From vocational training to oral surgery: in March, IMMERSE showcased immersive technologies in practical settings at two specialist events. At the conference of the Swiss Society for Applied Vocational Education Research (SGAB) in mid-March, the IMMERSE Theatre was launched at the PHZH. The installation offers a high-resolution 3D projection screen… Read More »IMMERSE in practice: Two events in march
Democratic societies are under pressure: populist narratives, growing mistrust of institutions and the media, social isolation and the loss of a sense of social agency are jeopardising the constructive negotiation processes on which resilient democracies depend. Through the 5th Rapid Action Call, we are supporting projects that address these issues… Read More »Call for proposals 5th Rapid Action Call
How are universities approaching the use of AI in teaching? What works and what doesn’t? The Coordination Committee Education Program is exploring these questions together. The discussion on March 4, 2026 revealed that the challenges are similar across institutions. Some lecturers actively use AI tools, whilst others reject them on… Read More »AI skills in higher education institutions
AI is meant to make work easier, but it’s also creating uncertainty. How can we maintain mental health in our AI-driven world of work? UZH psychology professor Laurenz L. Meier discusses this topic in an interview with Brigitte Blöchlinger and as part of the “After the Algorithm” festival on 24… Read More »AI in the workplace: between curiosity and loss of control
Counter Speech Hero is an interactive wall made up of discarded and abandoned smartphones. They provide information on effective ways to engage in dialogue against online hate. During the opening weekend of the After the Algorithm festival, the installation was accompanied by a robot bar on Zwingliplatz. The interactive installation… Read More »Counter Speech Hero. Countering online hate speech
There are apps for almost everything, including faith. Religious apps, AI avatars acting as spiritual counsellors and spiritual chatbots have long been part of everyday life for many people. But what happens when an AI system has been trained on thousands of years of religious texts and suddenly starts answering… Read More »Religious apps and AI: A new form of pastoral care
In the 2nd Outreach Call, DIZH is funding eight projects that make digital innovations visible and bring research findings into schools, the public and practice. Selected from 21 submitted proposals, several of these build on previous DIZH funding instruments, such as Rapid Action Calls, Project Calls or the Fellowship Program… Read More »Eight new projects for greater visibility and networking
Cyberattacks are no longer limited to large corporations. Schools, local authorities and SMEs are increasingly being targeted and often lack both the expertise and the budget to protect themselves adequately. This is precisely where the concept of Cybersecurity Clinics comes in. Cybersecurity Clinics bring students and organisations together: students provide… Read More »Cybersecurity Clinics bring students and organisations together
What is beauty? Society has always had its own ideas about beauty: in ancient times, these were carved in stone; later, they were painted on canvas; and in the 20th century, they were transferred to cinema and magazines. Today, algorithms apply these ideals and produce flawless skin, slim bodies, and… Read More »The perfect body. When algorithms define beauty
Difficult conversations with parents are part of everyday life at schools. At PHZH, prospective teachers can now practice such situations virtually: students interact with two AI avatars using VR glasses or a laptop. The first simulates realistic conversations with parents on topics such as school anxiety, transferring schools, or cyberbullying,… Read More »Practice parent-teacher meetings with AI avatars