THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY-JUNE 2026 43 be classified, even while intake, capture, and tagging of media sources may sit initially outside and be pulled in for better analytical integration. An unclassified version of the AI tool could “read” an article in a Panamanian paper, transcribe it into English with relevant data tagging to facilitate storage and retrieval, and then create a mirror copy in the classified system. What Will AI Bring to Diplomacy? There is no shortage of wild futuristic scenarios for diplomats. My favorite is the idea of wearables for the obligatory embassy receptions, where I’m guided to engage with key contacts. As I approach them, my bot reminds me of my relationship with them and their children’s names and hobbies, as well as giving me a prompt or two for the key intelligence gathering I ought to be doing—which, of course, is being recorded automatically and simultaneously translated if my language skills are rusty. We’re not there yet. But I believe there has never been a better time to be a diplomat posted abroad. AI will soon facilitate speeding up the learning curve, staying briefed on all relevant news, building profiles of key contacts, and winning outcomes for U.S. national interests. For diplomats, whose currency is that of developing and maintaining human relationships that are then used to further the mission, AI is a powerful tool rather than a competitive threat. The career diplomats who adapt to this disruptive technology will thrive and, I am convinced, be recognized for years to come for their contributions. n As Foreign Service personnel move to new postings, as frequently as every two years, that knowledge typically leaves with them, and their replacements have to start all over again.
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