Data and information
Our society has been permeated by digitalisation, social networks, artificial intelligence and other IT-based innovations. The consequences of these disruptions are fundamental in nature and closely linked to technological developments.
Data and Information comprises the following topics:
- collecting data (digitalisation and sensing)
- communicating data (wireless and wired networks)
- processing data (storing, organizing, computing)
- algorithms (data science, artificial intelligence, machine learning, statistics)
- visualization and human interaction
It has fundamental and long-term influence on all areas of science. New models and methods impact the way we do research and teach in all departments including Architecture, Engineering, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Management and Social Sciences.
Data science
ETH Zurich wants to create more capacity in data science while strengthening the connection between the core subjects of computer science, mathematics, electrical engineering and information technology, and all other disciplines represented at ETH. The tension between the broad interest in data and the right to privacy has given risen to new interdisciplinary research topics that go beyond technical issues and require close cooperation with the social sciences and humanities.
Working together with Swiss and international partners, ETH Zurich will continue to engage in important collaborative research. Moreover, ETH educates computer scientists, giving them profound expertise and fostering their critical thinking skills when it comes to digital technologies. Further, the interaction and the dialogue with society about the implications and the consequences of progress in this field is of importance to ETH Zurich.
Quantum technology
Quantum technology is revolutionising the methodology of how specific numerical problems are solved, how data is transferred, and how tiny signals can be measured. New findings in quantum physics allows tackling problems that were previously difficult to solve and to revamp how data transfers are safeguarded. ETH Zurich has been at the forefront of shaping quantum information science and quantum technology since the advent of these fields.
ETH Zurich’s objectives, measures and initiatives for the strategic action area Data and Information can be found in the Strategy and Development Plan 2021-2024.
Collaborations and Centers of Excellence
external pageSwiss Data Science Center together with EPFL
The external pageCenter for Learning Systems is a joint research centre of ETH Zurich and the Max Planck Society and is dedicated to machine learning.
The ETH AI Center will promote interdisciplinary collaboration and drive the adoption of new AI developments in the natural sciences, health sciences, environmental sciences and robotics.
external pageNational Centre of Competence in Research – NCCR Automation – is being created to fortify our research and education activities in the fields of cyber-physical systems, the Internet of Things, autonomous mobility and machine learning.
Zurich Information Security & Privacy Center (ZISC)
News on data science
Preparing Leaders for the Digital Future and AI
Machine learning, AI and new technologies are rapidly changing industry. The CAS ETH in AI and Software Development is aimed at managers who want to make better informed decisions for their companies. It is part of the new MAS in AI and Digital Technology.
Researchers at ETH Zurich develop the fastest possible flow algorithm
Rasmus Kyng has written the near-perfect algorithm. It computes the maximum transport flow at minimum cost for any kind of network – be it rail, road or electricity – at a speed that is, mathematically speaking, impossible to beat.
AI reality lags the hype in Swiss tech industries
Everyone talks about Artificial Intelligence but its current adoption rates are low in the Swiss tech industry, especially in manufacturing-related applications. This is one conclusion of a survey conducted by ETH Zurich in collaboration with Swissmem and Next Industries. Professor Torbj?rn Netland, responsible for the report, explains why Swiss tech companies are still faring well in an international comparison and how they can release the potential.