On 14 April, CMI – Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation, the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and the Peace Research Institute Oslo convened a webinar exploring the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in inclusive peace mediation.
The discussion examined how digital tools are shaping conflict dynamics and mediation processes, with a particular focus on implications for the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda. Speakers shared perspectives and experiences from Afghanistan, Armenia and Sudan, highlighting both opportunities and risks for inclusive participation.
In his comments, PRIOs Kristoffer Lidén emphasised that the use of AI in mediation raises important ethical and political questions. He pointed to concerns related to bias, accountability and the growing influence of technology providers, and underlined the need for clear principles and governance frameworks to ensure that digital tools support, rather than undermine, inclusive and gender-responsive mediation.
The webinar brought together contributions from Georgette Gagnon (UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan), Ani Papyan (peacebuilding practitioner, Armenia) and Reem Abbas (feminist activist, researcher and writer, Sudan).
This webinar was held in the context of the high-level seminar series on gender and inclusive mediation, jointly implemented by CMI, UN DPPA, and PRIO, with the support of Norway and Finland.
A recording of the webinar can be found here.
