The Rise of Cyber Diplomacy: How AI Could Change International Relations Forever

2023-06-08 15:52:07

In February 2023, the company Do Not Pay created an autonomous artificial intelligence to assist a lawyer in a hearing. So let’s just imagine the time to a delirium » a future where artificial intelligence becomes the right hand of world leaders. Imagine a new world where algorithms dictate diplomacy and major decisions are made by machines. “With artificial intelligence, we invoke the demon,” said Elon Musk.

It’s a scenario worthy of a film bordering on reality, some would say, and yet it’s looming on the horizon. So, let’s take care of our mounts because the storm of the ” cyber diplomacy approaches with unstoppable force, bringing with it a change that could be as devastating as it is innovative.

Yes, artificial intelligence is now an integral part of our daily lives in all sectors. Yes, we talk about the revolutions achieved and those expected in all areas, but we refuse to see a diplomacy led by “the machine”. Of course, AI and Big Data are already imploding traditional foreign policy paradigms. Yes, age-old concepts are dissolving, giving way to new formats, new tools, and a new watchword: « cyber diplomacy “. Should we therefore expect a dance of death between technology and diplomacy? Apparently yes since the algorithms have this infallible: to scrutinize, analyze and predict the movements on the world chessboard with an astonishing precision.

Algorithms, which were once tools to help humans solve complex problems, will now be central to decision-making. They sift through countless data, uncover trends invisible to humans, and produce invaluable insights that could guide a nation’s foreign policy.

Why not cyber-diplomats?

What if we push the “absurdity” even further? Let’s imagine ” cyber-diplomates“, AIs programmed to defend the interests of a country, leading delicate negotiations, thwarting crises and orchestrating cyber wars. At first glance, this looks like pure science fiction, doesn’t it? A concept taken from a dark utopian novel where man gives up control to the machine.

However, that future is not as far off as we might think. With the meteoric advancement of AI technology, who says we won’t see cyber-diplomats emerge in a few decades? Perhaps they might be able to analyze complex situations with a speed and depth that no human could match, allowing them to broker deals, resolve crises, and wage cyber wars.

It must be said, AI is more than just a tool. It can become a full-fledged negotiating entity, especially since it could analyze, in real time, massive amounts of data from different sources, such as the media, social networks, newspapers, diplomatic dispatches, etc., and thus predict the potential consequences of a particular diplomatic action. This could revolutionize the way diplomatic decisions will be made. “Human” diplomats could never process such a volume of information, hence the interest of AI, which could then become an essential diplomatic advisor, capable of providing valuable information and making reliable predictions.

What about international relations? AI would surely overtake humans and could have an even greater impact. It can continuously monitor the global political climate, spot early warning signs of conflict and even predict the impact of certain political decisions or agreements. Isn’t it capable of allowing leaders to quickly understand the implications of their actions and to react in a more informed and faster way?

From then on, the race will be tough on the international arena, and it will be to who could develop the most sophisticated AI to get a lap ahead of the others. Arms competition will be open and the nuclear weapons that gave us cold sweats for a long time will no longer have a place among the new technologies. Besides, didn’t Elon Musk advise us by stressing that “Artificial intelligence is potentially more dangerous than nuclear weapons”?

Transparency, fairness and ethics, empty words in the future?

When AI carves out its place in international relations, will we still be able to talk about transparency and fairness? It would be curious to know how since it would be difficult to understand and verify the decision-making processes of the AI. How could we, helpless humans, understand why such and such a political decision, however major, would be taken? Who would still dare to ask for transparency? In addition, nothingness will separate the countries whose AI tools do not follow. World powers endowed with advanced technologies will exercise their influence abusively on the world and the rest of the planet will only have the right to suffer as a passive spectator.

Some will say it’s pure delirium, others will see an excess of pessimism but just think about it for a minute. This ” digital nightmare raises spine-chilling questions. If these ” cyber-diplomates were to slip or make a catastrophic decision, who would then be responsible? Could they be programmed to respect international laws and human rights, or would they be mere tools with no morals, devoid of any understanding of ethics or humanity?

And the most frightening still would be to imagine that they could start wars. Of course, the concept of killer robots is not new. These weapons automated“, capable of making life or death decisions” without an ounce of humanity are already a matter of major concern. With the meteoric rise of AI, the prospect of automated warfare is no longer a fantasy but rather a reality looming on the horizon.

Automated conflicts and wars, what if it were true?

This rampant AI arms race could unleash a new form of warfare where there will be no blood, a war where the soldiers will be computer codes and the battlefields will be digital networks. Without strict regulation, the escalation could get out of hand and hello damage. The consequences of automated warfare could be apocalyptic. Automated warfare would be unprecedented, and conflicts would not be limited to specific geographic areas, but could spread across the digital world, affecting countries that have no direct connection to the conflict. Moreover, it could unfold at a speed we cannot even imagine, with potentially catastrophic consequences.

Just thinking about it, panic sets in. The possibility of machines capable of making life-and-death decisions without human intervention – is a terrifying reality that could be made possible by advances in AI, spiraling out of control.

Towards an uncertain future

In short, by walking a tightrope towards this new era of ” cyber diplomacy » and « automated conflicts “, one certainty is emerging: AI is about to become a major player in our future, for better or for worse. Of course, it can revolutionize diplomacy and warfare, but the flip side will certainly not be pretty. It is imperative that we embrace the potential benefits of AI in diplomacy and foreign policy, while being acutely vigilant of its dangers without being intoxicated by the human genius that has invented a monster that risks destruction. engulf. While AI will bring positive and significant changes to diplomacy and international relations, all potential risks and challenges should be taken into account and ensure that AI is used in a way that promotes fairness, transparency and international cooperation or goodbye to international relations.

But who could guarantee that the potential benefits of AI are not overshadowed by its dangers? How can we be sure that AI is used in an ethical and responsible way? This is the great dilemma that arises. Otherwise, the world would be catapulted into a black hole where only machines and algorithms will dictate their rules. We could, quite simply, find ourselves in a world where chaos will be orchestrated not by men and women, but by algorithms and machines.

The consequences could be devastating unless we act now to steer that future towards a safer, more balanced future where AI is used for the good of all, not to sow chaos and destruction.

It is clear that it is a flagrant delirium that I have just done but as the other would say: ” Even a delirium demands to be heard”.

End of madness…

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#prelude #global #chaos

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