Why will AI enhance, not replace, human diplomacy?

Diplomacy is undergoing a significant transformation in the age of artificial intelligence. Rather than becoming obsolete, it is poised to thrive—and here’s why.

Diplomacy in the AI era: Human as ever

Diplomacy, at its core, is an inherently human endeavour—a nuanced combination of intelligence, empathy, and emotional awareness that empowers diplomats to represent, negotiate, and protect national interests. Unlike many other professions, diplomacy will be immune to the “automation onslaught” brought by AI. It is more art than science, deeply rooted in human experience and interaction, making it uniquely resistant to technological automation.

While the fundamental purposes of diplomacy—representation, negotiation, and conflict resolution—remain unchanged, the methods diplomats use to fulfil these will change profoundly. AI can assist by analysing data, automating reporting, and reducing the burden of bureaucratic tasks, allowing diplomats to focus more on engagement and persuasion.

In the future, diplomats are likely to spend more time on face-to-face interactions—particularly with counterparts on opposing sides of geopolitical divides—rather than being tied to their screens.

History: A resilient evolution of diplomacy

The history of diplomacy is a testament to its adaptability. From the invention of the telegraph to the rise of the internet, diplomacy has continually integrated new technologies while remaining human-centred. AI, like the technologies that preceded it, will enhance diplomacy but will not replace what is irreplaceable—the human interaction and judgment that define the profession. The evolution of diplomacy is about harnessing technology to empower the people at its heart, not replacing them.

This text discusses the future of diplomacy in the AI era through the prism of three core diplomatic functions: negotiations, representations, and protection of interests, as outlined in Article 3 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961).

Negotiations: Between the art of the deal and algorithmic optimisation

If negotiations were simply about finding optimal solutions, AI might excel at them. Negotiation is more than reaching an optimal deal —it’s about navigating emotions, understanding the subtleties, and, most importantly, building trust and buy-in of all sides for a negotiated solution centred around compromise.

AI tools are already here to assist certain aspects of negotiations, from language translation to data analysis. However, the essence of successful negotiation is inherently human. It requires empathy, creativity, and the ability to build trust. As Nobel laureate and diplomat Ivo Andrić once said, qualities like versatility and the ability to value each unique moment are distinctively human traits. AI can assist, but it will not take the lead in negotiations, which will remain the role of humans.

Representation: Engaging human communities

Diplomatic representation goes beyond conveying messages; it involves embodying a nation’s values, culture, and interests on the world stage. AI robots may welcome visitors at an embassy or answer questions via consular chatbots, but representing a country in its full complexity is a task reserved for humans. Understanding cultural nuances, navigating unspoken signals, and building long-lasting trust cannot be handed over to algorithms.

As long as humans are at the centre of social life on Earth, entities they form – currently national states – will be represented by humans.

Protection of national interests: Human judgement in time of crisis

Diplomats are responsible for protecting the interests of their countries and citizens abroad, especially during crises—an increasingly frequent occurrence in our interconnected world. Crises are unpredictable by their definition, and effective crisis management often demands rapid decision-making that directly impacts human lives. These decisions require intuition, empathy, and ethical considerations—qualities AI cannot easily mimic.

AI can support crisis response by running simulations, analysing data in real-time, and suggesting contingency plans. However, decision-making must remain in human hands when human lives are on the line. Protecting national interests, whether through crisis management or consular services, requires the uniquely human ability to respond to the unpredictable often under the pressure to make ethically complex decisions.

New opportunities: A shift from bureaucratic to real diplomacy

AI has the potential to free diplomats from bureaucratic tasks, such as reporting, and allow them to focus on “real” diplomacy—engaging with people, resolving conflicts, and building lasting relationships. This shift is not just about improving efficiency; it is about enhancing the quality of diplomatic interactions. By freeing up diplomats’ time, AI allows them to dedicate more energy to human-centred diplomacy—the essence of the profession.

As Umej Bhatia, Singapore’s ambassador to the UN in Geneva, aptly put it, “Texts written by AI can mimic authority without any substance. Contextual and situational judgment is crucial and cannot be provided by AI.” Diplomacy requires precisely that kind of judgment—adapting to the moment, grasping the deeper context, and building genuine connections.

Next Steps: Preparing diplomats for the AI transformation

The good news is that AI will not end diplomacy. It can, however, transform it to a new level of relevance. Diplomats must prepare for AI transformation by gathering new AI competencies ranging from basic technological literacy to new ways of handling knowledge and information.

Organisational changes must support individual training. Ministries of foreign affairs should also evolve from currently rigid hierarchical structures to more dynamic, knowledge-driven networks between diplomats themselves and machines. At Diplo, we use the ‘cognitive proximity’ approach as an innovative way to integrate AI while preserving human-centred organisation.

In sum, AI is a powerful tool, but it is still just a tool. It is a good master and a bad servant. As we step into AI transformation, the future of diplomacy looks bright precisely because it will continue to be a deeply human endeavour.