On 2 July 2026, ETH Zurich celebrated an important milestone: the official inauguration of the ETH Zurich Campus Heilbronn, marking a new chapter in cross-border collaboration in research, education and innovation.

The new campus will focus on artificial intelligence, data science and responsible digitalisation, strengthening connections between Switzerland, Germany and the wider European research and innovation ecosystem. The inauguration brought together Swiss Federal Councillor Albert Rösti, Germany’s State Secretary Martina Hirayama, Federal Minister Katherina Reiche and Minister Petra Olschowski, as well as ETH President Joël Mesot and Reinhold R. Geilsdörfer of the Dieter Schwarz Foundation.

But the ceremony also featured a rather extraordinary guest: Digital Einstein. Joining the inauguration via video, ETH Zurich’s digital version of its most famous alumnus had the special honour of performing the ceremonial ribbon-cutting.

The moment brought together tradition and innovation in a uniquely ETH Zurich way. Albert Einstein once walked the corridors of ETH Zurich; more than a century later, his digital counterpart helped open the doors to a new campus dedicated to shaping the future of digital transformation.

Watch the Digital Einstein ribbon-cutting:

Read Jürg Brunnschweiler’s personal reflection on the opening of the ETH Zurich Campus Heilbronn and the journey behind this historic milestone.

Find out more about the Digital Einstein here.

Get a glimpse into the Campus Heilbronn through the eyes of its general manager, Michele De Lorenzi (in German).