The digital age has transformed the meaning
of ‘smart’. What was once a nod towards human intelligence is now a reference
to a product, service – even a city - that is connected via the Internet of Things
(IoT). Data and information are the building blocks of a smart city, where they
are captured and transmitted using electrical signals to improve the
functioning of the city. The only country to steal two spots in the 2020 Smart
City Index is the home of luxury chocolates and high-precision watchmaking
– Switzerland. Could this be a signal that Switzerland is the smartest country
in the world?
Smart
cities
‘Smart’ conjures up the image of multiple
wireless connections beaming to form a complex network of signals. These
signals are what make a city interconnected but what makes the city smart is
when the data is used to make more informed decisions and improve the lives of
the residents. In the Smart City Index, Zurich was awarded the bronze medal - only
beaten by Singapore and Helsinki – and was recognised for its health
facilities, governance and education. However, the citizens of Zurich addressed
the need for e-voting and greater investment in mobile apps for car sharing.
Meanwhile, Geneva took seventh place for their basic amenities, health, education
and social mobility. Air pollution was identified as a problem in this Swiss
city and this could be a call for increased investment in smart devices that
conserve natural
resources.
This continuous investment in new
technologies is one of the reasons why Switzerland took first place in the 2020
Global Innovation Index once again, but how has the push towards developing
smart applications and devices impacted the healthcare system?
Smart
healthcare
Despite there being no universal coverage
in Switzerland, the nation is renowned for having a high-quality healthcare
system. And as the digital revolution sweeps over the country, technologies
such as wearables, implanted sensors and smart textiles are beginning to push
the boundaries and alter the skillset required for healthcare jobs. In
PwC’s Digital
opportunity in the Swiss healthcare system report, smart devices are
identified as an emerging technology, suggesting that the true potential of
Switzerland’s smart healthcare is yet to be seen. These devices are being used
to collect patient data and report it in real-time, resulting in both reduced
costs and improved operational efficiency.
One of the first uses of smart technology
within Switzerland’s healthcare system was Google Glass. Swiss developers
created an app to allow paramedics and doctors to use the augmented reality (AR)
glasses to improve the quality of treatment, particularly in time-sensitive
cases. Several years on, more applications
of AR and VR tools within life sciences are beginning to emerge. The smart
devices are now being used to help surgeons to prepare for surgery and
assisting patients to perform their therapy exercises at home.
How
can Switzerland get smarter?
In 2009, the chief technology officer for
the District of Columbia (D.C) – Vivek Kundra – announced a competition for
software developers to create a mobile app that used the open data made public
by the municipality. The purpose of the competition was to take the stores of
data that the local government collects and put it to use in a way that
benefitted the public. The resulting 47 applications – including a real-time
parking app and an app to track a safe route home from any bar in the city –
achieving in one month what would have taken years had the government chosen to
outsource the work.
Despite the number of software developers
living in Switzerland being yet to reach the numbers in the US, and estimates
that the shortfall of ICT specialists will reach
40,000 by 2026, the job market is growing. The combination of Covid-19,
increased government investment in technology and a booming fintech market have
led to a heightened
demand for tech and digital skills, with no signs of the trend slowing
down. Now, many software developers are trading in their coveted roles in
Silicon Valley to relocate to the culturally vibrant Zurich. And with the
rise of disruptive technology in Switzerland, more smart apps like those developed
in D.C. look to be on the horizon. Perhaps all it will take is a competition to
draw out these innovative ideas.
Access
our team of market specialists
Whether Switzerland is the smartest country
in the world remains up for debate, but one thing for sure is that the nation is
making a name for itself in the smart technology market. It is trends and
technology drivers like these that the team at Swisslinx are committed to
keeping pace with, so we can provide you with timely career advice. Contact us to speak to a member
of the team or begin the search for your next digital and technology job.