UNC Diplomacy Lab projects address global problems

Last spring, a group of students involved with the Society-Centered AI Lab at UNC-Chapel Hill used satellite data to inform decisions about water usage in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. Another group used artificial intelligence to investigate global human rights trends. Their projects weren’t simulations, and they weren’t just class assignments. The students analyzed real global problems identified by U.S. federal agencies and developed solutions the agencies could use as part of the Diplomacy Lab — the U.S. Department of State’s strategic effort to “engage the American people in the work of diplomacy.”

UNC-Chapel Hill was invited to join the Diplomacy Lab in spring 2024. Since then, Carolina students have tackled five projects — and another nine are underway this fall semester — with guidance from a Carolina faculty member. One of those faculty members is assistant professor Neil Gaikwad, founding director of SAIL and faculty member in the UNC School of Data Science and Society and the UNC College of Arts and Science’s computer science department.

“Gaikwad’s academic interests aligned well with the Diplomacy Lab’s mission to engage students in foreign policy research,” said Sharmila Udyavar, associate director for global education, who oversees the Diplomacy Lab program in UNC Global Affairs. “He saw the lab as an opportunity to bring experiential learning into the classroom and expose students to research and policymaking in action.”

Gaikwad poses with his students during the Policy Brief Competition awards ceremony. (Submitted photo)

Gaikwad’s students focusing on water-related regional conflict studied AI applications for water governance and how advanced technologies can help mitigate conflict. Their work culminated in a policy brief offering innovative solutions aimed at streamlining decision-making processes for water distribution. According to Gaikwad, the suggestions balanced environmental needs with political and economic factors.

“I designed projects so students could apply our methodologies while developing new AI capabilities for government challenges,” he said. “The platform enabled students to see how inventing artificial intelligence for societal decision-making translates into practical policy work.”

Gaikwad says his students were eager to work on projects that allowed them to wrestle with real problems facing people working in diplomacy and global affairs. When he asked for volunteers, they responded enthusiastically.

“My students could see how SAIL’s focus on inventing AI for societal decision-making could contribute to actual government challenges,” he said. “The connection between their technical work and policy needs was clear and motivating.”

Twice a year, the State Department releases a list of Diplomacy Lab projects for universities to take on. UNC Global Affairs distributes the list of projects and submits “bids” on behalf of Carolina faculty.

“I’d encourage my colleagues to seriously consider it,” Gaikwad said. “It’s been incredibly rewarding for both me and my students. By involving them in work where they can find their own voice and interests, this approach prepares not just technologists, but thoughtful practitioners who understand their responsibility to society. They’ll likely find, as I did, that seeing your research connect to actual policy challenges is energizing in ways you might not expect.”

This fall, Gaikwad is working on more projects — so far, three. He has pursued projects on AI and biodiversity and is planning to integrate them into another course, “Research Methods in Socially Responsible AI.” He believes learners excel when they are able to connect technical knowledge with purpose and practical experience. That is the promise of the Diplomacy Lab.