Hassan Al-Sitri
The Ministry of Interior, represented by the Information and e-Government Authority, confirmed that it had prepared a comprehensive study on the use of artificial intelligence technologies in diplomatic work, which included four main initiatives aimed at raising the efficiency of analysis and decision-making, developing diplomatic training, enhancing crisis management, and improving diplomatic protocols through smart solutions that contribute to the integration of technology with the Kingdom’s external work.
The Foreign Affairs, Defense and National Security Committee approved the proposal with a desire to use modern technology and artificial intelligence algorithms to enhance diplomatic work.
The Ministry of Interior, represented by the Information and e-Government Authority, explained that it has prepared a comprehensive study that addresses multiple initiatives aimed at exploring opportunities and challenges, and highlighting the added value that artificial intelligence technologies can achieve in diplomatic work, within its vision to enhance performance and achieve integration between technology and diplomacy. The study included four main initiatives:
– Intelligent Geopolitical Analyst: An analysis tool supported by artificial intelligence that targets diplomats and decision-makers to provide them with tools to analyze geopolitical data, which contributes to improving the accuracy of decisions, predicting challenges, and enhancing national soft power.
– Smart Diplomatic Trainer: A training platform that uses simulation techniques and artificial intelligence to develop the negotiating and cultural skills of diplomats and mediators, thus raising their efficiency and improving the effectiveness of cross-cultural training and communication.
– Smart Diplomat for Crisis Management: An intelligent system that helps analyze crises and make data-based decisions, and enhances national and regional readiness to manage emergency situations and international challenges efficiently.
– Diplomatic Protocol Management Tool: An application based on artificial intelligence to support adherence to cultural protocols and improve the effectiveness of digital meetings and negotiations, which contributes to enhancing the Kingdom’s diplomatic image and simplifying official procedures. The Authority stressed that these initiatives would contribute to strengthening national identity, supporting strategic decisions, and achieving technological integration in diplomatic work. For its part, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that it has created a digital system that connects all of the Kingdom of Bahrain’s diplomatic and consular missions around the world to the Ministry’s headquarters, to enhance the speed of communication and the efficiency of information exchange. She also pointed to the development of a virtual assistant application based on artificial intelligence techniques to serve diplomats and the public, in addition to adopting data analysis systems and extracting reports from open data, and working to benefit from the latest artificial intelligence programs available globally to improve the quality of diplomatic services.
As for the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, it stressed the need to take into account the technical and security aspects when using artificial intelligence in diplomatic work, stressing that technological development, despite the opportunities it provides to improve performance and productivity, carries with it many challenges and risks.
The Ministry highlighted several basic technical considerations, including the importance of the human role in decision-making and not relying entirely on smart systems, and the necessity of strong data governance and ensuring the ethical use of technologies. It also highlighted the challenges related to storing information locally instead of relying on cloud computing, the risks of media misinformation and electronic hacking, and the need to enhance cybersecurity and protect data privacy.
