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Untangling digital, cyber, and tech diplomacy: A search for clarity of thinking and action

This text is written on the occasion of the 500th issue of DiploNews, reflecting on the terminological and conceptual evolution of digital (and) diplomacy over the last 25 years.


If you find yourself puzzled by the interchangeable use of “digital,” “cyber,” and “tech” in discussions on diplomacy, you’re not alone. Many experts and practitioners struggle to keep the terminology straight. The US Government Accountability Office recently flagged conceptual confusion as one of the three main obstacles in American cyber and digital diplomacy, alongside a shortage of trained professionals and policy silos.

But here’s the key takeaway: getting the terms right isn’t just academic nitpicking—it’s essential for effective diplomatic action.

500 issues of DiploNews have taught us one important lesson: we need to stop obsessing over the “correct” label for new forms of diplomacy. Instead, the focus should be on what these terms represent.

Are we talking about the new geopolitical landscape shaped by AI? Or the rising importance of digital topics on diplomatic agendas? Or perhaps we’re referring to how diplomats use cutting-edge tools for public diplomacy and negotiations?

Cloud of different terms tech, cyber, digital

At Diplo, we lean toward “digital” as the most precise term. After all, every digital development, from AI to the internet, is built on binary code—ones and zeros. Yet, we also recognize that context matters. When it comes to cybersecurity negotiations, for example, “cyber diplomacy” is the more appropriate term. ‘Tech diplomacy’ is used when we address the interaction between national governments and tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Apple.

Let’s take a closer look at how digital (and diplomacy) terminology emerged and continues to shape diplomatic discourse.

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