Wifo 2024: Federal Councillor Rösti raises eyebrows with nuclear power plant statement

The 29th Rhine Valley Economic Forum on January 26, 2024 was once again fully booked with 750 guests. The focus was on presentations on topics such as new technologies, production processes, new business models, artificial intelligence and big data. Speakers included Benjamin Grewe, Professor of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering at ETH Zurich, Urs Gantner, CEO of the Werdenberg VAT Group, Monika Bütler, Honorary Professor at the HSG, and Federal Councillor and Minister of Energy and Communications Albert Rösti - who arrived at the Aegetenhalle in Widnau by electric car, while slam poet Moët Liechti entertained the audience on stage as a surprise guest.

Albert Rösti more than lived up to the title of "Energy Minister": the words just bubbled out of him, there was no trace of Bernese leisureliness. He practically didn't need the script. The SVP Federal Councillor made a strong case for the Federal Act on a Secure Electricity Supply, which aims to increase Swiss electricity production with renewable energies and will be put to the vote. Only if the electricity supply was guaranteed could there be innovation, for example in the field of artificial intelligence. However, a statement that could also be interpreted as a rejection of the decision to phase out nuclear power caused a murmur in the crowd. When he explained that decarbonization in particular would also require a lot of electricity, he made the remark: "In the end, it will probably take both," he said - only to immediately correct himself: "I may have said a bit too much..." Rösti, who repeatedly emphasized the concepts of technological openness and neutrality, left open what he thinks of the announced initiative to allow the construction of new nuclear power plants again.

Innovation often comes from abroad

In addition to the entire St. Gallen government and members of the cantonal and federal parliaments, the audience included many business leaders from the Rhine Valley.

They applauded economist Monika Bütler when she praised Eastern Switzerland as a particularly innovative business location. Bütler spoke about the necessity of technological progress for sustainable growth. "It is a misconception that poor countries are closer to the goal of net zero without technological progress," she said. Progress is needed to achieve the climate targets.

Innovations often come from people from abroad who take advantage of the environment in Switzerland, she said. However, the right framework conditions are needed. For example, innovations often arise in countries with low taxes. Like Albert Rösti, Bütler also commented on a referendum proposal. She criticized the 13th AHV pension after a question from the audience. It was the young who were financing another AHV pension.

AI intelligence is still below average

However, AI researcher Benjamin Grewe focused more specifically on the topic of the conference. The ETH professor gave an insight into how artificial intelligence works and compared it to the human brain. Grewe estimated that the current free version of ChatGPT has an intelligence quotient of around 80. This corresponds to a below-average value for humans. But how much artificial intelligence will influence people is up to them, says Grewe. 

Urs Gantner acted as the voice from the business world on Friday evening. He is CEO of the VAT Group, headquartered in Haag. The company manufactures vacuum valves and semiconductors. Gantner emphasized the importance of innovation for the company's success. "60 years ago, it was all about staying ahead. Innovation is the root of VAT." The company wants to continue to live up to this claim.

Also at the Rhine Valley Economic Forum, the company Lütolf AG from St. Margrethen was awarded the "Prize of the Rhine Valley Economy" 2024 for "exemplary succession planning and entrepreneurial initiative". The family business processes corn into innovative foods, such as the so-called Ribelmais potato chips.

Source: www.wifo.ch