Donald Kilburg is a retired U.S. diplomat, global strategist, and psychologist with a Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology, who has spent over 30 years applying social science and technology to foreign affairs. He lived, studied, and worked across five continents, bringing an interdisciplinary approach to international policy and governance.

A U.S. Foreign Service officer from 2003 to 2025, Dr. Kilburg specialized in public diplomacy and strategic communication, with diplomatic assignments spanning public affairs, consular services, logistics, intelligence, and research. He served as Spokesperson for the Energy Resources Bureau and Assistant Spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, China, engaging on critical issues at the intersection of policy, energy, and international relations. His diplomatic career included formal training in Japanese, Spanish, Chinese, and Russian. His innovations in diplomacy and technology earned him multiple Superior and Meritorious Honor Awards from the U.S. Department of State.

A U.S. Army veteran and former university professor, Dr. Kilburg is a strong advocate for the scientist-practitioner approach and remains an active thought leader, contributing to academic research, public discourse, and innovation in governance, while mentoring the next generation of professionals at the intersection of technology and diplomacy.

Preface Acknowledgements Statement on AI Use in Writing this Book Introduction 1. Diplomacy in the Age of AI: Leveraging Smart Machines to Build Relationships 2. Executive Leadership in Diplomacy: Guiding Missions in an AI-Driven World 3. AI and Political Affairs: Advancing Foreign Policy with AI-Driven Insights 4. AI and Economic Affairs: Supercharging Trade, Investment, and Innovation 5. AI and Management Affairs: Transforming Diplomatic Operations 6. AI and Consular Affairs: Optimizing Visa, Passport, and Citizen Services 7. AI and Public Affairs: Amplifying Engagement and Influence 8. AI in Diplomatic Security: Protecting the Mission 9. AI and Diplomatic Technology: Using Smart Tools to Advance Diplomacy 10. AI and Interdisciplinary Diplomacy: Leveraging AI for Whole-of-Government Action 11. When Not to Use AI in Diplomacy: Preserving Humanity, Judgment, and Trust 12. Building AI Capacity and an AI Mindset: Beyond Use Cases Conclusion: Shaping the Future of Diplomacy with AI Epilogue: Diplomacy Beyond Nation-States? Appendix A Appendix B Glossary Bibliography Statement of Independence and Compliance