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This week, our President, Abhivardhan, delivered a riveting and thought-provoking session on “AI Bias & the Overlap of AI Diplomacy and Governance Ethics Dilemmas” for the Indian Forum for Public Diplomacy (IFPD).Far from a typical academic talk or armchair lecture, this was a dynamic exploration of how AI is reshaping global diplomacy and ethics, sparking lively discussions and bold ideas!

Here’s what made the session electrifying:The Nexus of AI x Diplomacy:

• Abhivardhan unveiled how AI systems act as “diplomatic units,” proactively shaping statecraft in multilateral forums. From AI-powered conflict prevention and early warning systems to analyzing voting patterns in the UN General Assembly, he showcased AI’s untapped potential to redefine diplomatic expertise. He also tackled the complexities of integrating AI with digital public infrastructure and navigating sovereignty layers—application, data, and algorithmic infrastructure—that demand nuanced governance.
  Normative Emergence and Norm Creation: He revealed how technical AI decisions evolve into binding norms through recursive practices, turning data quality standards into legal mandates (e.g., Microsoft’s ISO 42001 adoption). Abhivardhan highlighted how geographical factors—like infrastructure placement and cultural competencies—challenge the “aspatial” myth of cyberspace, with community-driven standards in platforms like the Fediverse shaping governance.
  International Algorithmic Law (IAL): Proposing a bold framework, he defined IAL as a new field governing algorithmic transactions, rooted in data-centric cyber sovereignty. He urged governments to assess AI based on capabilities, not anthropomorphic assumptions, and integrate diverse cultural perspectives beyond Western frameworks, while leveraging soft law for flexible global cooperation.
  Commercialization’s Impact on Public Diplomacy: Abhivardhan exposed how AI-generated “slop” erodes trust in information, weakening diplomatic soft power. He discussed how algorithmic hegemony (e.g., U.S. dominance in AI markets) creates leverage, while export controls and public-private partnerships—like Singapore’s Google Cloud collaboration or Italy’s ChatGPT ban—reshape global relations and spark tensions.
  Technical AI Biases and Diplomatic Fallout: He highlighted how 82% of AI ethics codes stem from WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic) countries, sidelining Global South perspectives and fueling diplomatic friction. From stereotypical AI-generated imagery to language model biases causing “diachronic interpretability failures,” these gaps harm cross-cultural ties and international business.
  Diplomatic Approaches for AI Safety and Governance: Abhivardhan advocated for soft law frameworks and issue-specific governance to foster collaboration without rigid treaties. He emphasized culturally inclusive approaches, whole-of-government strategies (e.g., India’s IndiaAI Mission), and harmonized technical standards to bridge policy divides while preserving sovereignty.

This wasn’t just a lecture—it was a wake-up call to rethink AI’s role in diplomacy, blending cutting-edge tech with the high-stakes world of global relations.