• Resources
• Digital

Artificial Intelligence and International Cultural Relations: Challenges and Opportunities for Cross-Sectoral Collaboration

Artificial intelligence (AI) affects multiple dimensions of international cultural relations. Amidst increasing geopolitical competition and a global search for new AI governance frameworks, international cultural relations affect AI development and vice versa. How does AI impact cultural sectors? How can institutions and actors engaged in international cultural relations ensure ethical and responsible technology use, as well as mitigate imbalances accentuated by AI systems? What does a strategy for work in the field of international cultural relations in the AI era look like?

The integration of AI systems has profoundly transformed multiple dimensions of international cultural relations (ICR). Notably, changes in recent years have accentuated imbalances among languages, affected the situation of cultural sectors, and impacted the integrity of information while also providing a platform for influential tech players with unique imaginaries. This is unfolding in an era characterised by an increasing geopolitical competition and a global search for new AI governance frameworks. Most of these issues will likely further intensify in the coming years, with the proliferation of AI agents with whom users will interact in various contexts. In such a scenario, it has become urgent tooutline a strategy for the work in the field of ICR in the AI era. Considering the mutual influence between AI and ICR, institutions engaged in ICR should aim to ensure ethical and responsible technology use and emerge as pivotal contributors to the advancement and regulation of AI.