Foreign Policy at the AI Frontier

Branka Panic is the Founding Director of AI for Peace, a US-based think tank ensuring that AI benefits peace, security, and sustainable development. Panic is a Fellow at the NYU Center on International Cooperation, Stimson-Microsoft Responsible AI Fellow, and a member of UNESCO Women4Ethical AI. She is a Senior Adviser on AI to the German Federal Foreign Office and worked as a Professor of Practice of the Conflict Transformation master's class at the University of North Carolina. She holds an MA in International Development Policy from Duke University, Sanford School of Public Policy, and an MS in International Security from the University of Belgrade, Serbia. She is a co-author of the book AI for Peace (Routledge, 2024).

“As Stephen Hawking once warned, ‘our future is a race between the growing power of technology and the wisdom with which we use it’. As Branka Panic in her important book suggests, we must make sure that wisdom wins. This book is required reading for all those committed to associating technology and peace.”Antonio de Aguiar Patriota, Ambassador of Brazil to the United Kingdom“The book Foreign Policy at the AI Frontier takes us on a journey through the most important developments in the field of AI and their impact on foreign and security policy. How is AI changing geopolitics and global governance, and what impact does this have on diplomacy? Using practical examples, the author introduces us to the subject matter, urging us to engage with AI, invest in it, and view it not as a threat but as a tool for a more efficient, forward‑looking foreign policy.”Susanne Fries‑Gaier, German Ambassador to Chile“AI is one of the most consequential forces reshaping diplomacy and global power. Foreign Policy at the AI frontier provides rare and clear insights into the complexities of AI thoroughly addressing its challenges and implications for security, crisis management, peace building and global governance. This book is recommended for diplomats and policy makers managing the opportunities and risks associated with international relations in the context of advance technologies.”Aïchatou Mindaoudou, Former Foreign Minister of Niger, Former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations“At a time when much of the global debate on artificial intelligence is focused on economic or political dominance, this publication confronts masterfully one of the harder questions: how AI is becoming both an object of diplomatic negotiation and a tool that is transforming diplomacy itself. As a proud partner of Branka at the Women4EthicalAI, I share her conviction that the challenge before us is not simply to prepare for a technological tsunami, but to shape the currents in ways that enhance human security and deliver a more peaceful future.”Gabriela Ramos, Economist and diplomat shaping global standards on inclusive economies and ethical AI"Foreign Policy at the Frontier of AI is an indispensable guide to international relations as AI bursts onto the scene. Clear, accessible, and free of jargon, the book demystifies AI, revealing in clear and compelling detail how AI’s distinct qualities can be used to foster peace and progress, or alternatively, to consolidate power. The author’s moral compass illuminates the stakes and helps us understand the choices ahead. With its detailed and lively uses of tech history and political analysis, this book empowers readers to make informed, ethical choices. It should be required reading for policy makers and citizens alike as they consider the possibilities for an AI-enabled, value-centered world order."Joel H. Rosenthal, President, Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs"This is a timely and powerful exploration of how artificial intelligence will fundamentally transform diplomacy, from day-to-day statecraft to the future of global governance. Branka Panic expertly tackles the realities of AI-driven great power competition while offering a clear-eyed analysis of what is at stake for international stability. What truly sets this work apart is that, while much AI research dwells on risks and threats, Panic turns our attention to how AI can be deliberately designed and deployed for peacemaking. The result is an essential, forward-looking contribution that challenges policymakers, scholars, and technologists to imagine AI not just as a source of danger, but as a tool for peace."Trita Parsi, Executive Vice President, Quincy Institute"Broad in scope, yet extremely relevant and accessible for foreign policy practitioners; the book provides an extremely rich and inspiring glimpse into the art and craft of diplomacy in the age of AI. Bridging theoretical and ethical aspects and tech, Branka Panic helps diplomats to equip themselves with relevant knowledge for today’s challenging times.” Hans-Christian Mangelsdorf, Chief Data Scientist, German Federal Foreign Office

• Introduction1. Through the Looking Glass of History: Understanding AI's Transformation of Diplomacy2. The Rise of Tech Diplomacy and the Role of Tech Diplomats3. The AI Politician: From AI Political Parties to AI Ministers - A Foreign Policy Reckoning4. The AI Arms Race: The New Frontier of Geopolitical Competition 5. AI and Global Security: New Reality of Lethal Autonomy, Nuclear Risk and Cyber Warfare6. AI and Economic Security: Promise, Disruption, and the Battle for Sovereign AI 7. AI in Crisis Management: From Early Warning Systems to Agentic Diplomacy