In 2015, Global Diplomatic Forum published the concept of Smart Diplomacy examining the evolution of diplomacy in the 21st century. One of the pillars of Smart Diplomacy is the use of technology in diplomacy. The far spread of online platforms makes them valuable tools for reaching a global audience in policy communications. Increasingly, people tend to use online channels as their main sources of information to gain knowledge about various subjects. Thus, these channels are increasingly impacting the perceptions, perspectives, and behaviours of people worldwide.
Governments and their affiliates can use online platforms not only to reach audiences for their cultural and trade offerings, but also to detect security threats, as digital capabilities prepare nations to protect their economic and military resources against cyber-attacks. In addition, these capabilities are reinvigorating traditional diplomacy between state officials, as they allow for the efficient use of time during meetings and in communications with counterparts and colleagues in different countries without the need to physically travel.
In 2016, Diplomacy.Live published Digital Diplomacy Ranking 2016 which ranked Ministries of Foreign Affairs from 210 countries based on their digital diplomacy performance. The ranking used both qualitative and quantitative data produced by MFAs. The researchers analysed publicly open digital diplomacy assets such as websites, mobile apps and social networks and how they are used in diplomatic endeavours. In addition to presence, the research used other indicators to assess the MFA’s digital diplomacy performance, including: customisation, up-to-dateness, strategy, influence, engagement, analytics, security, content, audience, transparency and innovation. The ranking ignored the social networks used by china which explained its low position.
In 2017, Denmark appointed Casper Klynge as the first Tech Ambassador. The role of tech ambassador was created by the Danish government as a response to the fact that technology and tech companies are the driving force shaping the world and the main catalysts for any change.
The presence of data, infrastructure, capital and market are the driving factors for advancement of technological capabilities. These technologic capabilities are defining the process of International Policy Making and diplomatic practices during this century.
In January 2020, a Canadian government report states that the government plans to greatly expand “automated decision-making” by replacing human visa officers with robotic algorithms. Debates have been taking place in recent years on using artificial intelligence in visa processing. The process would speed up the process of visa applications, build a database that helps profile applicants. The system would go beyond the short-term objective of better and quicker visa applications experience into wider diplomatic objectives in trade, culture and security. The amount and the quality of data collected in the process by embassies will create opportunities for more efficiency and innovation in the field.
With an in depth understanding of patterns, parameters and trends of digital diplomacy, this course was designed to train diplomats for the 21st century. The course was devised and delivered by world leading experts.
