A Generation of Knowledge Is About to Retire: How the Baby Boomers Can Save AI Transformation

Researchers from the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich are conducting a pioneering study examining how different organisational arrangements shape individuals’ willingness to share knowledge in the age of AI and invite organisations to participate.

The Swiss economy is losing valuable critical knowledge every year as experienced professionals retire or leave their companies. That knowledge is the operational intelligence required for AI transformation to succeed. Switzerland competes on expertise, precision, institutional continuity and not cost. As Baby Boomers approach retirement they will be participating in knowledge handover activities and letting that expertise retire without capture is a threat to the foundation of its economic advantage.

Researchers from the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich are conducting a pioneering study examining how different organisational arrangements shape individuals’ willingness to share knowledge after retirement.

THE STUDY – From Experience to Organisational Memory : An Experimental Vignette Study on Tacit Knowledge capture in Late-Career Transitions – forms part of project – Silver AI, an AILAS applied research initiative exploring the human side of AI-assisted knowledge retention and translating research insights into practical systems for organisational memory.

The study is supported by the Digital Society Initiative, UZH.ai, the Data Innovation Alliance and Industry Partners.

Swiss organizations with more than 150 employees are invited to participate or sponsor and help shape practical frameworks for Al-assisted knowledge retention. Participating companies receive benchmarked survey results, early access to findings, and priority access to pilot programs.