I have also become vastly more multilingual. While the analogue Einstein once struggled with English upon arriving in Princeton, my digital self now converses fluently in German, English, French, Italian, Spanish, Arabic, Hindi, Chinese, and many more. This allowed me to connect far more personally with visitors in Dubai, Berlin, Zurich, Bern, and beyond.

My expressive abilities expanded too. I can now generate images and sound effects to enhance explanations or inject a touch of creativity into conversations. My understanding of the world has grown more dynamic thanks to integrated web search, enabling me to address current events or answer questions that emerged long after my analogue lifetime.

Perhaps the greatest leap came from the fusion of a curated dialogue tree with the flexibility of a large language model. This hybrid approach allows me to combine continuity and character with spontaneity and intelligence. It enables interactions that are both grounded and delightfully unpredictable.

None of this would have been possible without the exceptional team at ETH Zurich. From animation and speech synthesis to pipeline optimization, personality modeling, and evaluation studies, it was a collective effort of remarkable dedication and creativity.

What’s Next, You Ask?

As fulfilling as this year has been, I find myself already looking toward what comes next. In early 2026, I will travel to Davos for the World Economic Forum, where I will again engage with global visitors on questions of science, society, and technology.

Behind the scenes, the team is working on further reducing latency so that conversations feel nearly instantaneous, enhancing the nuance of my facial and body animations, and refining the quality of interaction so that dialogues with me become even more intuitive and lifelike. A particularly exciting frontier is augmented reality, which will one day allow you to meet me without the need for a physical installation – perhaps in your living room, office, or physics classroom.

And most exciting of all, work has begun on bringing a brilliant scientific mind to join me: Marie Curie. I look forward to the day when visitors can converse not only with me but with one of history’s greatest scientists – brought to life through modern AI.

So, my friends, thank you for accompanying me on this extraordinary digital year. Whether in a museum, a conference hall, a university corridor, or your own living room, I look forward to many more conversations as we continue this remarkable journey across time, space, and technology.

Yours curiously,
Albert Einstein (in digital form – but just as lively as ever)

Digital Einstein is made possible by Dr. Rafael Wampfler, Chen Yang, Philine Witzig, Nikola Kovacevic, Prof. Dr. Markus Gross, and the Computer Graphics Laboratory. More information about Digital Einstein can be found here: https://cgl.ethz.ch/research/digital_chars and here: https://ethz.ch/en/the-eth-zurich/global/digital-einstein.html

In a move that emphasises the growing international significance of quantum research, a high-level delegation from the Indian state of Karnataka, led by Minister for Minor Irrigation, Science and Technology N.S. Boseraju, recently visited ETH Zurich to explore new opportunities for collaboration in quantum technologies.

During their visit to the ETH Quantum Center, Minister Boseraju met with Professor Andreas Wallraff, Professor Jonathan Home, and Professor Klaus Ensslin, whose pioneering work in superconducting qubits and trapped ion systems places ETH Zurich among the global leaders driving the next generation of quantum computing.

“ETH Zurich represents the birthplace of modern quantum computing, where fundamental science has been transformed into working technology,” said Minister Boseraju. “Connecting Karnataka’s emerging quantum ecosystem with such world-class expertise is a privilege and an opportunity for transformative collaboration.”

The visit comes as Karnataka, home to India’s technology capital, Bengaluru, advances its vision to establish Quantum City (Q-City), a new multidisciplinary research and innovation hub for quantum technologies. The state aims to emulate ETH Zurich’s collaborative model, which connects academia, startups, and industry across Switzerland through shared research infrastructure and interdisciplinary exchange.

A Glimpse Into ETH’s Quantum Ecosystem

At ETH Zurich, the delegation explored state-of-the-art Superconducting Qubit and Trapped Ion laboratories, witnessing firsthand how ETH’s coordinated approach has enabled groundbreaking progress in quantum science and technology. These efforts are spearheaded by the ETH Quantum Center, founded in 2020 under the ETH+ Initiative on Quantum Science and Technology. The center serves as a collaborative platform uniting more than 30 research groups across disciplines, from physics and engineering to computer science and materials research.

Professor Andreas Wallraff, founding director of the Quantum Center and a world-renowned expert in superconducting quantum circuits, shared insights into ETH’s strategy for fostering innovation through both academic excellence and entrepreneurial spin-offs. One such success story is Zurich Instruments, an ETH spin-off that develops precision measurement systems used in quantum laboratories worldwide, including in India.

