Novel aspects of cultural diplomacy in the age of artificial intelligence

Abstract

This thesis aims to shed more light on possibilities of use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in cultural diplomacy. Second and third decades of the 21st century have been and will be marked by the influence of AI on development of humanity in general, but even more by expectations of humanity that AI will change the circumstances it operates and lives in. Some sectors of human activities are more prone to influence of AI at its present stage of development and in others people are more stirred by possibilities AI present and might present for them. Because of this it seems crucial to at least start predicting and analyzing the influence of AI in different, particular areas of human activities. Cultural diplomacy is one such area, additionally specific because of its somewhat elusive definition and shifting area it covers. This comes from the inherent problem that culture in its most general meaning encompasses all human activities and when an effort is made to narrow the field of culture down and assign specific activities to this more narrow field, as in the case of cultural diplomacy, researchers run into all kinds of challenges. Because of this it seems even more important to shed more light on the influence of AI in a field that is so elusive in itself and even without AI influences. And since AI influence on almost any field of human activity seems very likely, the question the thesis poses seems paramount for knowledge of contemporary and cultural diplomacy of the near future. ''Is there a potential in AI to shape cultural diplomacy in the future?'' is the question the thesis poses and provides the answer for. The answer to this question is provided in a seven chapter thesis, where after the introductory chapter second and third chapters provide theoretical review of cultural diplomacy and AI. Chapter four provides examples of use of AI in culture which are useful for increasing understanding of the general subject of the thesis, but is also practical since the examples presented have been used in the research. The research is depicted in chapter five, along with the results it harnessed. Analysis of these results is provided in chapter six. Final, seventh chapter provides conclusions and recommendations for possible use of AI in cultural diplomacy. By answering the thesis question a useful general indication of development of cultural diplomacy is depicted. Thesis also represents a useful view on the topic of implementation of AI in a specific area of cultural diplomacy. It also provides some concrete propositions for future use of AI in this field. The research conducted in order to supplement data that is the ground basis for answering the thesis question also provided some useful insights into the community of creative workers and the world of diplomats and the possible relations between these two if they decide to jointly implement AI for cultural diplomacy.