Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger: Will AI Save Multilateralism?

Will AI governance be dictated by a few technological superpowers or will multilateralism step in to establish shared rules? If global governance cannot regulate the most transformative technology of our time, its legitimacy in managing other global challenges may be called into question.​ The world has a choice. Adapt—or be sidelined by the very forces it failed to govern.

by Florence Kim

Multilateralism isn’t just about getting more countries around the table—it’s about what happens when they sit down. Trust, cooperation and interdependence are the real building blocks. Done right, multilateralism creates the positive version of an eye for an eye—where mutual interests drive stability instead of retaliation.

But AI disrupts this balance. It increases the quantity of interactions—more data, more reports, more automated policy recommendations—but does it improve the quality? Does it make diplomacy more effective or does it just create an illusion of progress while meaningful dialogue gets drowned in noise?

A real test will come when the first AI-generated agreement is adopted. Will it be a breakthrough, a shortcut or a cause for concern? Are we gaining time and resources—or losing control?

AI’s Web of Interdependence: A Fait Accompli

AI has already created a world no single country can govern alone: global trade runs on AI-powered algorithms; Cyber threats and misinformation transcend borders in seconds and AI-driven research on climate, health and security depends on shared data.

This isn’t theoretical. It’s already happening. AI binds nations together whether they like it or not. The challenge is whether governments will acknowledge this interdependence and act on it—or whether they will continue pretending they can regulate AI in isolation.

Multilateralism has always been about managing interconnectedness. AI is simply amplifying it at an unprecedented scale. The real question is: can multilateralism keep up?

A Double-Edged Sword: AI as Both a Tool and a Threat

AI is already shaping diplomacy—sometimes in ways that undermine it: AI-generated deepfakes erode trust in leaders and institutions, fueling crises before human intervention can de-escalate them; AI-driven propaganda amplifies political narratives, distorts international events and manipulates public perception; and automated responses and AI-generated policy documents risk replacing human deliberation with algorithmic efficiency—turning diplomacy into a cold, strategic calculation based on past experiences, inputted interests and desired results rather than a process of negotiation which can take into account factors still unknown to AI: emotions; interpersonal relationships.

This isn’t just a crisis of governance. It’s a crisis of trust. The very foundation of multilateralism—faith in institutions, agreements and shared commitments—crumbles when technology makes truth malleable. If people don’t believe what they see, read or hear, diplomacy itself risks becoming an act of fiction.

Smarter Multilateralism: Can AI Fix What’s Broken?

For all its risks, AI could also make diplomacy more effective—if used wisely.

Faster? AI can analyze treaties, simulate outcomes and identify compromises before talks even begin.

Sharper? AI-powered translation and virtual negotiations can make diplomacy more inclusive and efficient.

Forecaster? AI can detect early warning signs of conflict, displacement or economic instability—giving institutions time to act before it’s too late.

Stronger? AI can enhance crisis response by synthesizing intelligence from multiple sources in real time, helping diplomats navigate complex global challenges.

Multilateralism has long been criticized as slow, bureaucratic and outdated. AI could make it sharper, faster and more data-driven. But can it also make it more principled?

Regulating Interconnectedness: The Ultimate Test for Global Governance

Regulating interconnectedness— isn’t that the very essence of multilateralism? AI is amplifying this interconnectedness at an unprecedented scale, making regulation not just an option, but a necessity.

If AI governance fractures into silos, it won’t just create inefficiencies—it could deepen global inequalities, destabilize economies and spark a new kind of arms race—one fought not with missiles, but with algorithms.

The dominance of the US and China in AI development raises pressing geopolitical concerns. Will AI governance be dictated by a few technological superpowers or will multilateralism step in to establish shared rules? If global governance cannot regulate the most transformative technology of our time, its legitimacy in managing other global challenges may be called into question.​

AI as a Thought Partner: A New Role for Global Cooperation?

If AI can be controlled—or at least regulated—can we also train it to actively support global goals?

Advancing the SDGs & closing the digital divide: AI can track climate action or monitor food security. It could also provide AI-powered education, healthcare and economic tools to help developing nations move forward.

Enforcing or monitoring implementation of international agreements: AI-driven oversight could ensure compliance with treaties, trade deals and environmental targets. But will this impact global accountability mechanisms? Could AI analyze the accuracy of voluntary national reports? What happens to institutions like the Human Rights Council when AI can generate progress reports faster than human experts?

AI should not just be something multilateralism must manage—it should be something multilateralism can use.

History Doesn’t Repeat Itself, but It Rhymes

We have been here before. Every transformative technology—the printing press, the steam engine, nuclear energy—forced societies to rethink power, governance and cooperation. Sometimes, we adapted. Other times, we fought over the consequences.

The same is true for AI.

It carries a terrifying resemblance to the ethical dilemma of nuclear weapons: we have in our hands one of the most advanced tools humanity has ever created—and one of the most dangerous. Will AI’s impact on governance mirror that of nuclear arms control? Will we repeat the same mistakes, letting competition dictate the rules instead of cooperation?

The Choice Ahead: Reinvention or Irrelevance?

AI is redefining power. If diplomacy does not redefine how we share it, multilateralism will become obsolete. Because in the end, AI won’t save multilateralism. But it might force us to. It forces us to confront an uncomfortable truth: if multilateralism cannot manage AI, what can it manage? If diplomacy cannot keep pace with technology, what future does it have?

The world has a choice. Adapt—or be sidelined by the very forces it failed to govern.

This article is original work by Florence Kim. If you wish to quote or reference it, please attribute accordingly. For direct quotes, please cite '[article title]' by Florence Kim, aidvocacy.org, [year]. For online references, kindly include a link to the original article.