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The interplay between tech and humanity stands at the core of the discussion on the future of AI (and our society). It is often centred around a few topics as described in the Socratic-style dialogues below. Please let us know your reflections on these dialogues and suggestions for new ones. We have to move away from number 13. 

DiploFoundation, with the support of Microsoft, organised the web discussion: Applicability of international law to cyberspace: Do we know the rules of the road?  This webinar was the second in the series of cyber-diplomacy web discussions, following the web discussion, Cyber-armament: A heavy impact on peace, economic development, and human rights.

No single global entity regulates the Internet. Digital policies are in constant flux as the spread of technology and culture have repercussions around the world. The EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has caused the rest of the world to re-strategise privacy protections.

Renewed call from governments for back door access and new tools being used for surveillance; facial recognition technology (FRT) facing regulation; and Facebook’s Libra cryptocurrency project facing more scrutiny and setbacks were among the main digital policy trends in October 2019.

DiploFoundation, with the support of Microsoft, organised the web discussion: Cyber-armament: A heavy impact on peace, economic development, and human rights. This webinar was the first in the series of cyber-diplomacy web discussions which aim to map trends; introduce challenges; clarify open issues on the negotiation table; outline processes where discussions are happening; and explain how all of us can get involved.

When the abuse of diplomatic immunity is alleged to have occurred it usually refers to diplomatic officers taking advantage of their special status under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961) (VCDR) to avoid penalties for misdemeanours such as ignoring parking regulations, shop-lifting and so on; occasionally for more serious offences.

In our October WebDebate, we discussed the visual quality of communication, specifically, as applied to the field of diplomacy. We were joined by Amb. Stefano Baldi, Italy’s representative in Bulgaria, and Dr Massimiliano Fusari, visual communications trainer and consultant. The debate was moderated by Diplo’s senior researcher and lecturer Dr Katharina Höne.

Mixed rules for gig workers, Libra facing opposition, and new digital ID programmes were among the main digital policy trends in September 2019.

A week has passed since the opening of the annual General Debate of the UN General Assembly (UNGA). The time is just about right for a stocktake of what has been discussed. 

Two major processes dominated my assignment as India’s Ambassador to the United Nations in New York between April 2013 and December 2015. One was a growing momentum for reform of the UN Security Council (UNSC) in the face of the increasing breakdown of international peace and security across the five continents, especially following the catastrophic UNSC resolution on Libya in 2011. The other was the negotiation and adoption of the ambitious Agenda 2030 on Sustainable Development by the UN General Assembly (UNGA).