Projects

The Center for Digital Trust is committed to research in the fields of blockchain, cybersecurity and resilience, and governance, risk, and compliance (GRC).

Our team of experts conduct research on a diverse range of topics within these areas, exploring new ideas and developing innovative solutions to complex challenges. To give you a glimpse into our ongoing and past work, we have compiled a selection of some of our current and completed projects.

Current Projects

Human Trust in Generative AI: Building Future Competencies in Switzerland and South Africa

Artificial Intelligence (AI) increasingly shapes society, and universities in Switzerland and South Africa face challenges in managing students’ use of generative AI (GenAI) tools for assignments and theses. Lecturers observe that careless use of GenAI often undermines intended learning outcomes, jeopardizing academic success and raising concerns about similar practices in the workplace after graduation. A key issue is the mis-calibration of trust, which is strongly influenced by perceived trustworthiness. Calibrated trust requires the ability to critically evaluate reliability, yet students frequently lack GenAI literacy, as it is not systematically taught in higher education. The study investigates factors influencing students’ perceptions of GenAI trustworthiness and their role in shaping trust in Switzerland and South Africa. A quantitative survey will be conducted, and the findings will inform the design of an interactive workshop piloted within existing modules in both countries. The workshop will be evaluated and, in the long term, integrated into the curriculum as an intercultural, remote learning unit. By enhancing GenAI literacy and fostering calibrated trust, this initiative aims to strengthen students’ ability to use AI responsibly while promoting sustainable academic cooperation between Swiss and South African institutions and creating opportunities for future collaborative research on digital trustworthiness.

Project Details

Start	2025
Duration	36 Months
Contact	Prof. Dr. Bettina Schneider (FHNW): bettina.schneider@fhnw.ch Prof. Dr. Petra Maria Asprion (FHNW): petra.asprion@fhnw.ch,
Funding	Swiss Leading House Africa
Partners	FHNW Institute for Information Systems, Center for Digital Trust University of Pretoria (UP)

Collaborate with us: Explore Our Project Expertise

If you are interested in working on a project with us, we welcome the opportunity to collaborate with you. We have extensive experience with a diverse range of projects, including InnoSuisse and Europe Horizon initiatives. Our team is passionate about exploring new ideas and discovering innovative solutions to complex problems, and we are always seeking new opportunities to apply our expertise. If you would like to discuss a potential project or learn more about our capabilities, we encourage you to reach out to us.