Today I had a great pleasure listening to a fascinating panel on the future of cyber diplomacy at the Singapore International Cyber Week.
The panelists included the Singapore Minister of Foreign Affairs, Czech Republic Deputy Minister of Defense, cyber-diplomats from The Netherlands and Estonia, and the Director of AI at Microsoft.
The panel was brilliantly moderated by my dear friend Shashi Jayakumar.
Below are some of the main insights:
1. Rethinking the “Theory of Mind” in Cyberspace
Cyber operations have always depended on understanding your adversary: how they think, act, and perceive the world.
AI fundamentally changes this. It doesn’t just automate, but it transforms perception itself.
As AI systems increasingly interpret, predict, and even decide, we must ask: Who is our partner? Who is our adversary? And how do they see the world through the lens of data and algorithms?
2. The Persistence of Norms and Consequences
All the international agreements and norms built over decades of diplomacy still matter.
But for them to remain credible, states must know there are real consequences for malicious activity in cyberspace. Encouragingly, more governments are beginning to speak up, moving from silence to accountability.
3. Power is no Longer Monopolized
Once, only states wielded real power in cyberspace.
Today, private companies, from cloud providers to AI firms, hold immense influence over global stability.
This new balance of power demands collaboration, transparency, and shared responsibility between the public and private sectors.
4. Inclusion and Listening Matter
For AI governance and cybersecurity to be truly global, we must adopt a listening mode, especially toward developing countries.
Bringing all voices to the table ensures legitimacy, even when some actors refuse to play by the rules.
5. Accountability and Human Weakness
Cybersecurity is not about machines; it’s about people: their intentions, fears, and vulnerabilities.
Behind every attack or policy is a human decision.
Recognizing this human element is essential for building trust and achieving consensus on global norms.
6. The Everyday Threat: Cybercrime and Scams
For most citizens, the biggest digital threat isn’t espionage — it’s cybercrime.
As AI tools make scams more personalized and persuasive, protecting ordinary users becomes a cornerstone of global cybersecurity.
7. Transparency Builds Trust
States need to be transparent with their own citizens about how they use technology, especially AI, in national defense and surveillance.
Accountability begins at home.
Thank you Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) for bringing all these voices to one stage.
Looking forward to seeing what comes next.
