Learn about AI by developing AI
Why attend?
The AI transformation of international organisations (IOs) demands critical management decisions that reshape operations, staff skills, and strategies. While these decisions aren’t purely technical, they require a basic understanding of AI technology. This will be provided through a series of sessions centered around:
- Practical focus: Hands-on experience with actionable outcomes.
- Tailored for IOs: Relevant examples from the work of IOs and multilateral negotiations.
- Expert insights: Learning from leaders in AI and diplomacy led by Dr Jovan Kurbalija, who developed the first AI system for IOs in 1992, Dr Anita Lamprecht, a specialist for AI in the legal field, and Diplo team of technical and knowledge experts.
The successful participants will receive a certificate in AI transformation leadership issued by Diplo. The first, spring 2025, edition will welcome 24 Geneva-based participants. Diplo will provide scholarships covering the expenses of Euro 990 per participant. For more information, email us at geneva@diplomacy.edu
AI Apprenticeship: 10 transformative lessons from learning AI by building AI
Who should attend?
- Staff of the Geneva-based international organisations
- Non-technical: Decision-makers, managers, and programme officers
- Technical: IT staff, web developers, and data managers
We encourage mixed participation to bridge communication between management and technical staff, as their interaction is critical for the success of AI transformation. Attendance at the upcoming launch event, ‘Demystifying AI’, is highly recommended. The event is a valuable first step for joining Diplo’s AI apprenticeship.
How it works?
- Practical approach: Work with real AI technologies through practical exercises. Each AI concept and technology will be illustrated by tools used and/or developed by Diplo.
- Progressive approach: Start with AI basics, then build up to policy and management applications.
- Coaching: Guided by Diplo experts.
- Hybrid methodology: Learn online with weekly in situ sessions at the Diplo office in the WMO building, 7bis Avenue de la Paix, Geneva (2nd floor).
- Approximate study time: Commit to a minimum of 4 to 6 hours per week, including participating in weekly sessions.
Apprenticeship planning
The course will run from 29 April to 3 June, based on an active, hands-on, and collaborative approach to learning, incorporating a high level of interaction. Course materials and the necessary tools for online interaction and course tasks are provided in a virtual classroom, while in situ sessions will take place once a week, on Tuesdays during the lunch break (13.00 – 14.00 CEST) at the Diplo office (WMO Building, 7bis Avenue de la Paix, Geneva) according to the following schedule:
Mapping: What is AI really about?
29 April 2025 (13.00 – 14.00 CEST)
Explore the core concepts powering AI, such as patterns and probability. Get a clear overview of the AI landscape, including key technologies like Large Language Models (LLMs), neural networks, reinforcement learning, and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG).
Why AI development can take an hour or a year: Understanding the difference
6 May 2025 (13.00 – 14.00 CEST)
Learn the practical differences between building an AI chatbot in just one hour and the year-long process required to integrate AI into an organisation’s operations fully. Join us for a hands-on demonstration that uncovers the challenges and strategies behind various use cases and AI development and deployment strategies.
How does AI impact cybersecurity and safety?
12 May 2025 (13.00 – 14.00 CEST) – exceptionally rescheduled to Monday
Address AI security and safety concerns by exploring risks at every step of the AI lifeline – algorithms, data, use, and geopolitical context. Build a toolkit to evaluate the safety and security risks that AI may pose. Understand how to apply this knowledge to a wide range of scenarios, from uploading confidential materials to commercial AI services to the safety of in-house AI developed using open-source AI models.
How to activate the knowledge and expertise of IOs through knowledge mapping and data labelling
20 May 2025 (13.00 – 14.00 CEST)
Discover how to integrate data labelling into your organisation’s workflows as part of the regular work of IOs, and how to use RAG, knowledge graphs, and related tools and methodologies to harness explicit and tacit knowledge of your organisation contained in documents, videos, and personal expertise.
How to customise large language models and develop AI agents for topics and work of IOs
27 May 2025 (13.00 – 14.00 CEST)
Discover how to integrate data labelling into your organisation’s workflows as part of the regular work of IOs, and how to use RAG, knowledge graphs, and related tools and methodologies to harness explicit and tacit knowledge of your organisation contained in documents, videos, and personal expertise.
How to prepare staff and organisations for AI transformation
3 June 2025 (13.00 – 14.00 CEST)
Prepare for the forthcoming changes for your organisation and you personally. Identify tasks that will be automated by AI and new ones that will be created. Learn about practical pedagogical approaches for retraining staff, including AI apprenticeship programmes. Explore management changes for effective use of AI.
How to apply
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