28 JUNE 2024 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL The benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) for diplomacy are not a foregone conclusion. AI promises to revolutionize our work lives, save us time, enable collaboration, and make us more productive—just like email and Teams both did. If you shuddered when I said that, you understand my point: attending to our email and Teams has become a dominant task, and often one that feels totally disconnected from the human relationship–building at the core of our diplomatic craft. It is entirely possible that AI will suffer the same fate, becoming a distraction at best and a timedrain at worst. But it does not have to be that way. If we address our institutional faults, we can again put people at the center of our work. And I am more convinced than ever that adopting AI is a critical part of how we can successfully navigate the difficult geostrategic moment we are in. The Strategic Imperative Adopting AI to support our diplomatic work is not just a matter of efficiency; it’s a strategic imperative. In a world beset with multiple, overlapping crises, our diplomatic corps is stretched thin. AI can help automate administrative tasks, analyze complex data, and provide actionable insights. In doing so, AI can Paul Kruchoski, a career member of the Senior Executive Service, is the director of the Office of Policy, Planning, and Resources for Public Diplomacy (R/PPR). Earlier, he led the creation and growth of the Research and Evaluation Unit (REU), which helps public diplomacy practitioners use evidence and knowledge to make better-informed decisions. Previous assignments include deputy director of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ Collaboratory, special assistant in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and several positions in the Bureau of International Organization Affairs. Outside his work, Paul is an accomplished cellist. At the Crossroads Of Tradition and Innovation with AI Making AI work at State requires challenging the culture that underlies the department’s siloed structure. BY PAUL KRUCHOSKI FOCUS ON AI FOR DIPLOMACY
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