On 19th November, Jovan Kurbalija delivered a public lecture on ‘AI geopolitics and diplomacy’ at the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy (AGDA) in Abu Dhabi, focusing on three main aspects:
- impact of AI on the geopolitical environment in which diplomacy operates;
- emergence of new AI-related topics on the international agenda that diplomats have to negotiate;
- availability of new AI-enabled tools that diplomats can use in their activities, from reporting to policy analysis and consular affairs.
In a lively debate, Kurbalija argued that AI will bring a renaissance of real diplomacy. Namely, many tasks of ‘bureaucratic diplomacy’ (compliance, reporting) can be performed by AI, allowing diplomats more time for representation, negotiations, and other ‘real diplomacy’ tasks that require human contact, empathy, and engagement. In a way, Kurbalija argued that AI will help diplomacy return to its roots since time immemorial: dealing with conflicts through human engagement, negotiations, and reaching compromise.
He also advised diplomatic services to start AI transformation through small projects such as the automation of administrative help desks, use of AI in diplomatic training, or dealing with international law. Such initiatives could be gradually extended to the rest of the ministries of foreign affairs, departments, and diplomatic missions. He strongly argued that diplomatic services, as knowledge ecosystems per se, should develop internal AI. It is technically feasible, organisationally secure, and financially affordable.
