Digital Sovereignty Switzerland's Largest Commercial AI Supercomputer Unveiled

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Phoeniqs is launching Switzerland's most powerful commercial AI supercomputer. The new infrastructure enables the operation of sophisticated AI applications with full control over data, models, and workloads. Phoeniqs supports leading open-source models as well as its own in-house developments and custom models.

Phoeniqs, the Uptown Basel Innovation Campus, and the site developer Fankhauser officially launched Switzerland’s most powerful commercial AI supercomputer in Arlesheim (Swiss) on June 17, 2026. This marks an important step for Switzerland’s business environment and digital sovereignty. “Controlling infrastructure is a crucial factor in attracting business,” said Isaak Reber, a member of the cantonal government of Basel-Landschaft, in his welcoming remarks.

With the rapid growth of artificial intelligence, the demand for high-performance, secure infrastructures is rising sharply. Many global AI platforms were designed primarily for international scalability. As a result, companies and public institutions are increasingly faced with the question of where data is processed, which jurisdiction governs it, and how sensitive AI applications can be operated in a controlled manner over the long term. The new AI supercomputer in Arlesheim specifically addresses this gap: It enables complex AI models, data-intensive workloads, and production-ready AI applications to be run locally, without reliance on foreign hyperscalers and without data flowing abroad. “We offer companies a secure and sovereign alternative to international hyperscalers, especially where data sovereignty, regulatory requirements, and control over AI workloads are critical,” says Thomas Taroni, founder and Executive Chairman of Phoeniqs.

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Digital Sovereignty With the AI Supercomputer

Operated by Phoeniqs and developed using state-of-the-art technologies in collaboration with Nvidia, IBM, and Dell, the system offers companies and institutions access to high-performance computing capabilities that were previously often only available through international hyperscalers. With 192 Nvidia H100 GPUs currently in operation, the infrastructure ranks among the most powerful commercially available AI systems in Switzerland. Compared to many AI infrastructures in use today, the system thus offers up to ten times the computing power.

“With our AI infrastructure, we’re laying the groundwork for companies and public institutions to develop and operate high-performance AI applications in Switzerland—while meeting the highest standards for data protection, security, and digital sovereignty,” explains Thomas Taroni. That is why Phoeniqs works extensively with open-source models and relies on in-house developments. “Thanks to our open technology approach, our customers retain full control over their models, data, and AI workloads, without unnecessary dependencies on individual providers,” Thomas Taroni clarifies.

A key driver of market access is the exclusive partnership with Sunrise. It combines Phoeniqs’ AI infrastructure expertise with the Swiss telecommunications company’s B2B network. This gives companies access to AI solutions that are developed, hosted, and operated in Switzerland.

Uptown Basel As A Hub for the Next Generation of Industry

With the launch of the AI supercomputer, Uptown Basel is growing as an innovation campus for technologies that will shape the industry of tomorrow. In Arlesheim, about ten minutes from Basel, an ecosystem is taking shape that brings together quantum computing, artificial intelligence, industry, energy, cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, life sciences, startups, and venture capital in one place. “Uptown Basel is creating the space and infrastructure for technologies that will be crucial tomorrow. The AI supercomputer represents another key building block of our innovation ecosystem—and sends a strong signal about Switzerland as a hub for technology and business,” emphasizes Bardo Magel, CEO of the Uptown Basel Group.

The AI supercomputer complements Switzerland’s first commercially viable quantum computer, which is already in operation on campus. While the quantum computer is designed for highly specialized optimization and simulation tasks, the AI supercomputer addresses the rapidly growing industrial demand for scalable AI models and productive applications.

Today, Uptown Basel is home to 18 companies with approximately 400 jobs on a 800,000-square-foot site. Three buildings are currently in operation. The campus will continue to grow in the coming years: By 2027, more than 21 companies and approximately 1,100 jobs are planned, and by 2030+, 50 to 100 companies and approximately 2,500 jobs are expected to be created on the site.

A Sustainable AI Infrastructure Unique in Switzerland

The architectural and energy concept behind Uptown Basel proves that high-performance computing and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand: “High-performance AI needs more than just computing power. It needs spaces that are built for that purpose. With Uptown Basel, we’ve created exactly such a place: a site that integrates energy, cooling, digital infrastructure, and sustainable development into a functioning, integrated system,” emphasizes architect and site developer Hans-Jörg Fankhauser.

AI Supercomputers As Part of the Energy System

The computer is part of an integrated system comprising a stable power supply, efficient cooling, grid stability, security, and operational technology. Power is supplied via Swissgrid and Primeo Netz. Approximately three megawatts of power are available for AI operations. The system is supplemented by battery storage to smooth out load peaks, thermal buffer storage, and an additional emergency power supply based on biodiesel.

A closed, water-cooled system is used for cooling. Heat is dissipated directly at the rack level before it can spread throughout the room. During operation, the AI racks generate waste heat of around 120°F. This energy is converted into hot water, used to heat the facility, and fed into Primeo Wärme’s regional heating network.

About Phoeniqs

Phoeniqs, headquartered in Pfäffikon SZ, is a Swiss provider of sovereign cloud and AI infrastructure that enables companies to run data- and AI-driven workloads with full control, high security, and compliance with legal regulations. The company controls the entire technology stack—from hardware and the operating system to cloud infrastructure and AI platforms—thereby ensuring complete digital sovereignty and independence from extraterritorial regulations. Phoeniqs serves businesses and public-sector organizations across Europe in highly regulated and security-critical environments, including finance, healthcare, research, and public administration.

About Uptown Basel

Uptown Basel is an international innovation campus and center of excellence for Industry 4.0. A development and production site spanning approximately 800,000-square-foot is being built on the Schorenareal in Arlesheim near Basel, where select technology companies and other organizations will establish themselves. The focus is on industrial production, healthcare, medical technology, and the cross-cutting field of digitalization. QuantumBasel, part of the Uptown Basel Group, operates Switzerland’s first commercially viable quantum computing hub; its partner company, QAI Ventures, supports and invests in startups in this field. As a platform for networked companies, Uptown Basel drives cross-industry and cross-disciplinary knowledge transfer and fosters the creation of new solutions at the intersection of technology and industry. In total, the plan is to attract 50 to 100 companies, creating up to 2,500 jobs. The investment volume exceeds $600 million. Uptown Basel is made possible by the private ownership of Monique and Thomas Staehelin and is being implemented by Fankhauser Arealentwicklungen.

About Fankhauser Real Estate Development

Fankhauser Arealentwicklungen specializes in the development, planning, and implementation of complex large-scale projects. Under the leadership of Hans-Jörg Fankhauser, the company has been guiding the transformation and redesign of challenging sites for over three decades, creating sustainable locations for business, research, and society. As the master developer, Fankhauser Arealentwicklungen is responsible for the implementation of Uptown Basel. Fankhauser Arealentwicklungen is responsible for the visionary planning, architectural implementation, and sustainable infrastructure concept of the Uptown Basel innovation campus.