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DiploNews – Issue 476 – 2 October 2023

🌐 Diplo and the GIP at IGF 2023 (8–12 October)

Diplo and GIP experts will be taking part in IGF 2023, which will be held 8–12 October in Kyoto, Japan:

  • Just-in-time reporting & daily reports
    As in previous years, the GIP Digital Watch Observatory will provide just-in-time reporting from IGF 2023. Our suggested steps: bookmark the Digital Watch space (and subscribe to receive the daily reports) and download the Dig.Watch News+ app to stay updated with our session reports and newsletters.
  • Diplo&GIP at IGF sessions
    Diplo and GIP experts will organise, support, participate in, and moderate various IGF discussions. You can find this year’s session list on our IGF dedicated page.
  • Diplo&GIP booth at IGF Village
    If you’re attending the IGF in Kyoto, we’d love for you to stop by our booth. For those joining online, be sure to visit our virtual booth.
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Diplo Academy upcoming courses and programmes

🎓 2024 MA in Contemporary Diplomacy (with internet governance specialisation)

Diplo is accepting applications for the 2024 online Master/Postgraduate Diploma in Contemporary Diplomacy with a specialisation in internet governance, run in cooperation with the University of Malta Department of International Relations. The programme starts on 29 January 2024.

During 16 to 20 months of online study, the programme guides working diplomats, international relations professionals, and internet policymakers through the theoretical and practical building blocks of diplomacy, with a focus on contemporary issues and challenges.

❗ Financial assistance available:

  • Diplo alumni are entitled to a 20% reduction in tuition fees.
  • Applicants from developing countries can be awarded a limited number of partial scholarships.
  • Maltese applicants can benefit from up to 70% off the fee in tax credits as part of the Get Qualified scheme.

For further information and to apply, please visit the MA/PGD in Contemporary Diplomacy web page.

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🍁 Closing soon: Autumn online courses

🚨 Only a few spots left for our popular autumn online courses! Enroll today:

For more details or to apply, click the course titles or visit Diplo’s course catalogue.

Questions? Reach out to us at admissions@diplomacy.edu for further information.


Reporting from UNGA 78

While less than 3% of UN General Assembly speeches touched on digital technology, it still represents thousands of words spoken by various world leaders. Check out our dedicated UNGA 78 page to discover who discussed what, and which leaders opted not to mention digital technologies altogether. Read our UNGA 78 reports.

Follow UNGA78 hybrid reporting by experts and Diplo AI

Blogs and publications

◆ Diplomatic and AI hallucinations: How can thinking outside the box help solve global problems?

Can the ‘hallucinations’ of AI (instances where systems generate outputs that appear plausible but aren’t always accurate or grounded in reality) serve a broader purpose? In a real-world case study, Dr Jovan Kurbalija delves into the dual aspects of AI hallucinations. Read the blog post.


◆ Zheng He (1371–1433): China’s masterful mariner and diplomat

Admiral Zheng He’s fleet of 250 ships left an enduring mark on China’s trade, diplomacy, and wealth. Uncover the secrets of this 14th-century genius in Aldo Matteucci’s latest blog post. Read the blog post.


◆ Do nations coalesce into states under internal or external influences?

In this blog post, Aldo Matteucci discusses internal and external influences on state formation using the Roman Empire and China as historical examples. Read the blog post.


◆ Will your past achievements prevent your next promotion?

Aldo Matteucci delves into the Peter Principle, a concept suggesting that within any hierarchy, employees tend to be promoted up to their level of incompetence – and there they remain. Read the blog post.


◆ DW Weekly

  • Weekly #128: European Commission calls for an IPCC for AI | AI governance at US Senate judiciary hearings and closed-door meetings | Japan’s draft of AI voluntary rules confirms G7’s divergences
  • Weekly #129: Countries worried about AI risks; UN ready to host global AI body | OpenAI sued for copyright… again | International Criminal Court hacked | Intel hit with antitrust fine

◆ Exploring the impact of AI on hospitality, economy, copyright laws, NFTs, and new investment deals

In its latest blog post, DiploAI writes about the latest news concerning artificial intelligence. Read the blog post.


Latest videos

◆ DiplomacyLight podcast: How we avoided a nuclear war (Stanislav Petrov Day)

Forty years ago, on 26 September 1983, Stanislav Petrov trusted his instincts and avoided a nuclear catastrophe. In one of the most strained moments of the Cold War, Lieutenant Colonel Petrov was faced with an unimaginable decision. The early warning system he supervised signalled an incoming nuclear missile attack. If he confirmed to his superiors that a nuclear attack was imminent, the most likely response would have been a nuclear exchange between the two superpowers, but Petrov chose to trust his gut and we all owe him a debt of gratitude. Find out why in the video below!

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Don’t miss…

◆ AI Policy Summit 2023 (3–4 November)

In a world shaped by technological developments, it is of utmost importance to discuss the roles these technologies should play in society. The 4th AI Policy Summit continues the multistakeholder dialogue with leading experts to explore the use of public policy and societal engagement in harnessing the benefits of AI, minimising its risks, and enhancing its adoption.

The AI Policy Summit 2023 is organised by RegHorizon in collaboration with ETH Zurich Centre for Law and Economics together with a number of strategic partners (including Diplo) and will be held 3–4 November 2023 in Switzerland and online. Read more and register.

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