AI could be used in peacemaking: expert

Modern technologies including Artificial Intelligence are being utilized to help optimize conflict management, a senior peace maker said on Wednesday.

The methods of conflict management were built on the presumption of a war between two or more countries, but today most conflicts are internal and would need different tools, said Tuija Talvitie, CEO of the Helsinki based Conflict Management Institute (CMI).

"General view is that new ideas should be found, and we look for them in the technological sector. Technology is known as an accelerator of conflicts, but we want to see what additional tools could be available for conflict management," she said on national television Yle.

Currently, there is a strong conviction that technologies should be utilized and the possibilities should be built in tools, and it is presumed artificial intelligence could be used, Talvitie noted.

However, she said the use of Artificial Intelligence in the work for solving conflicts is not on a solid basis yet. "We do not know what kind of direction technology will bring us," Talvitie admitted.

"Small models are being tested and various ways of implementation, but we must turn all cards and obtain better results," said Talvitie.

On the positive side, she said the knowledge about the human behavior has progressed through neurosciences. "A human being is everything else but a rational entity. Humans go forward with the autopilot on. Ultimately, conflicts are about power."

Talvitie underlined the importance of dialogue in conflict management. "We choose people carefully so that a dialogue process would involve participation. It is an achievement to get the parties to the same table - and then our task is to make sure they remain around the table."

Processes are often very long. Talvitie said it also takes a strong local will to make peace.

"No one can do it from the outside". Talvitie quoted the founder of the CMI, former Finnish president Martti Ahtisaari as saying "We want to help those who want to help themselves".

Talvitie noted that in "frozen conflicts" it is important that there are some local channels open, such as trade. "The situation is much more difficult if all contacts between the conflicting sides remain closed."

CMI is currently involved in trying to solve a dozen conflicts around the world. CMI is best known for its successful role in solving the Aceh problem in mid 2000s.