Sarah Dégallier Rochat

With recent breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, humanoid robots have returned to the forefront of innovation. Drawing on critical theory and case studies from industrial robotics, this paper contrasts two dominant narratives: one that envisions robots as replacements for human labor, and another that promotes human-robot collaboration—emphasizing flexible, human-centered design intended to support and enhance workers’ capabilities. These competing visions are situated within broader socio-political discussions about labor, power, and the role of technology in shaping society. The paper advocates for anthropocentric automation systems that prioritize human empowerment and collaboration, challenging the notion that human labor is inevitably destined for obsolescence in the age of AI and robotics.

Much of the public discourse around AI is shaped by hype rather than grounded understanding. This presentation invites journalists to critically examine AI narratives, emphasizing that AI is not autonomous or magical—it’s a powerful, but ultimately limited, tool shaped by human choices. By reframing how we talk about AI, the media can foster more informed, nuanced, and responsible coverage.

In a world where technology is increasingly permeating all areas of life, it is essential to question the values and ideologies that shape our technological choices. This workshop invites participants to reflect on their personal relationship with technology and to develop creative visions for a possible technological future. Together, we will explore concrete ways to realize these visions by defining the skills, technologies, and framework conditions necessary to achieve them. This creative process will not only reveal individual values, but also give rise to alternative narratives of the future that go beyond common myths of progress. In this way, the workshop opens up new perspectives for a differentiated academic and social debate on technology.

A workshop and panel discussion about women, AI and power.

Join us for an afternoon dedicated to demystifying AI. This event cuts through the hype to show you what’s possible with AI in your business today – without the complexity, massive budgets, or technical expertise typically associated with AI implementation.

The Hello Robot exhibition offers an engaging glimpse into how humans and machines might collaborate in the future. This interactive display will tour Coop shopping centres in the Bern-Biel region from August onwards.

How can companies prepare their employees for the work of the future? What is required? The BFH Business Breakfast is a networking event that invites participants to share their experiences over breakfast.

We break down digital barriers and create an inclusive digital future for everyone. That is our mission.

BRIDGE is a joint programme of the Swiss National Science Foundation SNSF and Innosuisse - the Swiss Agency for Innovation Promotion. It offers funding at the interface of basic research and science-based innovation.

Ambizione grants are aimed at early career researchers who wish to conduct, manage and lead an independent project at a Swiss higher education institution.

The interdisciplinary and interfaculty Graduate School “Digitality and Education” is a collaborative project between the University of Bern, the Bern University of Teacher Education (PHBern) and the Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH).

Your partner for the future of automation. Say goodbye to complex training and intricate programming – our user-friendly design makes adapting robot applications as easy as operating your smartphone. Bring flexibility and innovation to your manufacturing processes.

The European University Association (EUA) is the collective voice of the universities of Europe, institutions that have shaped our world for a millennium.

The Swiss Cobotics Competence Center (S3C) offers a space to all companies that want to increase their production line’s flexibility and their workforce’s capabilities.

Innovation Booster Robotics, is a program dedicated to fostering radical innovation in the Swiss robotics ecosystem.

The SNSF awards PtS grants to qualified experts with proven practical experience who wish to join a university of applied sciences or a university of teacher education as a professor, and to newly appointed professors at a university of applied sciences or a university of teacher education who wish to strengthen the academic component of their dual scientific-practical skill profile.

Best Paper Awards for the Article: Empowering Production Workers to Program Robots: A No-Code, Skill-Based Approach, Blanc, Charly and Boudry, Lionel and Sonderegger, Andreas and Nembrini, Julien and Dégallier-Rochat, Sarah.

Award to thank personalities from French-speaking Switzerland for their contributions to the development of innovation in the Swiss Industry.