Expanding Inclusivity in Peace Processes Through Artificial Intelligence (AI).
New technologies are playing a critical – and sometimes controversial – role in today’s conflict settings, posing challenges to the UN in managing information around mediation processes. At the same time, the increased use of technology also has the potential to create new opportunities, enhance the inclusivity of peace processes, and broaden the participation of women and young people.
In an age of rapidly changing conflict realities and challenges, the UN strives to innovate to keep its work in the realm of peace and security fit-for-purpose. Through experimental initiatives that leverage new technologies, human-centered approaches and systems-level application, the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs continues to push boundaries as we seek to ensure that peace is inclusive, representative of the full complexity of our world, and sustainable.
The Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs nurtures a culture of innovation to enhance our work in conflict prevention, mediation and peacebuilding while also committing to better understanding and managing the risks posed by technological advancement.
Through experimental initiatives that leverage new technologies, human-centered approaches and systems-level application, the Department continues to push boundaries, and disrupt, as we seek to ensure that peace is inclusive, representative of the full complexity of our world, and sustainable. Expanded work on science- and evidence-based methods for conflict analysis and modelling has become an important facet of this endeavor. This approach is proving to be particularly relevant amid the COVID-19 pandemic when data-driven decision-making is vital.
Part of the “Work of Peace” exhibit, the “Futuring Peace” chapter is an effort to encourage interdisciplinary approaches, such as “futures thinking” and speculative design, and their practical limits to peace mediation processes in a world of increasing complexity, to better prepare the United Nations to face challenges of the present and those yet to come.
Suggested reading: “Harnessing the Power of Technology for Peace” (DPPA Politically Speaking) Suggested reading: “How to hack dystopia in our current global mess” (Futuring Peace)
