August 14, 2025
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Former Foreign Service officer, Don Kilburg, sees artificial intelligence not as a distant concept, but as an urgent opportunity for the diplomatic world. In his new book, AI Use Cases for Diplomats, Kilburg presents a framework for how applied AI can strengthen diplomacy and enhance the work of foreign affairs professionals across the globe.
Kilburg’s interest in AI took off when ChatGPT arrived on the scene. Like many, he experimented with it, quickly realizing it is a
game-changer. At first, he and colleagues at the State Department used AI tools for simple tasks—drafting press releases, talking points, speeches, and brainstorming policy ideas. But he noticed they were “nibbling at the edges” of what AI can do. The Center for Analytics at State develops new tools, particularly for media analysis, helping public affairs officers better understand audiences. Still, Kilburg believes the real potential lies far beyond wordsmithing.
In his book, he identifies seven core functions of diplomacy—political affairs, economic affairs, management affairs, consular affairs, public affairs, diplomatic security, and diplomatic technology—and explores how AI can enhance each. He envisions AI aiding embassy management, informing strategic decision-making for ambassadors, and serving political and economic sections in ways that make diplomacy more creative, effective, and humane.
Kilburg is optimistic about AI’s future in governance and diplomacy, but he is not naïve. He acknowledges risks, drawing from the work of major thinkers like Henry Kissinger, Eric Schmidt, and Reid Hoffman. He cautions about the “dark side” of AI, including scenarios where systems could spiral out of control, whether on their own or in the hands of bad actors. His solution is a constant commitment to keeping the “human in the loop” and advancing shared human values as these technologies evolve.
To make his ideas actionable, Kilburg includes 100 AI use cases for diplomats. He designs the book as a field manual that any diplomat—or even a student of foreign affairs—can dip into for targeted insights. Whether someone works in public affairs, economic affairs, or diplomatic security, they can find relevant examples that spark ideas for integrating AI into their role. He wants the resource to be just as useful for an embassy professional in mid-career as for a high school student curious about how technology meets international relations.
Kilburg insists AI is not a “nice to have” for diplomacy—it is a necessity. “The genie’s out of the bottle,” he says, and the world cannot afford to ignore it. He points to leaders, including the Pope, who are already warning that humanity must defend itself against potential AI-driven challenges. For Kilburg, this means rolling up our sleeves and working now to sync technology with human values before systems become too advanced to manage.
You can pre-order Don’s book here
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