Diplo Blog
Beyond print: How books evolve in the age of AI acceleration
24 March 2024
The blog discusses the challenges faced by traditional publishing in keeping up with the rapid pace of technological advancements and societal changes. It proposes a two-speed approach to book publishing, integrating real-time updates with annual reflections, to balance timeliness and depth. Embracing multimedia elements in publishing is also recommended to cater to evolving preferences. The blog emphasizes the importance of adapting research and publishing practices to address the current speed of change, ensuring quality alongside quantity in academic output. Diplo's experiments in new publishing methods, focusing on cognitive proximity, aim to reshape knowledge sharing in the digital age.
‘Yes Minister’ as the novel Turing Test for advanced AI
09 March 2024
The text discusses updating the Turing Test to assess advanced AI against human capabilities, using the British sitcom 'Yes Minister' as a novel benchmark. It highlights the complexities of human communication and bureaucratic language, focusing on the witty and evasive dialogues of characters like Sir Humphrey Appleby. The text underlines the challenges AI faces in replicating human intelligence, humor, and social dynamics, emphasizing the importance of advancing AI capabilities while recognizing the irreplaceable value of human creativity and insight.
Pave the way to digital accessibility: 15 do’s and don’ts
07 March 2024
Digital accessibility is essential when creating online content to ensure inclusivity. This listicle provides some best practices, including do's and don'ts, that can make an immediate difference.
WTO e-commerce Moratorium: The last renewal?
06 March 2024
The WTO extended the Moratorium on Customs Duties on Electronic Transmissions until 2026, potentially for the last time, due to the evolving nature of dematerialized products like music and video. There were contrasting views on its permanence, with diplomatic nuances in wording suggesting future non-renewal. The extension in Abu Dhabi was seen as a compromise, hinting at the end of the Moratorium era. While a renewal in the future is possible, the political atmosphere surrounding the issue indicates slim chances. Discussions on e-commerce and new agreements may influence the fate of the Moratorium beyond 2026.
13th WTO Ministerial Conference: What is at stake for digital trade?
19 February 2024
E-commerce and trade, Economic, Geopolitics, Globalisation, International law, International relations, law and politics, Politics and governance, Public policy
The 13th WTO Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi will address various trade issues, including digital trade. Key topics include the extension of the moratorium on customs duties for electronic transmissions and ongoing negotiations on digital policy. The conference might not yield major breakthroughs, but discussions on e-commerce continue, with differing views on extending the moratorium. The conference will also consider the impact of Joint Initiatives on trade liberalization and regulatory cooperation to reduce technical barriers to trade. While outcomes may not dramatically alter the e-commerce landscape, they could emphasize the importance of plurilateral agreements in governing digital trade.
AI optimism in geopolitically pessimistic Davos
02 February 2024
Davos showcased AI optimism against a backdrop of global unease, highlighting a shift from fears of technological risks to focusing on governance and positive applications. The dialogue emphasized the economic potential of open-source AI, marking a move towards balanced, informed discussions about technology's future
We all need accessibility. To everything. Really.
25 January 2024
The message emphasizes the importance of accessibility in various aspects of life, from physical environments to web content. It discusses the challenges organizations face in implementing web accessibility, highlighting its benefits in terms of improved user experience, legal compliance, and reaching a wider audience. The text also stresses the significance of features like closed captions, descriptive alt text for images, and clean coding for screen-reader compatibility. Overall, accessibility is not just for individuals with disabilities but benefits everyone, making information easier to access and understand.
12 AI and Digital Predictions for 2024
05 January 2024
A forecast of AI's evolution, emphasizing cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, the challenge to ChatGPT by Google and the significance of Large Multimodal Models. It predicts AI disillusionment, clearer AI governance, and intense digital geopolitics, showcasing US-China tech competition and the push for digital sovereignty
Diplo Academy 2023: A year in review
28 December 2023
Capacity development, Contemporary diplomacy, Diplomacy courses and workshops, Online education, Pedagogy
Diplo Academy excelled in e-learning in 2023, delivering 20 courses with a 92% completion rate. The academy prioritized diversity, with nearly half of participants being female and most coming from developing countries. Research highlighted the efficiency and eco-friendliness of online learning. Diplo Academy emphasized guided learning for high completion rates and revealed upcoming trends such as increased corporate training and growth in mobile and virtual reality-based learning. The academy's commitment to excellence, diversity, sustainability, and innovation positions it as a leader in digital education for individuals and organizations worldwide.
AI and Digital in 2023: From a winter of excitement to an autumn of clarity
28 December 2023
Artificial Intelligence, Internet governance and digital policy
We are examining the evolution of AI and digital technology throughout the year, from ChatGPT's rise to a clearer understanding of AI governance, cybersecurity, and internet resilience.
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