Political Science and International Affairs Research

Emerging Technologies And Their Impact On 

International Relations And Global Security/Foreign Policy

- Overview

Emerging technologies bring new dynamics and challenges with significant implications for international relations, global security and foreign policy. They affect how countries interact, the nature of conflict, and diplomatic and defense strategies. For example, artificial intelligence can be used for complex data analysis in international relations, while advances in genetic engineering raise concerns about biosafety.

Politics, economics and business are closely linked. Political decisions influence economic policy, which in turn influences business operations. In turn, businesses can influence political and economic policies through lobbying and other activities. This forms a complex web of relationships, with each field influencing the other.

Politics and economics are intertwined, in which business plays a vital role, forming a dynamic relationship between the two, with each field influencing the other. Understanding this interconnectedness is essential to navigating the complex world of business and policy.

The study and practice of international relations is inherently interdisciplinary, integrating fields such as economics, history and political science to study topics such as human rights, global poverty, environment, economy, globalization, security, global ethics and the political environment.

Extraordinary economic integration, unprecedented threats to peace and security, and international concerns about human rights and environmental protection highlight the complexity of international relations in the 21st century.

- Relationship of Emerging Technologies, International Relations, Global Security, and Foreign Policy

Emerging technologies are significantly impacting international relations, global security, and foreign policy, creating both opportunities and challenges. Artificial intelligence (AI), cyber, and robotics are reshaping global politics, influencing everything from military operations to diplomatic negotiations. 

These technologies are also raising complex ethical and security concerns that require careful consideration and international cooperation. 

1. Impact on International Relations:

• AI in Diplomacy: AI can enhance data analysis and predictive modeling, enabling more informed diplomatic decisions and negotiations.
• Cyber Warfare: The rise of cyber threats, including those utilizing AI, poses a significant challenge to international security and stability.
• Tech Diplomacy: Technology can facilitate new forms of diplomacy, including online engagement and public diplomacy, but also requires addressing the challenges of misinformation and manipulation.
• Global Governance: The need for international frameworks and regulations to govern the use of emerging technologies, particularly AI, is growing.
• Economic Competition: The race to develop and deploy advanced technologies, such as AI and quantum computing, is becoming a major factor in economic competition and strategic rivalry among nations.

2. Impact on Global Security and Foreign Policy:

• Military Applications of AI: AI can be used for various military purposes, including command and control, logistics, and cyber operations, potentially altering the nature of warfare.
• Autonomous Weapons Systems: The development of autonomous weapons systems raises ethical and legal questions about accountability and the potential for unintended consequences.
• Cybersecurity: AI can enhance cybersecurity defenses, but also be used to create more sophisticated cyber threats, creating a complex arms race in cyberspace.
• Strategic Stability and Deterrence: Emerging technologies can influence strategic stability and deterrence, potentially leading to miscalculations and accidental conflicts.
• Data Analysis and Intelligence: AI can be used to analyze massive amounts of data, providing valuable insights for intelligence gathering and decision-making.

3. Challenges and Opportunities: 

• Ethical Concerns: AI and other emerging technologies raise ethical concerns about bias, discrimination, and the potential for misuse.
• Cybersecurity Risks: The increasing reliance on technology creates vulnerabilities to cyberattacks, requiring robust cybersecurity measures.
• Geopolitical Implications: The spread of emerging technologies can exacerbate geopolitical tensions and create new forms of competition and conflict.
• Digital Divide: The benefits of emerging technologies may not be evenly distributed, exacerbating existing inequalities and creating new digital divides.
• International Cooperation: Addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by emerging technologies requires international cooperation and the development of global governance frameworks.

- Main Objectives

1945 was a year of fundamental change for all of humanity. Some see it as the year that World War II ended. Others see it as a sign of the beginning of the atomic age. Numerous wartime, political, and economic events are linked by many and see this as the beginning of American primacy and dominance across the globe. 

Emerging technologies are profoundly reshaping international relations. From AI and blockchain to quantum computing and biotechnology, these innovations are changing how countries interact, cooperate, and compete on the global stage. These advances present both opportunities and challenges. 

AI has the potential to significantly transform the study of political science and international affairs, providing new tools for analysis, prediction, and decision-making. However, it is critical to address ethical challenges and ensure that AI is used in a responsible and transparent manner.

EITA international affairs research covers a range of cross-cutting issues, including global economy and trade, space and maritime security, diplomacy, emerging technologies, global health and education, nation-building, and regional security and stability. EITA also analyzes the policies and effectiveness of international organizations such as the United Nations, NATO, the European Union and ASEAN.

- Emerging Technologies And Their Impact On International Relations And Global Security

Looking at the issues of International Relations and Security (IR&S) and Foreign Policy (FP) from the perspective of an innovation researcher is a dialectical challenge. 

On the one hand, it is always limited to the understanding of IR&S theory and lacks a natural understanding of theory; on the other hand, it may reveal some hidden trends at the intersection of technology and IR&S/FP. 

