[Summary] RightOn #13: Human rights and the precarious condition of electoral democracy
Blogs[Summary] Human rights and electoral democracy are interconnected, but face challenges like misuse of digital technologies. A Right On discussion highlighted issues like populism, democratic erosion, separation of powers, and the impact of digital tools on elections. The importance of understanding and regulating digital technologies, especially social media, in the electoral process was emphasized, with transparency and access to information being key points. The discussion underlined the need for public awareness and engagement to safeguard democracy amidst evolving electoral trends.
Summary: An X-ray of the 2020 UN General Assembly debates
Digital diplomacy, Diplomatic theory and practice BlogsSummary: An X-ray of the 2020 UN General Assembly debates reveals shifts in practice and focus, with a majority of speeches pre-recorded. The discussions heavily emphasized the global pandemic, particularly issues like vaccinations and economic impacts. Digital policy matters were also prominent, reflecting a shift to online activities. Diplomats discussed building back better post-pandemic and the need for global cooperation. The analysis highlights the merging of human and artificial intelligence for tasks like speech-writing. The aim is to progress towards augmented intelligence, ultimately understanding and leveraging AI capabilities to work alongside human intelligence effectively.
The UN General Assembly: Digital diplomacy in action?Â
COVID-19 diplomacy, Diplomatic theory and practice, Gender rights online BlogsThe UN General Assembly discussed global challenges, emphasizing the impact of COVID-19 on health, economy, and social issues. Issues such as inequality, conflicts, and digital disparities were addressed. Calls for global cooperation on vaccine distribution, debt relief for developing nations, and gender equality were prominent. The importance of a trusted digital environment and the need to address climate change were also highlighted. Member states underscored the necessity of solidarity, multilateral cooperation, and reforms within the UN to address current global realities effectively.
Humanity needs a digital home
Diplomatic theory and practice, Internet governance and digital policy BlogsWe underscore the urgency of establishing a centralized digital space to safeguard our shared heritage and future in the digital realm, emphasizing inclusivity and accessibility for all.
Zoom as a complementary teaching tool in DiploFoundation’s online courses
Alumni COVID-19 diplomacy, E-tools, Online education BlogsDiploFoundation has incorporated Zoom meetings as a supplement to its online courses, to address the desire for more interactive elements among participants. While Zoom sessions enhance connection and spontaneity, they do not replace the depth of discussions possible in text-based chats. Encouraging participant input and providing technical support are essential for successful Zoom sessions. Ultimately, Zoom serves as a valuable addition, fostering a more direct connection with lecturers and allowing participants greater influence over discussion topics. It is considered a complementary tool, enhancing overall satisfaction and learning experiences in Diplo courses.
GPT-3 for diplomacy?
Artificial Intelligence, Digital diplomacy, Diplomatic theory and practice, Language (and) diplomacy BlogsThe text discusses the potential of GPT-3 in diplomacy, highlighting its capabilities in augmenting diplomatic tasks for efficiency but falling short in understanding complex diplomatic contexts due to its lack of contextual comprehension. While GPT-3 can mimic styles and genres well, it may not fully meet the nuanced requirements of diplomatic writing. The future may involve more specialized systems in diplomacy, like the Speech Generator developed by DiploFoundation, which aims to imitate human speech-writing processes using specific algorithms for tasks, providing a potential direction for the integration of AI in diplomatic practices.
Speech Generator: Main AI technologies
AI Technology Artificial Intelligence, Digital diplomacy, Diplomatic theory and practice, E-tools, Language (and) diplomacy, Online education BlogsDiploFoundation launched the Speech Generator for cybersecurity speeches, integrating AI algorithms to enhance the diplomatic field. The generator utilizes advanced technologies like the Distil language model for semantic search and -2 for text generation. It employs Faiss for efficient similarity search and clustering dense vectors. This project aims to explore new technologies for diplomacy, utilizing models pretrained on various datasets to generate long-form answers and text.
Innovation in online meetings: SEEDIG 6
COVID-19 diplomacy, Digital diplomacy, Diplomatic theory and practice, Future of meetings BlogsSEEDIG 6, the 6th South Eastern European Dialogue on Internet Governance, originally planned as an in-person event in Moldova, has transitioned to an innovative online format due to current circumstances. The online meeting will focus on shorter interactive sessions to maintain engagement and will feature discussions on various digital policy topics. Additionally, creative tracks like a Living Library, ToS Fantasy Reader, interviews with experts, and an Art and digital policy track will provide unique experiences for participants. Social events, such as a Moldovan Wine Evening and Music Night, will offer networking opportunities. Technical aspects are well-managed through platforms like Zoom and live streaming.
[WebDebate #41 summary] The UN at 75: Evolution or revolution?
Diplomatic theory and practice BlogsThe September WebDebate explored the evolution or revolution of the United Nations in its 75 years of existence. Discussions focused on peace and security, human rights, sustainable development, and digital cooperation. The need for UN reform, stronger human rights mechanisms, and global solidarity was emphasized, along with the idea of a 'digital home' for the organization. The future calls for a more multistakeholder structure, increased attention to human rights, and a strengthened focus on global cooperation, especially in the digital realm.
[Summary] RightOn #11: Communicating human rights: How to win the global ‘battle of ideas’
Communication, Human rights Blogs[Summary] A webinar on 'Communicating human rights: How to win the global ‘battle of ideas’' emphasized the need for more positive content in the human rights field. The panel discussed the power of outrage in driving public interest and highlighted the importance of including real-life issues for increased exposure. Strategies included communicating optimistically, responding to populism, and engaging with diverse actors. Efforts to simplify communication and adapt to new circumstances, such as combining virtual and in-person events, were also discussed as key in reaching wider audiences in the digital age.