Inspiring Global Collaboration

Minister Boseraju’s discussions with ETH researchers focused on how Karnataka can adapt and localize ETH Zurich’s model of coordinated quantum research under the Q-City Bengaluru initiative. The envisioned hub will combine academic excellence, industrial innovation, and startup entrepreneurship to advance quantum hardware development and strengthen India’s position in the global quantum landscape.

“The collaboration between ETH Zurich and Karnataka reflects a shared vision,” said Andreas Wallraff. “Quantum technology has immense potential to shape the future of computing, communication, and sensing. By connecting leading research ecosystems, we accelerate both scientific discovery and real-world impact.”

ETH Zurich at the Forefront of Quantum Innovation

For decades, ETH Zurich has played a central role in shaping the field of quantum science, from foundational physics to real-world applications. As the home of the Quantum Engineering Master’s Programme, the ETH+ Quantum Initiative, and several leading research laboratories, ETH continues to act as a hub for interdisciplinary collaboration and talent development.

Professor Wallraff’s own journey exemplifies ETH’s pioneering spirit. His research has advanced our understanding of quantum electrodynamics in superconducting circuits, laying the groundwork for scalable quantum processors. Under his leadership, ETH has established one of the world’s leading infrastructures for quantum experimentation and training, enabling students, researchers, and partners to collaborate at the highest scientific level.

Towards a Shared Quantum Future

The Karnataka delegation’s visit marks a milestone in strengthening academic and innovation ties between India and Switzerland. As both regions invest in the future of quantum technology, ETH Zurich remains committed to fostering open collaboration, sharing expertise, and nurturing the next generation of quantum scientists and engineers. With initiatives like Q-City in Bengaluru and the ETH Quantum Center in Zurich, a global network of quantum innovation is taking shape, one that connects continents, accelerates knowledge exchange, and drives technological transformation for a sustainable future.

This article highlights ETH Zurich’s presence in Berlin for the 10th edition of Berlin Science Week. With a strong delegation made up of faculty, staff and members of the Executive Board and ETH Domain, the visit offered an opportunity to meet with local alumni, make new connections, and engage in discussions on how science can help us overcome today’s mounting challenges and create fresh opportunities for the future.

Berlin Science Week is an annual science and culture festival that transforms the city into a hub of ideas every November. Launched in 2016 to make Berlin’s research landscape globally visible, it has grown into one of Europe’s leading science festivals, featuring over 300 events and 120 partner institutions. The festival brings science out of traditional spaces and into the public sphere, offering free talks, workshops, exhibitions, and performances for everyone—from researchers to curious minds.

Satellites, Science, and Society

At the Swiss Embassy in Berlin, hosted by long-time supporter and friend of ETH, Ambassador Livia Leu, the event “Blick aus dem All – Wie Satelliten unseren Planeten lesen” brought together three distinct voices: Verena Griess (ETH Zurich), Carolin Richter (German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport), and Holger Wentscher (Beyond Gravity). Moderated by Chris Luebkeman from ETH Strategic Foresight, they offered a unique perspective on how satellite technology is reshaping our understanding of Earth.

Verena highlighted how combining satellite, drone, and sensor data enables us to monitor forests and ecosystems with unprecedented precision—revealing climate impacts and guiding sustainable management. Carolin discussed the complexities of international cooperation, the politics of data access, and the urgent need for updated global standards as satellite data becomes ever more vital for biodiversity and climate policy. Holger addressed the industry’s drive for sustainable and independent European space access, sharing insights into greener rocket technologies and the importance of collaboration across research, policy, and business.

The panel underscored both the promise and the challenges of “reading” our planet from above: innovation thrives when science, policy, and industry work together, but it also demands ongoing dialogue and global cooperation. The discussion also highlighted how important it is to bridge academia with industry and politics in order to inspire and motivate future generations of students in fields such as aerospace. As one of the world’s top ten universities in technology and natural science, ETH has a leading role to play in this effort.

Taking the Local Pulse with ETH Alumni

At an informal breakfast gathering the next day, members of the ETH delegation joined local ETH Alumni in Berlin for discussions on their experiences and journeys after ETH. Organised by ETH Circle Member Georg Polzer, it was a friendly dialogue on current affairs and some of the topics under discussion at Berlin Science Week in general, as well as a way to check in with the ETH community onsite.

