Swiss survey finds support for local food and less AI

A representative survey commissioned by the Swiss association Monda Futura shows broad support for seasonal and regional food production, less artificial intelligence in daily life and greater environmental protection, SRF reported.

The survey examined which ideas for a liveable future people in Switzerland could agree on. Monda Futura founder Raffael Wüthrich said the findings showed more common ground than expected.

The greatest consensus concerned the scenario of food production rooted in seasonal and regional supply chains. Respondents also supported protecting the environment from the effects of consumption. The survey did not consider the feasibility or cost of putting these ideas into practice.

Those questioned backed both positions commonly associated with the political left, such as greater solidarity, and liberal positions, including a lean state, personal responsibility and a tolerant civil society. They also clearly supported a guaranteed basic supply and direct democracy with a minimal state apparatus.

Artificial intelligence in everyday life was rejected despite its growing use. People in French-speaking Switzerland were more sceptical of AI than those in German-speaking Switzerland and Ticino. Monda Futura said technology-driven scenarios generally met broad opposition.

Monda Futura said the findings should serve as an appeal to politicians, businesses and civil society to examine what the population wants. The non-profit association was founded in 2023 to develop visions of Switzerland’s future with the public, identify areas of social agreement and encourage concrete change. It is supported by the Migros Pioneer Fund, the federal government and Mobiliar.