This volume discusses digital diplomacy and artificial intelligence within the context of global governance and international security. Rapid digitalization has changed the way international actors interact, offering new opportunities for international and bilateral cooperation and reinforcing the role of the emergent actors within global governance. New phenomena linked to digitalization and artificial intelligence are emerging and this volume brings a multidisciplinary, mixed-methods approach to studying them. Written by globally recognized experts, each chapter presents a case study covering an emerging topic such as: international regulation of the web and digital diplomacy, the interplay of artificial intelligence and cyber diplomacy, social media and artificial intelligence as tools for digital diplomacy, the malicious use of artificial intelligence, cyber security, and data sovereignty. Incorporating both theory and practice, quantitative and qualitative analysis, this volume will be of interest to graduate students and researchers in international relations, diplomacy, security studies, and artificial intelligence, as well as diplomats and policymakers looking to understand the implications of digitalization and artificial intelligence in their fields.

The field of diplomacy has seen a significant transition in an age marked by quick technical breakthroughs and linked global networks. Diplomacy itself has been redefined as the once solely physical domain of international interactions has entered the digital era. The aim of "The Virtual Vanguards: Exploring the Evolution of Digital Diplomacy" is to explore the unexplored waters of this developing topic within this framework. As information continues to move freely across borders and through time and space, governments are presented with new possibilities and obstacles in their pursuit of successful diplomatic engagement.

In recent years, digital technologies have substantially impacted the world of diplomacy. From social media platforms and artificial intelligence to smartphone application and virtual meetings, digital technologies have proven disruptive impacting the norms, practices and logics of diplomats, states, and diplomatic institutions. Although the term digital diplomacy is commonly used by academics and diplomats, few works to date have clearly defined this term or offered a comprehensive analysis of its evolution. This handbook investigates digital diplomacy as a practice, as a process and as a form of disruption. Written by leading experts in the field, this comprehensive volume delves into the ways in which digital technologies are being used to achieve foreign policy goals, and how diplomats are adapting to the digital age. The Oxford Handbook of Digital Diplomacy explores the shifting power dynamics in diplomacy, exploring the establishment of embassies in technology hubs, the challenges faced by foreign affairs departments in adapting to digital technologies, and the utilization of digital tools as a means of exerting influence. Utilizing a multidisciplinary approach, including theories from international relations, diplomacy studies, communications, sociology, internet studies, and psychology, the handbook examines the use of digital technologies for international development in the Global South, the efforts to combat digital disinformation in the Middle East, and the digital policies of countries in Europe and the Asia-Pacific. Through case studies and in-depth analysis, readers will gain a comprehensive understanding of the term "digital diplomacy" and the many ways in which diplomacy has evolved in the digital age.

Digital diplomacy is the latest technological advance to push change in diplomatic practice. It relates to the application of digital technologies, including information and communication technologies, software engineering and big data, and artificial intelligence, to the practice of diplomacy. Positioned in the top ranks of connectivity, internet speed, smartphone ownership, and social media usage, South Korea should be a leader in the use of digital technologies in diplomatic practice. However, South Korea is not a leader; indeed, it has been left behind. I explore digital diplomacy as a “disruptive technology” and look at criteria for organizational adaptation. I then use these criteria to assess South Korea's adaptation and draw from these the specific policy challenges facing South Korea. To conclude, I propose four core criteria to aid digital diplomacy adaptation in South Korea and other similar states.

New technological innovations have given birth to paradigms such as robotization, increased and advanced mechanization, and dehumanization of public diplomacy around the world. Other related developments have been the acceleration and growing popularization of the smart city concept as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, which have all combined to compel almost all major industries—including diplomacy—to shift online and to be revolutionized. The COVID-19 Pandemic and the Digitalization of Diplomacy explores the influences of the new ICTs, AI, and smart cultures on the conduct of public diplomacy. It further examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the conduct of digital diplomacy in the world and analyzes the implications of the dynamics of ICTs and AI for teaching and research in digital diplomacy. Covering topics such as defense diplomacy, the fourth industrial revolution, and technological determinism, this premier reference source is an essential resource for diplomats, politicians, government officials, ICT developers, students and educators of higher education, librarians, researchers, and academicians.

"History of Diplomacy and Technology: From Smoke Signals to Artificial Intelligence" is a captivating exploration of the intricate relationship between diplomacy and technology throughout history. This book unveils the influence of technological advancements on diplomatic practices while highlighting the principles that guide the pursuit of peace. Tracing back to prehistoric societies, the book reveals the evolution of communication methods and the birth of early forms of diplomacy. It delves into how the invention of writing revolutionized diplomatic interactions in ancient civilizations, becoming the foundation for peace agreements and diplomatic records that remain relevant today. Journeying through ancient Greece, readers discover the influence of cryptography and the hydraulic telegraph on diplomatic practices. The book then transports them to the Byzantine Empire, renowned for its sophisticated diplomatic systems spanning over a millennium. Continuing the narrative, readers arrive in Renaissance Italy, witnessing the establishment of permanent diplomatic missions and archives that laid the groundwork for modern diplomacy. They explore the transformative impact of the printing press and the Protestant Reformation on the diplomatic landscape. Enter the era of ground-breaking technologies as the book examines the telegraph's revolutionary role in redefining the roles and tools of diplomats. It explores how the advent of the telephone facilitated direct and immediate communication between diplomats and heads of state. Moving through the twentieth century, readers witness the significant diplomatic implications of radio and television technology, influencing international relations and enabling global communication. Transitioning to the digital age, the book explores the transformative power of the internet and social media on diplomatic practices. It examines their role in public diplomacy, negotiation processes, and the multifaceted functions of modern diplomacy. Throughout the narrative, the book weaves cultural and intellectual contexts, deepening the understanding of the interplay between technology, diplomacy, and broader historical developments. As readers embark on this journey, they traverse the corridors of history, witnessing the nuanced shifts and dramatic revolutions in diplomatic practice driven by technological progress. This concise and engaging book provides a comprehensive exploration of the evolution of diplomacy, revealing the enduring threads of continuity, adaptation, and resilience that define its essence.

The handbook delves into the shifting power dynamics in diplomacy, exploring the establishment of embassies in technology hubs, the challenges faced by foreign affairs departments in adapting to digital technologies, and the utilization of digital tools as a means of exerting influence.

This book examines how international organisations (IOs) have struggled to adapt to the digital age, and with social media in particular. The global spread of new digital communication technologies has profoundly transformed the way organisations operate and interact with the outside world. This edited volume explores the impact of digital technologies, with a focus on social media, for one of the major actors in international affairs, namely IOs. To examine the peculiar dynamics characterising the IO–digital nexus, the volume relies on theoretical insights drawn from the disciplines of International Relations, Diplomatic Studies, Media, and Communication Studies, as well as from Organisation Studies. The volume maps the evolution of IOs’ "digital universe" and examines the impact of digital technologies on issues of organisational autonomy, legitimacy, and contestation. The volume’s contributions combine engaging theoretical insights with newly compiled empirical material and an eclectic set of methodological approaches (multivariate regression, network analysis, content analysis, sentiment analysis), offering a highly nuanced and textured understanding of the multifaceted, complex, and ever-evolving nature of the use of digital technologies by international organisations in their multilateral engagements. This book will be of much interest to students of diplomacy, media, and communication studies, and international organisations.