Simaioforidou Maria, Creator and editor-in-Chief of IR101
ChatGPT stands out among existing artificial intelligence (AI) systems due to its user-friendly interface, enabling widespread engagement with AI technology.
When it comes to diplomacy, AI systems can swiftly search and summarize information, enabling diplomats to be better prepared for negotiations. As different parties develop their own AI systems, they can compare their findings and employ AI “hagglebots” to identify optimal agreements based on trade-offs and interests. Looking ahead, more advanced AI systems might even attain artificial general intelligence, potentially altering the role of AI in international engagements. Lastly, during negotiations, AI can provide real-time, data-driven advice to delegations.
However, ChatGPT’s lack of transparency introduces difficulties. The sources of its information and data remain undisclosed, potentially leading to biased or inaccurate responses. Concerns have been raised about ChatGPT generating fabricated information, eroding trust in diplomatic institutions and hindering global cooperation in an increasingly interconnected world.
While the broader impact of AI has been previously discussed, such as its use by students for essay writing or lawmakers for legislation, the influence of ChatGPT on diplomacy has received limited attention. Although it can automate consular services and assist diplomats in negotiations, a significant challenge arises: the growing reliance on AI systems to interpret the world.
This challenge stems from ChatGPT’s potential biases and its tendency to produce misleading or false information. Users may turn to ChatGPT as a real-time source of knowledge about events, countries, and entities, leading to the creation of alternative realities. As the gap widens between reality and ChatGPT-generated realities, individuals may struggle to comprehend the world, fostering uncertainty, alienation, and political polarization. Populist leaders capitalize on these sentiments by promising a return to a simpler, more coherent world. They undermine diplomacy by criticizing globalization, multilateral institutions, and global problem-solving approaches.
Although diplomats have embraced digital technologies, the emergence of ChatGPT presents a unique and unfamiliar digital challenge. By harnessing its potential benefits and navigating its pitfalls, diplomats can leverage AI for more efficient diplomatic work. However, precautions must be taken to ensure the accuracy and reliability of information, combat disinformation, and avoid perpetuating stereotypes or undermining diplomatic efforts. Urgency lies in finding ways to experiment, identify risks, and collaborate with AI companies to mitigate them.
References:
Manor, I. (2023). Opinion – ChatGPT and the Threat to Diplomacy. https://www.e-ir.info/2023/04/07/opinion-chatgpt-and-the-threat-to-diplomacy/
Manor, I. (2023). The AI Moves In: ChatGPT’s Impact on Digital Diplomacy | USC Center on Public Diplomacy. https://uscpublicdiplomacy.org/blog/ai-moves-chatgpt%E2%80%99s-impact-digital-diplomacy
Moore, A. (2023). From ChatGPT to Quantum Computing, New Tech Could Reshape Diplomacy. https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/03/21/ai-artificial-intelligence-diplomacy-negotiations-chatgpt-quantum-computing/