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How to prepare diplomats for the AI era?

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11 December 2024

Summary of discussion

Here are 10 main points emerging from our discussion on 11 December 2024

WHY diplomacy needs AI transformation? 

  1. AI brings good news for diplomacy: With the automation of routine tasks, certain types of reporting, and administration activities, diplomats will have more time to dedicate to core diplomatic functions such as dialogue and negotiations.
  2. AI brings even better news for small missions: AI can enable more active and meaningful participation of small missions in multilateral processes, as technology can compensate for the lack of people following many parallel processes.
  3. Diplomatic services should have started AI transformation ‘yesterday’: Diplomacy is a knowledge-intensive organisation. Ministries are rich depositories of data, information, knowledge, and some wisdom. AI offers a unique opportunity for diplomatic services to ‘activate’ this predominantly hidden knowledge in archives and documents.

HOW can diplomacy start AI transformation? 

  1. AI is within grasp for anyone: In the two years since the launch of ChatGPT, AI has moved from a fascinating and almost magical novelty to a practical and largely affordable tool.
  2. AI is a commodity: Open source and thousands of apps make AI an affordable tool. This means that the focus should no longer be on the technology aspect but rather on how this tool can be used for the internal transformation of organisations.
  3. AI between one day, month, and year: The good news is that you can start ‘your AI’ fast by, for example, using the professional version of ChatGPT. It can happen in hours, a maximum of a day. Speed brings some bad news. First, you pass your knowledge and confidential data to big platforms, with all the risks that it brings. Second, you cannot customise the system to fit your specific needs, knowledge and wisdom. Our advice is to start fast with a clear understanding of the risks and focus on smaller-scale units within your organisations (e.g. legal department within MFAa). Then, transfer lessons learned to the entire organisation, thus ensuring the transfer of best practices. But, in parallel, develop ‘one month’ and, in particular, ‘one year’ solutions. A ‘one-month’ solution could be good for permanent missions, while the ministry of foreign affairs should go for a ‘one-year solution’.
  4. It is about people and organisation: While technology is affordable, your focus should be on building human competencies and an institutional framework. It should involve awareness-building on AI for leadership (Diplo offers ‘master briefings’), training and apprenticeships on AI.
  5. Early wins and champions of change: Through the process described in the previous two points you will ensure two crucial elements for the AI transformation; early wins (like in the example of implementing AI on a smaller scale) to serve the purpose of a testing ground and identifying staff members capable of taking the ownership of the process and implement it even faster and more efficient on the larger scale.

WHAT are some practical steps?

  1. You can follow up with Mexico on how diplomatic services integrate online diplomatic training and AI into their institutional framework and activities.
  2. You can follow up with Diplo on master briefings for leadership, courses for diplomatic academies, apprenticeship programmes, and consultancy for AI transformation.

Geneva AI Attache

During the session, we followed use of AI via the following video that describes one meeting cycle from preparations and participation, to follow-up

Presentations

We marked two anniversaries. First was 15 years of cooperation between Malta, Mexico, and Switzerland.

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This cooperation was summarised in the following video.

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We also marked the 50th anniversary of Mexican diplomatic institute.

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We started with Diplo’s approach of AI of fully understanding technology before we discuss its governance or deliver courses.

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The current paradox between discussing and understanding AI technology is described in the following illustration.

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A good news that understanding technology for the use of AI does not need programming background. For example, one can grasp functioning of AI on the example of national flags in front of the United Nations as explained here.

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In Diplo courses we cover three interplays betweeen Digitial & AI and diplomacy: geopolitical environment, new topics, and new tools.

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Diplomats will gave to gain new talents, skills, and knowledge in order to prepare AI transformation, as discussed in this publication.

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These new diplomatic competencies for the AI transformation can be anchored in the definition of functions as outlined in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961). Representation, protecting of interests, and negotiations are likely to remain human-centered activities. AI will have stronger influence on reporting, administrative, and consular activities.

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We summarise three different ways for AI transformation. It can start in ‘one day’ through jamp-start creating of AI chat-bots. More in-depth AI transformation would require ‘1 month’ of arranging datasets and fine-tuning prompts. For more comprehensive institutional transformation there is a need for, at least, one year.

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Powerful AI can be achieved for small, but high quality data. It is likely to be approach that diplomatic services should take.

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Based on Diplo’s experience, AI apprenticeship is the most effective pedagogical way to gain AI knowledge. It can be achieved by combining learning about AI with developing AI.

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Photo Gallery

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Accessories, Formal Wear, Tie, Bag, Handbag, Conversation, Person, Adult, Male, Man, Female, Woman, Jewelry, Ring, Interview, Glasses, Desk, Furniture, Table, Cup, Clothing, Coat, Face, Head, Chair, Taieb Fassi Fihri, Valérie Bonneton
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Event Announcement

The Permanent Missions of Malta, Mexico, and Switzerland to the United Nations in Geneva, together with DiploFoundation, invite you to an anniversary event and master briefing:

How to prepare diplomats for the AI Era?


The future of diplomatic training and education

11 December 2024
WMO Building, 7bis Avenue de la Paix, Geneva (Attic Conference Room)

only in-situ event

In celebration of 15 years of cooperation between Malta, Mexico, and Switzerland, we are pleased to invite you to a special event exploring how diplomacy and international organisations can adapt to AI-driven transformations.

Artificial intelligence is already reshaping core diplomatic functions such as reporting, policy analysis, and public communication.

DiploFoundation will present the current state of AI in diplomacy, alongside updates on diplomatic training curricula. The focus will be on equipping current diplomats and preparing the next generation with the critical knowledge, skills, and talents required to excel in the AI era—whether representing their countries, negotiating international agreements, or navigating complex global challenges.

Programme

12:45 – 13:15
Networking and lunch refreshments

13:15 – 13:25
Introduction by representatives of Malta, Mexico, and Switzerland

  • Ambassador Fernando Israel Espinosa Olivera, Deputy Permanent Representative of Mexico
  • Ambassador Julien Thöni, Deputy Permanent, Representative of Switzerland to the UN in Geneva
  • Ms. Emily Tufigno, Deputy Permanent, Representative of Malta to the UN in Geneva (tbc)

13:25 – 13:40
Reflections on 15 years of training Mexican diplomats at DiploFoundation

  •  Ambassador Fernando Israel Espinosa Olivera, Deputy Permanent Representative of Mexico

13:40 – 14:30
Master briefing: “How to prepare diplomats for the AI era?” followed by a panel discussion 

  • Jovan Kurbalija, Director of DiploFoundation
  • Andrej Å krinjaric, Director of Education, DiploFoundation
  • Sorina Teleanu, Director of Knowledge, DiploFoundation

Registration is now closed.

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