This Summer, Geneva Becomes the Capital of Life Sciences Data
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Invisible yet omnipresent, data has become one of the driving forces behind contemporary science. This summer, Geneva is set to celebrate it with #GenevaLovesData, an initiative launched by the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB) and organised in partnership with the University of Geneva, which will feature an exhibition, conferences and a public forum exploring the societal impacts of life sciences data. As the highlight of this programme, the city will host the European Conference on Computational Biology (ECCB) at the CICG from 31 August to 4 September 2026 – the largest gathering in this field in Europe.
Data for the common good: key events
Biological data has now become a strategic resource. It enables us to track the spread of epidemics, improve patient care, gain a better understanding of ecosystems and train AI models. Its value in guiding both individual and public decision-making depends on its reliability and long-term accessibility.
To explore these issues in a practical way, and to remind everyone of Geneva’s role in providing reliable data to address the major challenges facing our society, the #GenevaLovesData initiative invites the general public to discover the Datarium exhibition. Featuring stories, images and infographics, the exhibition will be on display outdoors from 3 August at the Parc des Bastions and then at the Rotonde du Mont-Blanc, as well as online from early July (datarium.ch).
On 31 August, the public forum ‘Health, Biodiversity, AI: Data Science for the Common Good’ will offer an afternoon of interactive exploration, combining workshops on drug design and DNA analysis with discussions with scientists and decision-makers.
“Biological data is already shaping our future. With #GenevaLovesData, we want to enable everyone to understand its impact and showcase the scientific excellence that Switzerland brings to this field,” explains Simone de Montmollin, President of the SIB.
The ECCB: a major international scientific event
The scientific and international aspect of the initiative is spearheaded by Europe’s largest conference in this field, which will be held for the first time in Geneva from 31 August to 4 September at the CICG. The Canton will thus welcome more than 1,000 experts from around the world for the 25th European Conference on Computational Biology (ECCB).
Personalised medicine, pandemic preparedness, biodiversity conservation and artificial intelligence: the topics covered are at the heart of current scientific and societal concerns. Speakers will include Jeremy Farrar, Assistant Director-General of the World Health Organisation; Aleksandra Walczak, Research Director at the CNRS; Stephen Quake, Professor at Stanford University; and political figures such as the President of the Swiss Confederation, Guy Parmelin, and the President of the Geneva State Council, Anne Hiltpold. They will highlight the strategic importance of data for innovation, health, the environment and international cooperation in the age of artificial intelligence.
Geneva, a global hub for trusted data
“Without reliable data, there can be no science or reliable AI. This is one of the great challenges of our time, and Geneva has a special role to play in addressing it,” says Christophe Dessimoz, Director of the SIB.
With one year to go until the international summit on AI, Geneva is thus reaffirming its role as an international platform for high-quality data and the associated expertise needed to generate positive and reliable societal impacts. This position is underpinned by a long-standing commitment and a globally recognised ecosystem – from GRID-Geneva to the SIB, via CERN and the University – which produces, structures and makes available high-quality data, as well as the standards necessary for international scientific collaboration.
“Health data touches on life and privacy, and its governance is a matter of our collective responsibility,” explains Antoine Geissbühler, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva.
The #GenevaLovesData initiative lies at the heart of the transformation Geneva is undergoing in the age of artificial intelligence.
Programme overview
- Monday 3 August to Wednesday 19 August 2026: Datarium exhibition at the Parc des Bastions
- Wednesday 12 August 2026: Official opening of the Datarium exhibition at the Parc des Bastions
- Thursday 20 August to Sunday 30 August 2026: Datarium exhibition at the Rotonde du Mont-Blanc
- Monday 31 August 2026: Public forum ‘Health, biodiversity, AI: data science for the common good’, at the Geneva International Congress Centre
- Monday 31 August 2026: ECCB opening ceremony
- Monday 31 August to Friday 4 September 2026: ECCB, at the Geneva International Congress Centre
➡️ Source: SIB Press Release | 📸 ©SIB