From spy scandals to the surge of crypto banks, the Swiss Bankers Association has had its hands full in 2019. However, Chairman Herbert Scheidt seems calm and confident. In part one of our Newsmaker interview, Scheidt expresses doubt that Facebook’s Libra will be quickly embraced in Switzerland but adds that the digital currency can make “important inroads” in parts of the world where the infrastructure is not as secure.WATCH MORE
Swiss banking chairman: Libra won’t take off quickly in Switzerland
From spy scandals to the surge of crypto banks, the Swiss Bankers Association has had its hands full in 2019. However, Chairman Herbert Scheidt seems calm and confident. In part one of our Newsmaker interview, Scheidt expresses doubt that Facebook’s Libra will be quickly embraced in Switzerland but adds that the digital currency can make “important inroads” in parts of the world where the infrastructure is not as secure.
Tencent’s Wallerstein: Europe should embrace artificial intelligence
Europe’s industrial sector is missing an important opportunity, says David Wallerstein, Tencent’s chief eXploration officer. He says AI could be used in areas like power generation and energy optimization, among others. “This is totally wide open and a perfect area for Europe to embrace,” Wallerstein says.
Tencent’s chief eXploration officer on “the tyranny of capitalism”
David Wallerstein, Tencent’s chief eXploration officer, wants to apply disruptive technologies to help solve the world’s problems. He says Switzerland should experiment more with next-generation tech, particularly in its industrial sector. At last week’s Digital Festival in Zurich, Wallerstein called for a stronger ecosystem of problem solvers in the tech world and talked about what he calls “the tyranny of capitalism.”
Leclanché CEO wants to “dispel myth” all firm’s investors are Chinese
Some investors in Leclanché are significant wealthy Chinese families, according to its CEO. But Anil Srivastava says it’s a myth that all the financial backers are Chinese. He spoke to us just before the release of the company’s half-year results, about who owns the Swiss energy storage company.
Swiss battery maker urges industry to be honest about CO2 footprint
The battery industry must be honest about the carbon footprint of using components like lithium. That’s the view of Lechanché CEO Anil Srivastava, who spoke to us on board the world’s largest all-electric ferry in Denmark, which is powered by the Swiss firm’s technology.
Swiss baby boomers retiring a “huge opportunity” for women
Switzerland is running short of workers, warns Credit Suisse, which estimates that 1.1 million will retire by 2029. Patricia Widmer, head of University of St. Gallen’s “Women Back to Business,” thinks female returners could help fill the gap and urges recruiters to be more open-minded about career breaks.
Pamela Reif has conquered the German-speaking world—is Asia next?
Pamela Reif has a “small, but strong” following in Switzerland. But the social media star says no matter how small her audience is, she won’t turn to buying followers, something that’s looked down upon in her world. However, promoted posts are not out of the question, particularly if she courts a new following in Asia. It’s a market Reif says is interesting, with a lot of potential.
