The Power and Peril Of AI-Generated Imagery in Diplomacy

Abstract: 

This paper explores the extent of the interaction of diplomacy with Artificial Intelligence (AI), specifically with AI-generated imagery such as deepfakes, as it moves rapidly into the digital public sphere. With central focus on perception and narrative control, this paper uses a comparative analysis using three case studies from around the world in order to investigate how these visuals can manipulate international discourse, while also further examining the legal and ethical implications by identifying major gaps in jurisdiction and oversight. It argues that, ultimately, the power of AI in diplomacy lies not in the image themselves, but in how they are perceived, circulated, and later acted upon. Without the presence of clear international standards, AI generated imagery risks being a tool of division rather than cooperation. The findings of this paper underscore the urgent need for rights-based regulatory frameworks that balance innovation of technologies such as AI with ethical responsibility, ensuring that AI strengthens global and public diplomacy.