Islamabad, 26 August 2024 (TDI): Artificial intelligence (AI) is having a significant impact on decision-making, and the world has entered a digital revolution that is changing how countries communicate and engage with one another.
In the past, diplomatic correspondence was a laborious and slow procedure. For ages past, letters, in-person meetings, and drawn-out journeys were the main means of communication for ambassadors.
Protecting confidential information while attempting to gain insight the viewpoints of other nations posed a serious problem for espionage and intelligence gathering professionals.
A clear illustration of the challenges encountered in pre-digital diplomacy was the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. The possibility of misunderstandings brought to light the urgent need for prompt and efficient communication methods, which were nonexistent at the time.
Diplomacy is now completely transformed by digital instruments. The conventional ‘gatekeeper’ role of foreign ministries has been lessened by the emergence of new technologies, which has caused a change in international communication.
Public engagement and transparency in foreign policy communication have increased. Diplomats are no longer the only ones in charge of communication, which is indicative of a larger movement towards openness and public participation.
The techniques of diplomacy have undergone radical transformation thanks to virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality. Virtual meeting platforms have become more popular as a result of the Covid-19 epidemic, which has shown that they can improve diplomatic relations.
To prevent any tragedies and pave the path for a wider adoption of immersive technology, the United Nations, for instance, used virtual reality (VR) to train its peacekeepers and simulate crisis scenarios.
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By offering real-time direction and information, augmented reality (AR) has also shown value in improving productivity and efficiency in diplomatic contexts by superimposing digital information over the physical world.
The impressive transformation that modern technologies have brought about in the diplomatic realm was emphasized by Dr. Aneel Salman, Chairperson of Economic Security at the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI).
Dr. Salman told APP about a palmist from Lahore who predicted “the end of diplomacy” in the 1950s due to changing communication techniques and digital revolution.
He remarked, “This prediction summarized the fear of the day regarding the effects of technology advancements on international relations.” Though he emphasized that technology could support diplomatic efforts, it could not take the place of human interaction.
Technology cannot replace the sophisticated understanding, trust-building skills, and cultural sensitivity that diplomats offer. In the context of cutting-edge technologies, ethical issues are also quite important.