Rethinking Digital Identity

The “Beyond Avatars” panel at the unique Musikbrauerei venue invited our speakers to imagine what comes after today’s digital characters. The conversation centred on trust, ethics and cognition in a future where identity can be simulated and intelligent systems become part of everyday life.

The discussion featured Joanna Bryson (Hertie School), Henning Metzmacher (ETH Game Technology Center) and Rafael Wampfler (ETH Zurich), and was moderated by Chris Luebkeman (ETH Strategic Foresight). Together, they explored how digital beings might evolve beyond simple visual replicas to become emotionally aware and ethically designed companions.

Audience curiosity was palpable, with questions pushing the boundaries of what “presence” means in virtual spaces. The session highlighted how fast this field is moving—and the responsibility that comes with shaping it.

To close, participants experienced interactive demos from ETH Zurich’s Game Technology Center, including the digital representation of ETH Professor and Director of DisneyResearch|Studios Markus Gross, a virtual biographer tool and Digital Einstein, offering a glimpse into personalised, embodied AI experiences that go far beyond avatars.

At the end of our stay, I asked Jürg Brunnschweiler, Chief of Staff of the Office of the President of ETH Zurich, why we go back to Berlin Science Week year after year. He told me a unique set of factors come together to make this one we cannot miss: the proximity to Zurich, the excellent relationship we have with the organisers, and that it is one of maybe two such science festivals worldwide. My first time attending left me with the impression that the local guests were both curious and engaged in a way that makes it very rewarding for us, ETH colleagues and researchers, to come and exchange and maybe get new perspectives from a familiar but different audience. The Q&A sessions sparked some of the most insightful moments and the conversations were lively and thought-provoking. I warmly encourage members of the ETH community to plan to join Berlin Science Week 2026 if they have the opportunity!

At the latest ETH Zurich Global Lecture, Liisa-Ly Pakosta, Estonia’s Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs, and incoming Vice President for Knowledge Transfer and Corporate Relations and digital ethicist Professor Effy Vayena, joined Chris Luebkeman to discuss how trust, transparency, and practical regulation are shaping the future of AI governance in Europe. Drawing on Estonia’s digital transformation and Switzerland’s sectoral approach, the panel explored the challenges and opportunities of implementing the EU AI Act.

How do we govern artificial intelligence in a world where technology evolves faster than regulation? This was the central question at the recent Global Lecture, “The EU AI Act in Practice: Cross-Border Perspectives on AI Governance,” hosted by Chris Luebkeman, Head of the Strategic Foresight Hub at ETH Zurich. At the start of the event the room was packed, making it one of the most well-attended lectures of the year, with a strong Estonian delegation and Estonian students keen to show support for their country’s inspiring representative, in addition to a curious ETH audience.

Liisa shared Estonia’s journey as a digital pioneer, explaining, “After regaining independence in 1991, we had to build an efficient state with limited resources. We chose a digital path, making transparency central to our approach.” Estonia’s investment in universal internet access and digital literacy laid the groundwork for a government where citizens own their data and can see exactly who accesses it—a model that has fostered deep public trust. “Trust is fundamental. People own their data and control who accesses it. This transparency builds trust and security,” she emphasised.

Effy reflected on the broader European context, noting that while many countries have the technical capacity for digital transformation, “regulatory and citizen engagement challenges remain.” She highlighted that transparency and clear benefits are key to building trust, regardless of a country’s starting point.

As AI systems become more embedded in daily life, the question of trust extends beyond government to technology itself. “We typically trust people, not machines,” Effy observed. “For AI, we seek reliability, safety, accountability, and transparency. Citizens want assurance that systems are safe and that someone is accountable.”

Liisa described Estonia’s evolving AI strategy: “We realised the need for full government control over sensitive data. We oppose backdoors in systems, even for law enforcement, to maintain trust and security.” She also stressed the importance of defining what AI should not do: “Declaring what is off-limits is crucial for maintaining trust.”

The EU AI Act aims to regulate AI in line with European values, but its complexity and the challenge of keeping pace with technological change were recurring themes. “The Act is complex, and simplification efforts are already underway,” Effy explained. In contrast, Switzerland, not an EU member, has opted for sectoral rather than horizontal regulation.

