Public Diplomacy in the Digital Age

As disruptive digital tools and trends shape world affairs, CPD and our community of public diplomacy scholars are steadily creating a body of research and analysis on the role of the latest technologies in public diplomacy.

CPD Publications, Analysis, & Multimedia

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CPD Research Fellow and Assistant Professor at the University of Copenhagen, Kristin Anabel Eggeling, discusses diplomacy amid digitalization and technological change.

Image of a man climbing towards a door to AI by elnur via Canva

In the post-truth era, public diplomacy counters online falsehoods and promotes compelling digital narratives for one's own truth.

With AI rapidly influencing the field of public diplomacy, we share notable readings and presentations from the CPD research network during the past year.

November 7, 2023

Emilio Ferrara is a Professor of Communication and Computer Science at the USC Information Sciences Institute and the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.

 
 

Dmitri Williams is a member of CPD's Professional Training Faculty and a professor at USC Annenberg, where he teaches courses on technology and society, games and data analytics. 

Can artificial intelligence be a force for good in the practice of public diplomacy, despite the risks?  

CPD Faculty Member Margaret Moser taught the Summer Institute course, “Video Games and Public Diplomacy.”

A communications executive, educator and nonprofit founder, Beyah is a member of CPD's Professional Training Faculty. 

May 30, 2023

As we continue to learn more about artificial intelligence and its role in public diplomacy, CPD shares a round-up of research exploring the topic.

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CPD Research Fellow Ilan Manor indicates how AIs, without proper regulation, can pose a series of challenges to public diplomacy.

The latest issue in our scholarly paper series is an article by CPD Research Fellow Ilan Manor.

Photo: K-pop group member Lisa (Lalisa Manobal, center) is of Thai origin and was praised by Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha for featuring Thai culture in a popular music video. (Photo by oAQeyGW via Flickr.)

From K-pop idols representing ASEAN to maximizing regional information societies, what does the future hold for Korea-ASEAN relations?

Virtual skateboarding metaverse image by vector pocket via freepik.org

CPD Research Fellow Ilan Manor considers forward-looking perspectives on virtual technologies and PD. 

Get to know CPD’s professional training faculty.

Bob Wekesa of the African Centre for the Study of the United States argues that COVID-19 has produced an unprecedented uptick in African digital diplomacy.

CPD Faculty Fellow Corneliu Bjola discusses how artificial intelligence (AI) may be integrated into consular services, crisis management, public diplomacy and international negotiations. 

If artificial intelligence (AI) is the future of technology, what's its role in public diplomacy?

Why social listening is a critical tool for managing a country's image. 

The second post of this two-part series delves into what President Trump's hyperreal digital activity means for public diplomacy.

Including five counter-disinformation tactics for diplomats.

A new paper by CPD Research Fellow Ali Fisher challenges current CVE approaches by revealing the unique network structure of the "Media Mujahidin."

This discussion paper addresses common challenges in analyzing Twitter advocacy campaigns.

Examining governmental advocacy efforts abroad in today's digital environment.

The most comprehensive bibliography of digital diplomacy to date.

In the latest CPD Perspectives paper, titled "Practicing Successful Twitter Public Diplomacy: A model and case study of U.S. efforts in Venezuela," Erika Yepsen examines the role Twitter can play in public diplomacy, and how current policy needs to adapt to enable government to capitalize upon the benefits of the technology to engage effectively online.

Events, Conferences & Workshops

Understanding and Combating Disinformation in Public DiplomacyUnderstanding and Combating Disinformation in Public Diplomacy

On March 14, 2024, CPD hosted a conversation on combating disinformation in public diplomacy at the USC Capital Campus in Washington, D.C.

AI in Africa: Data Sovereignty and Policy Implications

CPD and The Black Policy Institute hosted an online conversation on the impact of technology in Africa, with a deep dive into data sovereignty and policy implications.

Kristina Lerman

On November 30, 2023, hosted Kristina Lerman for an online conversation on emotions and polarization on social media, and AI.

Alexander Hunt

On October 18, 2023, CPD hosted Alexander Hunt, Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Guinea, for an online conversation on AI.

Erik Nisbet - The psychology of state-sponsored disinformation campaigns

On August 24, 2023, CPD Faculty Fellow Erik Nisbet joined us for a virtual conversation about the psychology of state-sponsored disinformation campaigns.

 

Map of interconnected countries by CarlosAndreSantos via iStock
December 15, 2022

CPD hosted a panel on the current and future implications of visual communication in diplomatic messaging.

Ameri Prize graphic

CPD is pleased to announce the 2022 recipient of the Ameri Prize for Innovation in Public Diplomacy.

Person holding mobile device surrounded by icons. Image via iStock.com.

Jason Wulfsohn, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of AUDIENCEX, will discuss the latest approaches to reaching audiences using enterprise technology platforms

 

Ukraine and Russia Flags

Join us for a panel on the characteristics of the information war in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and its impact on global public opinion.

CPD hosted a forum at the National Museum of American Diplomacy in Washington, D.C., on May 2, 2022.

Image via iStock

Cutting-edge research on digital spaces and how to develop effective messaging for your audiences. 

CPD Faculty Fellow Corneliu Bjola will address the digital future of PD practice.

New communication tools in the digital era have enabled governments to engage audiences, home and abroad, about key policy decisions and much more. Given that these audiences no longer need traditional information gatekeepers, today’s public diplomacy officers must be flexible, reactive and swift, especially on social media. This is why realtime computational methods to collect, manage and analyze social media data in real time is key to the future of public diplomacy.

Watch exclusive video interviews with experts in diplomacy, design-thinking, Facebook political advertising and more from Diplocamp 2019 in Brussels.

Related CPD Research Projects

January 11, 2024

Principal Investigator:
Alexander Evans, CPD Research Fellow 2024-26

A hand holding out a virtual technology global network by khonkorn via canva.com

Principal Investigator:
Kristin Anabel Eggeling, CPD Research Fellow 2023-25

Principal Investigator:
Ilan Manor, CPD Research Fellow 2019-21