Diplo at IGF 2024
Diplo is actively engaged in the 2024 Internet Governance Forum (IGF 2024), taking place until 19 December 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and online.
Just-in-time reporting
As in previous years, the GIP Digital Watch Observatory will provide just-in-time reporting from the IGF. Bookmark the Digital Watch space or download the Dig.Watch News+ app to stay up to date with our IGF session reports and newsletters.
Our sessions
◆ Leveraging AI tools to explore IGF knowledge (organised by Diplo and the GIP)
Tuesday, 17 December | 10:30–11:30 local time (07:30–08:30 UTC)
◆ Book presentation: Unpacking Global Digital Compact; Diplo get-together (organised by Diplo)
Tuesday, 17 December | 14:40–15:10 local time (11:40–12:10 UTC) | Lightning Talk Area
◆ Intelligent machines and society: An open-ended conversation (organised by Diplo and the GIP)
Tuesday, 17 December | 16:30–17:30 local time (13:30–14:30 UTC)
◆ Empowering civil society: Bridging gaps in policy influence (co-organised by Diplo and partners in CADE)
Wednesday, 18 December | 15:30–16:30 local time (12:30–13:30 UTC)
◆ Securing critical infrastructure in cyber: Who and how? (co-organised by Diplo and partners in the Geneva Dialogue)
Wednesday, 18 December | 13:45–15:15 local time (10:45–12:15 UTC)
Diplo Academy’s upcoming courses and programmes
❄️ Applications open! Winter 2025 online courses
👉🏼 Application deadlines for certificates issued by Diplo: 13 January 2024
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.
Main takeaways from our recent events
◆ How to prepare diplomats for the AI era?
AI is already reshaping core diplomatic functions, including reporting, policy analysis, and public communication. In Geneva, we discussed the future of diplomatic training and education in collaboration with the Permanent Missions of Malta, Mexico, and Switzerland to the United Nations in Geneva. Read the 10 main points emerging from our discussion, and more!.
Blogs and publications
◆ The dance of certainty, probability, and mystery: Insights from AI and faith
Certainty, while desirable, can mislead, especially in addressing life’s complex questions. AI, rooted in probability, embodies this uncertainty, serving as a mirror of human imperfection. We must navigate AI’s transformative potential with caution, critically engaging with its risks and possibilities, ensuring it enhances rather than dominates our lives. This balance between the known and the unknown is key to understanding AI’s role in society. Read the blog post by Jovan Kurbalija!
◆ Early roots of AI in Islamic and Arab thinking traditions
The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Riyadh will explore AI’s historical connections to Islamic and Arab philosophical traditions. Rooted in the Islamic Golden Age, this legacy emphasised knowledge synthesis and brought significant advancements in mathematics, statistics, and ethics. Insights into justice, compassion, and privacy from this era remain crucial as we navigate the implications of AI in modern society. Read the blog post by Jovan Kurbalija!
◆ Geneva AI Attaché: Technology for inclusive, informed and impactful diplomacy
The Geneva AI Attaché platform utilises cutting-edge AI technology to strengthen the diplomatic capabilities of small and developing countries in multilateral negotiations. By automating routine tasks, AI allows diplomats to focus on critical activities such as engagement and conflict resolution. The Geneva AI Attaché ultimately aims to empower underrepresented nations and enhance their participation in global diplomacy, fostering a more inclusive and effective diplomatic environment. Read the blog post by Jovan Kurbalija!
◆ Maths doesn’t hallucinate: Harnessing AI for governance and diplomacy (AI Apprenticeship series)
What are AI ‘hallucinations’, and why do they matter? Dr Anita Lamprecht unpacks the maths behind this phenomenon and explores its governance implications. Read the blog post by Anita Lamprecht!
◆ West vs East: Approaches to fighting corruption
Can the West’s focus on transparency and the East’s emphasis on moral accountability provide complementary tools to combat corruption? Read the blog post by Aldo Matteucci!
◆ ConfTech Digest #42, November/December
Discover the latest updates in the world of online meetings: revamped town hall meetings, dual-display functionality, bot access blocking, auto-framing, smart speaker tags, and more! Read the latest ConfTech Digest!
◆ The evolution of the EU consumer protection law: Adapting to new challenges in the digital era
As the digital era progresses, the EU’s consumer protection framework is expected to adapt further, ensuring transparency, fairness, and consumer autonomy remain central in a rapidly changing marketplace. Read the DW analysis by Orla Harris!
◆ Are AI safety institutes shaping the future of trustworthy AI?
The primary functions of AI safety institutes include conducting research, developing standards, and fostering international cooperation. While these institutes hold great potential for significant advancements, they also face considerable challenges. Read the DW analysis by Anda Bologa!
◆ Open source (still) means innovations
The industry is an ecosystem that emerged from the need to make inventions more accessible. We may be at an equilibrium moment where all sides agree on the architecture for the future. Nations, international organisations, and the private sector should seize this opportunity. Read the DW analysis by Arvin Kamberi!
◆ The dark side of crypto: Fraud and money laundering
In 2023, illicit cryptocurrency transactions totalled USD 24.2 billion, with scams and fraud accounting for a significant share. Read the DW analysis by Nikoleta Selena!
◆ Digital Watch Monthly #95 (December 2024)
In our December issue, explore:
- Trump’s victory in the USA elections and the future of US tech
- The growing influence of Chinese tech firms
- The UN Cybercrime Convention: What does it mean, and how will it affect us all?
Cette publication est disponible aussi en français.
◆ DW Weekly #190 (13 December 2024)
In the latest issue of the DW Weekly newsletter:
- The US clock is ticking (for) TikTok
- UN Cybercrime Convention raises human rights concerns in the Arab region
- International Red Cross sets guidelines for AI use
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