1. Report: Stronger digital voices from Africa: Building African digital foreign policy and diplomacy (Diplo)

This study provides a snapshot of Africa’s digital diplomacy by examining the holistic representations of national and continental interests in the digital realm. In addition to the role of official diplomacy, this study also looks at the roles of tech developers, businesses, local communities, and others with the necessary skills and expertise for participation in international digital policy.

2. An AI named Cicero can beat humans in Diplomacy, a complex alliance-building game. Here’s why that’s a big deal (UNSW Sydney)

Now, before you get too excited, Cicero isn’t playing at a superhuman level. It was beaten by around 10% of the humans it played against. By comparison, in previous AI milestones, like AI beating humans in chess or Go, humans have long been completely surpassed.

3. NATO prepares for cyber war (Politico)

Some 150 NATO cybersecurity experts assembled in an unimposing beige building in the heart of Estonia’s snow-covered capital this week to prepare for a cyber war. It’s a scenario that has become all too real for NATO member states and their allies since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The conflict has forced Ukraine to defend against both missile attacks and constant efforts by Russian hackers intent on turning off the lights and making life more difficult for their besieged neighbours.

4. Highlights from the Summit on Digital Diplomacy and Governance (Diplo)

The nature of digital diplomacy and governance has changed. What was once a discussion about the internet and the technology behind it has now expanded to tackling almost every facet of everyday life. ‘Digital’ is everywhere.

5. Event – Publicness and the public sphere under the threat of digital oligarchy (The Slovenian Academy of Science and Arts)

The event will take place on the occasion of Slavko Splichal’s book Datafication of Public Opinion and the Public Sphere in Ljubljana, 9. December 2022.
The colloquium will take place in the MiTeam interactive digital environment and will be accessible on the YouTube video platform.

6. How cybercriminals have been affected by the war in Ukraine (The Economist)

Less extortion and theft, but more digital destruction. That is one of the ways in which the conflict in Ukraine is altering cybercrime. The shift, says Oleh Derevianko, chairman of ISSP, a Ukrainian computer-security firm, is striking.

7. Lessons from Russia’s cyber-war in Ukraine (The Economist)

It has been intense, but not always effective. Why?

8. The Real World Consequences of Putin’s Propaganda (Diplomatic Courier)

The West largely believes that Russia spins up its disinformation machine to interfere in major geopolitical incidents. But Jessikka Aro in her latest book shows how Russia’s information warfare has long-lasting impacts regardless of what else is happening, writes Joshua Huminski.