Writes Arhs, LUDCI.eu Editorial Team
There is no doubt that artificial intelligence and machine learning have permeated many aspects of life. It is helping big businesses predict stock prices and giving Internet surfers the best possible results. It is now reaching the realm of diplomacy and can be a valuable tool if used correctly.
IBM has been heavily involved in the development of artificial intelligence, especially with its program WATSON. The company uses its many application every day. “Watson Works is in use [already],” he stressed, some relying on it more than others. “The call facilities management and work-space planning are heavily in use at IBM right now,” Kareem Yusuf, general manager of AI applications at IBM told TechRepublic.
Artificial intelligence in diplomacy is a relatively new concept, but technological advancements provide continuous additional applications. America and China currently lead the world in artificial intelligence technology, but other countries are in pursuit.
How can artificial intelligence support diplomacy? What are the biggest setbacks to making this a global resource?
The primary benefit of artificial intelligence is its ability to predict scenarios and anticipate issues before they happen. This allows diplomats to prepare for various situations and be ahead of any issues before they happen. AI is also impartial and not ruled by emotion. This allows for the creation of procedures that are transparent and verifiable to all sides of the conflict. AI has no stake in the outcome.
It’s already helping alleviate tensions in trade disputes. IBM’s Cognitive Trade Advisor can compute questions about rules of origin and answer related questions that would otherwise take hours to research, according to an article at ValdAIClub.com.This can make negotiations faster.
Still, it is worthwhile noting that while AI may be commonplace in developed countries such as the United States, China, and Russia, it is not available in lesser developed countries. This leads to a possible technology gap that may hurt these countries in the long run.
Countries without AI, or who are behind current AI technology, can find themselves at a serious disadvantage in international and trade diplomacy. It has been suggested that businesses, governments, and organisations in these countries fund research into artificial intelligence systems.
These systems can lead to stronger economies and economic diplomacy. Unfortunately, the question arises of whether countries will share their advancement for the good of other countries.
“If you look at the national AI strategies that a lot of countries have been launching for the last two years, there’s a tension between competition on one side and cooperation on the other. Countries are working on their competitive advantage in terms of AI,” Dr. Katharina Hone, DiploFoundation Researcher told Harvard Politics.com.
To combat the possible hindrance of shared information, it has been suggested that a global artificial intelligence system be developed at the United Nations or other global institutions. This would alleviate the fear of sharing information and provide a hub for global AI development and use.
The entire world is connected. Global diplomacy is more important now than ever as the Earth faces climate change and other worldwide disasters, there needs to be a place of cooperation.
AI will become increasingly important as technology improves, and its capabilities widen. It is a vital component already in life and diplomacy.
Conclusion:
There will always be a human element in diplomacy. While there is a need for logic, there must also be a place for compassion and humility. Artificial intelligence is an amazing tool for prediction, computation, and development of scenarios for a crisis, but it can never replace the human heart or the emotional cognition and instincts.
Who knows how it will be used in the future as its capabilities increase? For sure, it is a valuable tool for global, national, and regional diplomacy that will only grow with time. In a few short years, the Internet has transformed the way people live and artificial intelligence may do the same. It can help traffic control in major cities by predicting traffic patterns following accidents. It will predict disasters, such as floods and hurricanes based on the analysis of date terabytes in a second. AI will permeate the jobs, homes, and lives of every person around the globe.
