Diplo Academy upcoming courses and programmes
❄️ Applications closing soon! Winter 2025 online courses:
👉🏼 Application deadlines for certificates issued by Diplo: 5 February 2025
For further information and to apply, click the course titles above or visit Diplo’s course catalogue.
◆ Need financial assistance? Scholarships available!
Thanks to the support from the government of Malta, partial scholarships are available for applicants from developing countries to attend upcoming Diplo online courses. These scholarships cover 30%–60% of course fees and can be applied to most online courses in 2025. Browse our course catalogue and contact us at admissions@diplomacy.edu for further information.
Upcoming events
◆ 10th Geneva Engage Awards Ceremony
Join us on 4 February for the Geneva Engage Awards, where we will celebrate the remarkable efforts of International Geneva actors in digital outreach and online engagement. This year’s event is particularly significant, as we mark the 10th anniversary of the awards under the theme Engage2Connect. If you’re in Geneva, register for on-site participation.
◆ Digital Diplomacy and Tourism in Africa: Unlocking Opportunities for Growth and Collaboration
Digital diplomacy offers a transformative approach to reimagining Africa’s tourism potential. By leveraging innovative technologies and fostering international collaboration, the continent can enhance its visibility, attract more visitors, and build a sustainable tourism future. Join us on Wednesday, 5 March, 13:00–14:30 UTC, as we explore how digital tools can transform the continent’s tourism landscape and strengthen global partnerships. Register now!
Blogs and publications
◆ Why did the 21st century start on 20 January 2025?
History doesn’t follow a calendar; it surges in moments when old systems fracture and new ones erupt. On 20 January 2025, two events – Donald Trump’s divisive return to power and the seismic release of DeepSeek, a Chinese open-source AI – collided to bury the ‘long 20th century’ and ignite a new epoch. Here’s why. Read the blog post!
◆ DeepSeek: some trade-related aspects of the breakthrough
DeepSeek’s release of a cost-effective large language model has sparked discussions about trade and technology access. This innovation showcases how export controls, like those imposed by the US, can hinder technological advancement while also driving creativity. DeepSeek’s open-source approach promotes accountability and allows developing countries to leverage AI solutions, potentially levelling the playing field. The shift towards open-source models may also encourage smaller players to create tailored AI systems, fostering a collaborative environment rather than a competitive race. Consequently, trade and technological diffusion can significantly enhance global economic growth and innovation. Read the blog post!
◆ What is the Malabo convention?
The Malabo Convention unifies Africa’s cybersecurity, data protection, and e-transactions frameworks. Why was its adoption delayed? What updates are needed for success? Read the blog post!
◆ An indiscreet view on the budget of multilateralism (Part 1: Who is on top?)
The evolving landscape of global multilateralism, exemplified by the financial contributions of member states to the UN, underscores a shift in influence, with China’s rising share marking a historic turning point alongside the consistent dominance of the USA. This post explores how funding dynamics reflect broader trends in power distribution, offering a data-driven perspective on the implications for institutions such as the Security Council and debates on multipolarism. Read the blog post!
◆ Trump 2.0 and the Indo-Pacific
The Indo-Pacific has become a critical arena where global powers converge, revealing divergent views on its strategic scope and significance. As the USA navigates its role under the Trump administration, questions regarding militarisation, multilateralism, and China’s growing influence continue to shape the future of this pivotal region. Read the blog post!
◆ From fire to flight: Key milestones in human evolution
From mastering fire to launching rockets, discover the key milestones that have shaped human evolution. Read the blog post!
◆ How does David outwit Goliath in the age of AI?
The unveiling of DeepSeek-R, an affordable AI reasoning platform from a Hangzhou startup, marks a pivotal shift in the AI landscape: smaller, innovative solutions can outperform larger, more expensive models. This democratisation of AI means success will depend on harnessing local knowledge and creativity rather than brute-force investment. As the AI economy faces potential instability, nimble operators – including overlooked nations and startups – can leverage tailored, efficient strategies. The future of AI lies in community-driven, sustainable growth, with a focus on creativity over capital, exemplifying a modern-day victory of David over Goliath. Read the blog post!
