New York, USA – On 13-14 December 2023, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), New York Office and the Permanent Mission of the Principality of Monaco to the United Nations hosted their “Elevating Delegates through Workshops in Artificial Intelligence and Diplomacy” training on Wednesday 13, and Thursday 14, December 2023. This training is part of the Strategic Mastery Series and was attended in person by 16 participants from 12 countries.
The purpose of this training on AI and Diplomacy is to bring together experts and thought leaders from various fields to explore the intersection of these two areas and discuss the challenges and opportunities they present. Such training provides a platform for exchanging ideas and perspectives, sharing best practices and insights, and promoting interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration.
Mr. Marco A. Suazo, head of UNITAR New York office and H.E. Ms. Isabelle Picco, Permanent Representative of Monaco opened the session by welcoming the participants. The first module, called the Neoteric Diplomat, was a panel that introduced the course by identifying the different challenges that diplomats may face as technology and AI advance, and how they can manage them and evolve with them. The panel was moderated by Ms Olga Kurilina and included the interventions of Dr Gabriela-Cornelia Horosanu, Ms Kim van der Sluis, and Mr Mohammad Iqbal Sirie.
To close the first day of the training, Dr Rafael Mesquita then presented the second and third modules on Digital Diplomacy and Artificial Intelligence. Dr Mesquita gave an overview of cyber and digital diplomacy before delving into the subject of Digital Diplomacy, then explained the regulations, security and challenges of Artificial Intelligence in Diplomacy.
The second day kicked-off with Dr. Kutub Thakur’s intervention in module 3 which revolved around Cybersecurity, and its importance for protecting our professional and personal lives in addition to, on a bigger scale, ensuring national security. Module 4, by Dr Laszlo Molnar, was centred on Science Diplomacy and more specifically about how to use science to address global challenges and build international partnerships. Finally, Ms Margherita Natali delved into the topic of Internet Governance, the importance of responsible use of data, as well as the legal frameworks and Human Rights considerations among other things; concluding the training.
