From winter of excitement, through a spring of metaphors and summer of reflection, to an autumn of clarity.
Autumn 2023
Since the launch of ChatGPT in November 2023, AI has evolved from a winter of excitement via a spring of metaphors and a summer of reflections to an autumn of clarity… Read more. 30 Nov 2023 |
Our quest for effective AI governance can be informed by legal wisdom of Valtazar Bogisic, drafter of the Montenegrin civil code (1888) Read more. 23 Nov 2023 |
Clarity in dealing with ‘known’ and transparency in addressing ‘unknown’ AI risks In the fervent discourse on AI governance, there’s an oversized focus on the risks from future AI, compared… Read more. 8 Nov 2023 |
As AI becomes a cornerstone of the global economy, its foundations must be anchored in community-driven data, knowledge, and wisdom. Read more. 7 Nov 2023 |
Read more on relevance of Kyoto Philosophy School for AI governance. Nishodo Kitara’s wisdom helps envision an AI future as an extension of our quest for meaning. Read more. 10 Oct 2023 |
Last week, as the corridors of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) buzzed with the chatter of global leaders, our team at Diplo delved into an unusual experiment: the analysis of… Read more. 29 Sep 2023 |
We have come to the end of our summer journey of ‘Recycling ideas’. We gathered ideas, concepts, and traditions that can help us build a social contract for the AI era. Building on these rich traditions and beliefs across cultures and centuries, we would be better equipped to address AI governance ahead of us.
In September, AI governance debates will jump-start during the annual meeting of the UN General Assembly in New York, a closed-door US Senate Session, and new AI regulatory initiatives in capitals worldwide.
We will enter an Axial age analogous to one that happened, according to German philosopher Karl Jasper, from 8 BC to 1 AD. He named this period ‘Axial Age’ as a time when “the spiritual cornerstones of humanity were established, both simultaneously and independently, through a plethora of religions and philosophical systems:
Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism in India; Taoism and Confucianism in China; Zoroastrianism in Persia; the teachings of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle in Greece; Judaism and Christianity in the Middle East; and Ubuntu in Africa.
Collectively, these belief systems forged a societal ‘operating system’ that continues to run our society until our time.

Now, as we stand at another pivotal moment, we must delve deep into this heritage to grapple with looming questions:
Will AI usurp human agency? Can humans retain the reins of our civilisation’s ‘mission control’? Will our age-old moral compass, which distinguishes right from wrong, endure in a digital age? And what must we do to ensure both technological and societal evolution?
Our quest for these answers might herald a new Axial Age that reshapes our understanding of human existence and the fabric of society.
Conversations in households, academic forums, religious assemblies, and political venues are shaping the foundations of the AI Axial Age. They touch upon our purpose, identity, and ethics.
Summer 2023
At our last stop of the summer journey ‘Recycling ideas’, we come to Geneva, a meeting place of technology and humanity for centuries. The city’s role is gaining new relevance… Read more. 28 Aug 2023 |
As negotiations on AI governance unfold, Africa’s participation is pivotal. The continent could contribute its Ubuntu etho-philosophy to the global shaping of AI rules. Ubuntu, deeply ingrained in African culture,… Read more. 18 Aug 2023 |
If you look for the source code of the operating system of modernity, you will end up in Vienna between the two world wars with five main thinkers: Ludwig Von… Read more. 25 Aug 2023 |
The Ambassadors, Holbein’s painting from 1533, has a strong symbolic meaning relevant to the AI era. Like in 16th century, we face a similar flux between the major promises of… Read more. 23 Aug 2023 |
This text provides a critical analysis of the interplay between rationality and humanity, their evolution as fundamental pillars of modernity, and the challenges that AI brings to these pillars. AI… Read more. 21 Aug 2023 |
This text delves into the wisdom of thinkers like Shang Yang, Confucius, and Lao Tze, illustrating their relevance in today’s AI landscape. Their teachings could inspire striking right balances among… Read more. 16 Aug 2023 |
Exploring the intersections of Ancient Greek philosophy and modern AI: Delve into the timeless insights of Socrates, Plato, and the Phaedrus dialogue as we navigate the challenges and opportunities of… Read more. 14 Aug 2023 |
Discover the evolution of the number zero, tracing its origins from ancient India, its role in the Islamic Golden Age, to its significance in today’s digital world. Join us in… Read more. 11 Aug 2023 |
This text draws parallels between Socratic questioning and AI prompting, underscoring the value of critical thinking in AI interactions. It views AI prompting as a philosophical inquiry that draws on… Read more. 1 Aug 2023 |
We’re at a turning point in history, facing an AI Era that echoes the transformative Axial Age. From ethics to identity, peace to prosperity, our choices today shape tomorrow’s world.… Read more. 9 Aug 2023 |
More readings
on AI, governance, and philosophy
The bottom-up development of AI is critical for our freedom and prosperity since it offers a way for citizens and communities to regain digital control. Otherwise, the AI future will… Read more. 23 May 2023 |
Our imperfections define us as much as our perfections. Our right to be imperfect protects our core humanity. It is our refuge in the tech optimisation race, which we cannot… Read more. 26 May 2023 |
Can AI decipher the complex layers and multifaceted meanings inherent in diplomatic language? The answer is in the power of AI in dealing with ambiguities, analogies, ‘unsaid’, and other characteristics… Read more. 6 Jul 2023 |
Discover how SDGs can be used as AI guardrails. Learn why tech developers, CEOs and investors should follow the SDGs while creating AI platforms. Read more. 30 Jun 2023 |
The Turing test is used to see if a machine (AI) can mimic humans. But as AI advances, the Turing test is not sufficient. We should use the flea market… Read more. 14 Jun 2023 |
humAInism
At Diplo we approach AI from a wide range of perspectives, including technological, governance, diplomatic, philosophical, artistic, and linguistical.
We combine them into a unique interplay for teaching, research, and AI development. Ultimately, they aim at anchoring AI into the core values of humanity (humAInism)
Diplo: Effective and inclusive diplomacy
Diplo is a non-profit foundation established by the governments of Malta and Switzerland. Diplo works to increase the role of small and developing states, and to improve global governance and international policy development.
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