How is digitalisation impacting diplomacy? Often referred to as the second oldest profession in the world, diplomacy is undergoing a profound transformation because of technological changes. Digitalisation is affecting all traditional diplomatic functions, from information gathering to negotiation, as well as all diplomatic tools, from embassies to dispatches. A new ‘reality’ is taking hold of diplomacy via the pervasive use of digital tools and apps, creating new diplomatic practices (e.g. digital ambassadors, virtual embassies, WhatsApp groups) and revisiting old ones (e.g. news aggregators, conflict predicting apps). These changes are affecting diplomatic time, increasing its tempo. They are also impacting diplomatic spaces, ‘flattening’ geography but opening up new divides between those at the centre and at the periphery of diplomatic conversations. These challenges will have an impact on global conversations about foreign affairs, which explains why the debate is so contentious.
Federica Bicchi is Associate Professor of International Relations at LSE [ Ссылка ].
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