Sandbox: A Test Environment for AI Innovation

Due to the rapid pace of technological progress, the regulatory environment for AI technologies is often unclear for businesses, research institutions, and public administrations. As a result, uncertainties arise when implementing AI projects, which can hinder innovation. The Innovation Sandbox provides a testing environment where stakeholders can carry out AI initiatives within a clearly defined framework.

Start-ups, SMEs, large enterprises, and research institutes gain access to regulatory expertise and novel data sources through the sandbox, enabling them to foster innovation and support data-driven developments. Collaborative work within the sandbox also ensures effective knowledge transfer between participating organisations. All insights and results are shared publicly and serve as valuable input for shaping future legal frameworks.

Added value

Advantages:

• Creating regulatory clarity
• Promoting access to data and innovation
• Ensuring the transfer of know-how
• Providing input for the future regulatory framework 

Unlike many international approaches, the Innovation Sandbox for AI goes one step further: submitted projects are not only reviewed but also implemented in practice.

The Innovation Sandbox for AI is neither a traditional regulatory nor a technical sandbox: it operates within the existing legal framework and does not allow for any temporary relaxations or deviations from regulatory requirements. AI systems are also not developed and tested in isolated, dedicated test environments,but are implemented in environments selected and designed specifically for each project. This ensures practical testing under real-world conditions whilst complying with legal and organisational requirements.

The Innovation Sandbox for AI is industry-neutral in its approach, but focuses particularly on projects in complex and trust-critical areas, as the need for clarification and learning is particularly high there. To date, projects have been implemented in areas including healthcare, mobility, logistics, agriculture, education and core administration.

The goal is to promote responsible innovation that takes legal and ethical considerations into account, and to sustainably strengthen the use of AI in public administration, business, and research.

The impact of the sandbox unfolds across three interlinked levels: 

Impact within the sandbox projects (project level)

The focus is on the immediate benefits for the participating AI providers and public partners, as specific implementation issues are addressed directly within the project context. Regulatory issues are clarified at an early stage, structured access to relevant data sources is facilitated, and technical and organisational challenges in pilot projects are resolved collaboratively.

Knowledge transfer within the AI ecosystem (transfer level)

The insights gained in the projects are systematically processed and made accessible beyond the individual case to ensure their transferability and compatibility. In this way, experiences regarding legal frameworks, data access, organisational requirements or technical solutions are made available to other stakeholders through reports and events.

Systemic impact and public anchoring (policy level)

At this level, project findings are translated into structural developments, whether this involves the further development of regulatory requirements, the specification of enforcement practices, or the strategic management of AI at the administrative level. This level ensures that operational projects generate sustainable structural impact. 

Selection of projects

Requirements for project applications

Contribution of in-house AI expertise

Organisations must possess their own expertise in the field of artificial intelligence. This primarily encompasses technical know-how and the use of specific AI applications. The Sandbox team does not provide technological solution development.

No financial compensation

Participating organisations must contribute their own human resources and waive any financial compensation. Participation in the Sandbox project provides access to legal expertise and relevant data. The Sandbox covers costs incurred for additional third-party services (e.g. computing power, data processing, procurement of hardware, installation of infrastructure, etc.).

Willingness to publish findings

Organisations must be willing to share the insights gained within the framework of the Sandbox project. This includes the publication of results and best practices in the form of reports and events. This does not concern IP-related aspects such as code or other sensitive product information.

Headquarters in Switzerland

Participating organisations must have a presence (e.g. headquarters or subsidiary) in Switzerland and may submit a maximum of one AI project to the Sandbox. 

Application process

1. Submission: Use a simple online form to submit a written application.
2. Validation: A 30-minute interview is held to assess your motivation and professional expertise.
3. Prioritisation: The Steering Committee carries out a final evaluation and prioritisation.

Our partners

The following institutions play a key role in the management and operation of the Innovation Sandbox for AI:

Sandbox team 

We are an interdisciplinary team. Depending on the project requirements, we work with a network of external service providers.

Awards

Digital Economy Awards 2025

The Innovation Sandbox for Artificial Intelligence won the Digital Economy Award 2025 in the 'Digital Excellence – GOV & NPO' category. The jury praised the Innovation Sandbox as a 'beacon of digital innovation with a lasting social impact'.

Location Promotion Awards 2023

The AI Innovation Sandbox has been honoured with the Location Promotion Award 2023. The jury particularly commended the clear strategic approach and highlighted the relevance of such initiatives in an international context, especially with regard to regulatory issues in the field of artificial intelligence. Furthermore, the close collaboration between a cantonal authority and companies to jointly strengthen Switzerland as a high-tech location was singled out as particularly positive.

Publications