Building tech in the world’s secret R&D hub

This article describes why major AI and technology companies like Apple, Google, Meta, and OpenAI have established research hubs in Zurich, Switzerland, creating one of the world's densest centers for AI research outside Silicon Valley. The region attracts these companies due to political stability, strong intellectual property protection, proximity to universities, a venture capital ecosystem focused on deep tech (specialized, advanced technology), and a culture of collaboration between researchers, companies, and startups. While Zurich is expensive and has a smaller talent pool than other tech hubs, the concentration of specialized expertise and high-value work makes it ideal for companies building advanced AI capabilities.