Restoring the third pillar: Challenges and responses of diplomacy in the age of artificial intelligence, deepfakes, and disinformation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.38180/9n61kz56Keywords:
diplomacy, artificial intelligence, deepfakes, information and communication technology (ICT), blockchain, internet, social networks, disinformation, fake newsAbstract
The present article addresses the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) and deepfake videos on contemporary societies and diplomatic practice. While AI is a disruptive technology that threatens to trigger a crisis of trust, the study analyzes how its expansion could have the effect of revaluing the role of diplomacy, especially in its traditional function of providing states with truthful information about foreign contexts. In this regard, the research argues that diplomacy —far from becoming obsolete due to the massification of information and communication technologies (ICTs)— could regain relevance as a guarantor of reliable information. The article offers a historical overview of the evolution of modern diplomacy and its “three pillars” (representation, negotiation, and information), followed by an analysis of the disruptive impact of AI and deepfakes on society and information gathering. It examines recent cases of deepfake use in political and security contexts and considers state-level experiences in the field of cyberdiplomacy and the application of emerging technologies such as blockchain. In addition, it reviews proposals regarding the training of diplomats in technological competencies as well as in traditional practices of information collection and verification. The research concludes that contemporary diplomacy must adapt by combining new technologies with traditional practices, enabling diplomats to reclaim their role as reliable sources of information in a world increasingly saturated with disinformation.
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