◆ Geoeconomics takes center stage at Davos: Five takeaways
The 2025 World Economic Forum in Davos emphasised geoeconomics as a key driver of the global economy, with leaders highlighting the risks posed by geopolitical tensions. Political figures advocated for an open, cooperative economic order, stressing the need for genuine diplomacy and enhanced competitiveness. As businesses navigate risks amid these geopolitical shifts, opportunities for growth also emerge. The discourse at Davos called for proactive engagement and partnerships, underscoring the importance of fostering economic resilience and development. Read the blog post!
◆ Tech at Trump’s inauguration: Visible presence and loud absence
At Trump’s second inauguration, prominent tech leaders, including Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, signalled alignment with the administration, raising questions about the future of American tech. However, the absence of major players like Nvidia and Microsoft highlighted a divide, suggesting a potential sidelining of responsible AI advocates. Read the blog post!
◆ The year of AI clarity: 10 forecasts for 2025
‘Clarity’ is the keyword for AI and digital developments in 2025. This year, we will gain a better understanding of AI’s risks, opportunities, and the policy issues that must be regulated. But by ‘clarity’, we also mean a return to digital basics. It is easy to forget that even the most cutting-edge AI is built on decades-old foundations – like the humble TCP/IP protocol that underpins our digital reality. Read the blog post!
◆ Is AI taking over communications roles?
Inspired by the AI Apprenticeship programme, the blog’s author explores how AI is shaping communications – from quick content creation to the irreplaceable human touch. Are we opening Pandora’s box? Read the blog post!
◆ Astropolitics and the militarisation of space: The new arms race?
As technological advancements lower the barriers to space access, the militarisation of space has become an undeniable reality, with nations integrating space assets into their defence strategies. However, the weaponisation of space – deploying actual combat systems beyond Earth – remains a contentious issue, raising concerns about an impending space arms race and the fragility of existing international legal frameworks. Read the blog post!
◆ DeepSeek: Speeding up the planet or levelling with ChatGPT?
As DeepSeek gains popularity, its commitment to open-source ethics and transparency in AI could shape the industry’s future, though the full extent of its impact remains to be seen amidst the competitive pressures it faces. Read the DW analysis!
◆ Can quantum computing break the cryptocurrency’s code?
The rise of quantum computing brings both transformative potential and significant challenges to blockchain and cryptocurrency, driving innovation in quantum-resistant technologies to secure the future of decentralised finance. Read the DW analysis!
◆ The global regulatory landscape of crypto: Between innovation and control
Discover how blockchain and cryptocurrencies are reshaping our world! From finance to healthcare, these digital innovations hold immense potential – but with great power comes the need for smart regulation. Read the DW analysis!
◆ DW Weekly #197: ‘Tech titans and Trump: The power play shaping the USA’s digital future’
In the latest issue of the DW Weekly newsletter:
- Tech titans and Trump: The power play shaping the USA’s digital future
- DeepSeek-linked group suspected in OpenAI data probe
- Will DeepSeek’s rise strengthen open-source AI in the USA?
Latest videos
◆ Geneva Dialogue Podcast #5: The emerging debate on the future of open-source software
In this episode, we explore the emerging debate on the future of open-source software with Mirko Boehm, senior director of community development at the Linux Foundation Europe.
◆ AI shorts #11: ‘AI’s hidden power: How much energy does it use?’
A single ChatGPT prompt uses almost ten times the energy of a Google search. Let’s talk energy efficiency in tech. Watch the video below.
Don’t miss…
◆ Diplo Knowledge Ecology: Where human wisdom meets AI power
In 2024, Diplo elevated its approach to the future of technology and governance by developing 201 cutting-edge AI applications. By seamlessly blending Diplo’s decades of expertise in diplomacy and global governance with the latest advancements in AI, we reinforced our firm belief that teaching and researching the governance of technology requires more than just theoretical understanding – it demands a deep, hands-on grasp of the technologies shaping our world, such as AI. Learn more about Diplo’s Knowledge Ecology!
◆ «Se focaliser sur l’argent est assez typique de l’ancien monde de Trump»
In this article, published in French on Blick, Dr Jovan Kurbalija discusses the current AI shifts in light of the USD 500 billion announcement for artificial intelligence. Read the article on Blick.ch!
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