Switzerland joins European AI Factory network with new “HEARTS” antenna

Switzerland will participate closely in the European Artificial Intelligence Factory network, an initiative of the European High-Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU) to boost Europe’s computing capacity and accelerate the deployment of artificial intelligence. The country will host one of 13 newly selected AI Factory antennas, marking a significant milestone in cross-border research and digital innovation.

The Swiss antenna, named HEARTS (HElvetic AI Resources, Technologies and Services), will focus primarily on meteorology, environmental modeling, and AI-optimized data services. It will work in coordination with AI Factories in Finland (LUMI AI Factory), Spain (BSC AI Factory), Sweden (MIMER AI Factory) and Italy (IT4LIA AI Factory), strengthening Europe’s shared infrastructure for scientific and industrial AI applications.

AI Factories and their antennas form an innovation ecosystem linking universities, supercomputing centers, and enterprises. They provide access to advanced computing power and support the development of trustworthy AI solutions in sectors such as healthcare, climate science, space, and manufacturing. By joining this network, Switzerland will contribute its renowned expertise in data analysis, weather prediction, and high-performance computing.

A CHF 51 million European investment

The European Commission will fund the 13 antennas through EuroHPC JU, with an investment of around EUR 55 million (approximately CHF 51 million). Switzerland participates as a partner under its renewed research cooperation with the EU, and is now eligible to take part in upcoming Digital Europe Programme (DEP) calls in AI and supercomputing between 2025 and 2027.

This initiative forms part of the EU’s “AI Continent” action plan, aiming to build a coordinated European AI ecosystem. Total combined investments from the EU, member states, and partner countries through EuroHPC are expected to reach EUR 10 billion (around CHF 9.3 billion) between 2021 and 2027.

By hosting the HEARTS antenna, Switzerland reinforces its position as a trusted European partner in AI, digital infrastructure, and sustainable innovation, connecting its national strengths to a wider continental framework for next-generation computing.