AIxMultilateralism series: When AI Speaks for Nations - The Ethics of AI Use in Multilateral Deliberations, with Eleonore Fournier Tombs

Welcome to AI X Multilateralism, a new series of conversations on The Next Page.

In this collection, we’re joined by experts who help us unpack the many ideas and issues at the nexus of AI and international cooperation. Our first episode begins with the question: is it ethical to use AI in multilateral deliberations?

We’re joined by Eleonore Fournier-Tombs, Head of Anticipatory Action and Innovation at the UNU-CPR, the United Nations University Centre for Policy Research. As a data scientist she’s worked in the private sector and across the UN system, and recently supported the work of the UN's Advisory Body on AI that undertook analysis and made advanced recommendations for the international governance of AI.

In this episode, we explore:

- the meaning of deliberations at the global level and why this is critical for multilateralism
- how AI is being used today in multilateral deliberations and negotiations
- the technical and ethical risks of using AI informally deliberations, including what this means for state sovereignty, authenticity and agency, and
- solutions for turning the tide and harnessing AI ethically, fairly and sustainably by all who participate in multilateral fora through an ethics by design approach.

Interested to find out more?
- Read Eleonore's recommended open source pick, "An Ethical Grey Zone: AI Agents in Political Deliberations": https://carnegiecouncil.org/media/article/ethical-grey-zone-ai-agents-political-deliberation
- Find out about the UN High-Level Advisory Body on AI: https://www.un.org/en/ai-advisory-body/about
- Learn about the Global Digital Compact, adopted by Member States in 2024 at the Summit of the Future: https://www.un.org/digital-emerging-technologies/global-digital-compact
- Read about the two mechanisms established by the UN General Assembly on 26 August 2025 to strengthen international cooperation on AI governance, the United Nations Independent International Scientific Panel on AI and the Global Dialogue on AI Governance: https://www.un.org/global-digital-compact/en/ai 

Content   

Guest: Eleonore Fournier-Tombs

Host, production and editing: Natalie Alexander Julien 

Recorded & produced at the Commons, United Nations Library & Archives Geneva 

Podcast Music credits:
Sequence: https://uppbeat.io/track/img/sequence
Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/img/sequence
License code: R8196BLUZNYOYWVB 

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