ICAIN is a global network that drives sustainable AI innovation across geographical, social, and economic barriers. It does so through shared access to world-class large-scale computing resources, open and transparent AI, and cross-institutional collaboration across three continents.
We connect academic institutions, international organizations, researchers, AI experts, and large-scale computing resources, guided by a shared commitment: to enable impactful research globally and advance AI for the common good.
The ICAIN Network and Ecosystem
As a global network, ICAIN acts as a strategic matchmaker: it connects needs with supercomputing resources, data, and AI expertise, and provides the institutional credibility and convening power needed to make cross-border collaborations happen. It works as a project catalyst by identifying real-world challenges, bringing together the right partners, and funding joint projects.
ICAIN Programmes and Projects
ICAIN's Key Areas
Our priorities for 2026
Climate & Agriculture
AI-based weather forecasting and climate resilience tools
Active projects in Kenya and Uganda focused on agriculture and food security
Emphasis on vulnerable regions with limited infrastructure
Health & Humanitarian Aid
IGAIP – International Geneva AI Innovation Programme:
Enables humanitarian and international organizations in Geneva to acccess sovereign, mission-alligned AI
Lauched in February, 2026, funded by FDFA
Language Diversity & Inclusion
Open multilingual AI models and datasets
Reducing digital exclusion
Connected to Apertus – an open multilignual LLM developed by ETH Zurich, EPFL and CSCS
First focus on Africa, working towards Southeast Asia
Current Projects
ICAIN and Apertus
Notably, the ICAIN network includes the external page Swiss AI Initiative, the largest open-science effort for AI foundation models worldwide, bringing together the expertise of more than 800 researchers—including 70 AI-focused professors—from over ten academic institutions across Switzerland.
ICAIN members are invited to build on the external page Apertus multilingual large langguage foundation models, fine-tune them, and develop applications for their own use cases. Unlike commercial LLMs, Apertus enables users to retain full control and sovereignty over their workflows and data.
Supporters of ICAIN
ICAIN's supporters provide financial contributions to pilot projects and programmes. Their commitment helps advance ICAIN's mission: to make AI accessible for the common good.
Contact us
Katharina "Nina" Frey
Co-Founder and Director
ICAIN – International Computation and AI Network
ETH Zurich
Rämistrasse 101
8092
Zürich
Switzerland
