Artificial Intelligence in Swiss SMEs: the real challenge is legal leadership, not technological.

The Artificial Intelligence revolution is no longer a futuristic prospect, but a fact within the fabric of the Swiss economy. TIO has published the results of recent studies, such as the one conducted by AXA, showing that the conscious use of AI in Swiss SMEs is growing rapidly – rising from 22% to 34% in just one year – with tangible benefits in terms of process optimization, data analysis, and time savings.

The ongoing evolution places entrepreneurs at a clear fork in the road. On one hand, there is the easier path: passivity, summed up in the mantra “wait and see.” This path, by the inexorable logic of economics, leads to a loss of competitiveness in the global market. On the other hand, there opens a more demanding route that requires proactivity, in-depth exploration, rigorous testing, and, in particular, the willingness to rethink one’s organizational model.

And the real question that every entrepreneur must face is no longer whether this transformation will affect their sector, but with what vision they intend to face and direct it, to ensure greater solidity, adaptability, and value generation for their business. It is essential to understand that we are not dealing with a mere IT update, but with an imperative of entrepreneurial leadership that requires foresight, determination, and above all, a personal and non-negotiable commitment. The commitment to being not mere spectators or passive victims of change, but its makers.

The cited study highlights that only a third of Swiss SMEs using AI have a clear internal policy regarding it. The unregulated use of Artificial Intelligence exposes companies to critical risks, including violations of Data Protection laws, compromise of trade secrets, and intellectual property.

Being protagonists of change, not its victims, means translating technological vision into legal discipline. Only in this way will Swiss companies be able to fully capitalize on the potential of AI while maintaining the solidity, resilience, and credibility essential to compete successfully on the international stage.

Our firm in Lugano supports entrepreneurs in building “tailor-made” strategies and drafting internal regulations that transform technological potential into legal certainty and lasting competitive advantage.