This problem is particularly serious for emerging technologies, as most of them are in a relatively early stage of development. Given these two issues, the following should be seen as an identification of trends and issues rather than a clear and rigorous analysis of events and processes that have already taken shape. 

IR&S is always strongly influenced by emerging technologies and disruptive innovations - both directly (weapons, technology-enabled alliances, FP goals, etc.) and indirectly (economic and defense potential, soft power, etc.). Whether it is new modes of communication and transportation, nuclear weapons or anti-HIV drugs - technologies such as gravity physics are building or reshaping the IR&S/FP space and affecting the pace of this process. 

Current technological developments are a challenge for IR&S. Leaving aside traditional weapons, hypersonic missiles, and other high-tech advances, we have witnessed the rise and flourishing of emerging technologies that could have transformative impacts on the economy, politics, culture, and IR&S. 

The most notable integrated high-tech sectors include: mobile 5G/6G, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and a range of related digital technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and big data blockchain, quantum computing, advanced robotics, self-driving cars and other autonomous systems, additive manufacturing (3D printing), social networking, next-generation biotechnology and genetic engineering, and more.

[Africa Map - United Nations]

- Power and Neo-colonialism in the Emerging Technology Era

An open question is power and neocolonialism in the age of emerging technologies. Despite rising research, development and innovation capabilities and high-tech industries in emerging and other developing countries, most technological advances are still occurring in very few developed countries. Whether it's the development of artificial intelligence, biotechnology, robotics, or 3D printing, with the exception of China (in some areas), other countries mostly play the role of technology recipients, or at best, niche leaders. 

Extrapolating current technology, innovation and economic trends, we can predict the Matthew effect in emerging technology sectors and the growing reliance of most countries on technology exports and services from a small group of leading economies. Because of the strong linkages and interdependence between providers and consumers of the most important technologies, it can translate into IR&S (International Relations and Security) impacts or “red lines”. 

Even if this influence is distributed among a group of IR&S players including multinational corporations, we may face more complex and subtle lines of dominance/subordination and power in IR&S in the new technological revolution field. No matter how easy this yoke, however lightly burdened, it adds some new accent to old problems of power and dependence, especially in North-South relations [- between the rich industrialized nations of the non-communist world ("North ”) and the so-called developing countries (“South”)].

- International Relations and Political Science

International relations is a relatively new field that studies the unique relationships between different countries and cultures and how they affect different aspects of society, from economics to law, security and governance. It focuses on the impact of global development while giving you a deeper understanding of current international issues such as climate change and human rights. 

The world never stands still. It's constantly evolving, sometimes getting better, sometimes getting worse. While it is necessary to be aware of what is going on around you, it is equally important to have a say in these changes. One way to participate in the system of order of a country, state, or another political unit is through political science.

Political science is a classic social science discipline that focuses on the organization and management of states through the study of various forms of government, public policy, and political behavior within a state and around the world. This field can be thought of as the study of a country and its people in relation to an organized state.

Although the terms "political science" and "political science" are often used interchangeably, there is a difference between the two. The English term "Politics" is derived from the Greek word "polis", which refers to a city-state. Still, politics is much more than that, as it combines state and power. 

The systematic study form of political science first began with the Greeks in the fourth century BC, when great philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle began to use it. Aristotle even called it "master science" because it involved states, governments, and other social institutions, such as the family. 

On the other hand, political science analyzes the state and the power associated with it in various forms and aspects. Political science encompasses theories related to the state, sovereign power, the structure and functions of government, the making and enforcement of laws, political parties, and elections.

- AI Transforms Political Science and International Affairs Research

Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing Political Science and International Affairs research by offering new tools for data analysis, prediction, and communication. This includes enhancing diplomatic efforts, improving decision-making, and even potentially changing how we understand and react to global events. 

1. Enhanced Data Analysis and Prediction:

• Predictive Analytics: AI-driven models can analyze vast datasets to identify patterns, trends, and potential risks in international relations. This helps policymakers understand complex geopolitical dynamics and make more informed decisions.
• Early Warning Systems: AI can assess political tensions, economic trends, and social movements to provide early warnings about potential conflicts.
• Economic Forecasting: AI can improve the accuracy of economic forecasting, which is crucial for trade negotiations and understanding global economic trends.

• Real-time Insights: AI can provide diplomats with actionable insights in real-time, facilitating more effective decision-making in rapidly changing geopolitical landscapes.
• Language Translation: AI can support real-time language translation, enabling more effective communication in multilingual diplomatic settings.
• Communication Efficiency: AI can improve communication within diplomatic networks and across borders, allowing for more coordinated initiatives.

• "New Technology Diplomacy": AI is fostering the development of "new technology diplomacy," where technological advancements are used to foster cooperation and mitigate conflicts.
• Understanding Complex Systems: AI can help researchers better understand the complexities of international relations and the interactions between different actors.