Artificial intelligence has moved from the realm of science fiction into our everyday lives. But what is it, exactly, and how does it change the socio-economic landscape? What is at stake for governments, businesses, and citizens?

Artificial intelligence (AI) has developed significantly in recent years, and is increasingly part of everyday life. Interactive voice assistants in our mobile phones, targeted online advertisement, autonomous cars, and autonomous weapons are some examples of the varied applications of AI in our societies. This course aims to provide in-depth knowledge that will enable participants to assess critically the consequences of AI and understand the opportunities and challenges it creates in the fields of policy and diplomacy. It provides an interdisciplinary coverage of the topic, encompassing technical, political, legal, and ethical issues related to AI.

This course builds on the research and analysis conducted by Diplo's AI Lab.

Course details

Artificial intelligence has moved from the realm of science fiction into our everyday lives. But what is it, exactly, and how does it change the socio-economic landscape? What is at stake for governments, businesses, and citizens?

Artificial intelligence (AI) has developed significantly in recent years, and is increasingly part of everyday life. Interactive voice assistants in our mobile phones, targeted online advertisement, autonomous cars, and autonomous weapons are some examples of the varied applications of AI in our societies. This course aims to provide in-depth knowledge that will enable participants to assess critically the consequences of AI and understand the opportunities and challenges it creates in the fields of policy and diplomacy. It provides an interdisciplinary coverage of the topic, encompassing technical, political, legal, and ethical issues related to AI.

This course builds on the research and analysis conducted by Diplo's AI Lab.

Explain what AI is from both technical and policy perspectives, elaborating on practical, philosophical, and ethical aspects.

Critically assess the impact of AI in diplomacy and in other policy areas, including security, commerce and finance, human rights, decision-making, and job markets.

Analyse the emerging processes for the governance of AI and the challenges related to the implementation of principles such as transparency, accountability, and explainability.

Explain the potential need for regulation of AI and the different approaches that could be adopted (legal, technical standards, social norms, economic incentives).

Map the relevant actors and forums for the discussion and governance of AI.

Reflect on whether and how AI could be beneficially employed in their fields of work.

Course outline

Key areas of application and geopolitical impact of AI. We will discuss the introduction of AI in a variety of areas such as e-commerce, industrial production, finance, malicious and criminal activity, crime prevention, diplomatic practices, and education. We will analyse the use of AI as a geopolitical asset and the leading role that some countries are taking in AI development.

Definition of AI and related technologies. Our explanation of the technical aspects of AI will be aimed at a non-technical audience. We will also cover related topics such as deep learning and machine learning. The interplay among AI, big data, and the Internet of Things (IoT) will provide the backdrop for discussions.

Key players and forums. AI is a fast-growing field, shaped by both public and private sectors. We will identify the key actors and the main forums for discussion and policy development, in order to better understand the evolution of AI.

Governance and regulation of AI. Discussions will encompass transparency of algorithms, the challenges related to the explainability of AI-based decisions, accountability, and legal responsibility.

Socio-economic aspects of AI. We will consider the impact of AI on the future of jobs, and its use for social good and for achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs). In addition, we will address the consequences of the gap in access to digitalisation and emerging technologies.

Human rights and ethical implications of AI.Some human rights and fundamental freedoms, such as privacy and personal data protection, the right to non-discrimination, freedom of expression, and due process, may be affected by the introduction of AI. We will evaluate the role of automated decision-making in the evolution of democracy.

AI and security.We will discuss the introduction of AI in the field of security and its potential impact on national security strategies, looking at examples of how AI could be used in cybersecurity, espionage, and warfare, and the status of current discussions on lethal autonomous weapons (LAWS) at the United Nations.

The way forward. This module provides a synthesis of the key ethical and philosophical challenges concerning AI and a practical outlook on the application of AI in some professional fields, such as diplomatic negotiations and mediation.

This course is conducted online over a period of ten weeks, including one week of classroom orientation, eight weeks of dynamic class content and activities, and one week for the final assignment. Reading materials and tools for online interaction are provided through an online classroom. Each week, participants read the provided lecture texts, adding questions, comments, and references in the form of hypertext entries. Lecturers and other participants read and respond to these entries, creating interaction based on the lecture text. During the week, participants complete additional online activities (e.g. further discussions via blogs or forums, quizzes, group tasks, simulations, or short assignments). At the end of the week, participants and lecturers meet online in a chat room to discuss the week’s topic.

Courses are based on a collaborative approach to learning, involving a high level of interaction. This course requires a minimum of seven to eight hours of study time per week.

Participants are invited to join Diplo’s global Internet governance online community of over 1,400 members, and to attend monthly webinars and other IG-related events and activities.

The course materials, the e-learning platform, and the working language of the course is English. Applicants should consider whether their reading and writing skills in English are sufficient to follow postgraduate level materials and discussion.

Tuition fees are 690 euros per participant, due upon acceptance into the course.

Financial assistance

Discounts are available for more than one participant from the same institution. A limited number of partial scholarships are available for diplomats and others working in international relations from developing countries.

To apply for a scholarship please upload your CV and a motivation letter with your application. The motivation letter should include:

Details of your relevant professional and educational background.

Reasons for your interest in the course.

Why you feel you should have the opportunity to participate in this course: how will your participation benefit you, your institution and/or your country?

As Diplo's ability to offer scholarship support is limited, candidates are strongly encouraged to seek scholarship funding directly from local or international institutions.

Contact admissions

DiploFoundation

Towards more inclusive and effective diplomacy

Diplo is a non-profit foundation established by the governments of Malta and Switzerland. Diplo works to increase the role of small and developing states, and to improve global governance and international policy development.