(MENAFN- Swissinfo) The Swiss federal institutes of technology recently launched Apertus, a large-scale artificial intelligence (AI) model. Reaction has been mixed. We look at what's behind the most common claims about the new technology. This content was published on October 6, 2025 - 09:00 8 minutes

I analyse the risks, opportunities and concrete impacts of artificial intelligence on society and everyday life. Since joining SWI swissinfo in 2020, I translate the complexity of science and technology into stories that speak to a global audience. Born in Milan to an Italian-Egyptian family, I have been passionate about knowledge and writing since childhood. I worked between Milan and Paris as a multilingual editor for technology magazines before transitioning to international journalism with SWI swissinfo.

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After weeks of anticipation, ETH Zurich and EPFL recently unveiled Apertus, a national large-scale language model (LLM). Developers describe it as“fully open” – meaning that all parts of the model are openly available to the public – and“a milestone in generative AI for transparency and diversity”. Various claims are circulating about what it can or can't do. What is true and what is false?

Swissinfo tested Apertus and asked the developers behind it, as well as a few other experts in the AI field, to separate fact from fiction and shed light on its main strengths and weaknesses.

>> Why the name Apertus reinforces societal prejudices, according to Claudia Vaccarone:

More Opinion More Swiss AI Bias isn't just in algorithms but in the words we choose

This content was published on Oct 6, 2025 The launch of Switzerland's Apertus model highlights how even a Latin ending can carry centuries of cultural weight, argues inclusive communication specialist Claudia Vaccarone.

Read more: Bias isn't just in algorithms but in the words we choos

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