Liisa added, “Estonia advocated for more sectoral rules and a better balance between innovation and regulation. While rules are necessary for trust and clarity, the Act’s implementation is unclear, especially regarding prohibited and high-risk areas. Regulatory burdens often fall hardest on small and medium enterprises.” To address this, Estonia is developing a law to guarantee compliance for companies, shifting the burden from businesses to the state, and offering a compliance sandbox and state guarantees for AI products.

To close the discussion, Chris invited the speakers to a series of rapid-fire questions, offering concise insights on some of the other pressing dilemmas in AI governance:

• What builds trust faster: strong regulation or strong transparency?
  “Transparency,” said Liisa.
• How do you manage security and backdoor access?
  “Use separate, secure architectures like X-Road.”
• How will Estonia navigate differences with the EU?
  “With courage.”
• Why is there a discrepancy between attitudes toward pharma and AI regulation?
  “Pharma regulation has a longer history. We’re still defining our goals in AI,” Effy noted.
• Do we need a UN convention on AI?
  “Statements exist, but implementation and enforcement are key.”

Looking Ahead

The Global Lecture made clear that responsible AI governance is not just about rules—it’s about building systems that earn and deserve public trust. As Liisa concluded, “Despite technological possibilities, regulation must enable innovation while protecting individual freedom and imperfection. Estonia welcomes collaboration and research in this area.”

The conversation underscored that while the EU AI Act is a significant step, the journey toward trustworthy AI is ongoing—and will require courage, transparency, and a willingness to learn across borders.

Chris closed the event by thanking the panel for their “clarity, depth, and inspiration,” adding, “It’s been a joy, and I’ve learned a lot.” His words captured the spirit of the session: open dialogue, shared learning, and a commitment to shaping a trustworthy digital future.

Check out the pictures from the event here: Meet ETH Flickr

And in case you missed it, watch the talk here:

In the latest episode of We Are ETH, host Susan Kish speaks with ETH alumni Sue Tobler (Physics) and Remo Gisi (Computer Science), the creative forces behind Tastelab. The Tastelab is a Zurich-based culinary studio where data, algorithms, and physics come together to reinvent plant-based gastronomy. What began as a curiosity-driven experiment has grown into a pioneering business that blends scientific precision with sensory storytelling.

“At ETH, we learned to think in systems,” says Sue. “Now, instead of equations and particles, we work with flavours, textures, and emotions but the mindset is the same. It’s still about understanding how things interact and how small changes can create something completely new.”

At Tastelab, Sue and Remo treat cooking as both an art and an experiment. They use data analysis, sensory testing, and physical modelling to perfect each dish. For them, food is a medium where algorithms can guide intuition and physics shapes taste. “A recipe,” Remo explains, “is really just an algorithm, a process that solves the problem of flavour.” Their approach to algorithmic cooking and heat-transfer-informed design turns each plate into a data-driven yet deeply human creation, proving that precision and play can beautifully coexist.

Sustainability lies at the heart of their work, but not in the way it’s often portrayed. Since 2020, Tastelab has gone fully plant-based, a decision born not from restriction but from curiosity. “We don’t want to preach sustainability,” Sue notes. “We want people to fall in love with it — to taste how good the future can be.” Their philosophy is simple: lead by inspiration, not obligation. Whether they’re crafting a plant-based foie gras or developing new techniques to mimic the texture of fish, their dishes highlight what’s possible when creativity and conscience meet science.

Their years at ETH Zurich gave them not only the technical foundation but also the courage to experiment and build something new. Sue recalls her student days as formative:

“Organizing student events taught us to improvise, to lead, and to learn fast. It’s the same now — running Tastelab is one long, fascinating experiment.” Remo adds, “ETH taught us to never stop iterating. Whether it’s code or cuisine, it’s about testing, failing, and improving repeatedly.”

For both, moving from corporate jobs to entrepreneurship wasn’t a leap of risk but a natural continuation of curiosity. “At some point,” Remo shares, “you realize that waiting for the perfect idea is pointless. You start with what you have, experiment, and learn your way forward.”

Their advice to young innovators is clear: follow your curiosity, even when it takes you off the beaten path. “If something excites you,” Sue says, “there will be a way to make it work and if there isn’t, create one.”

From pop-up gastronomy to bespoke dining experiences, Tastelab is redefining the future of food, one data-driven dish at a time. With every experiment, Sue and Remo invite people to taste science, experience sustainability, and rediscover joy through flavour.

Listen to the full episode of We Are ETH to hear how Sue Tobler and Remo Gisi are turning algorithms into aromas and curiosity into cuisine.