CONFERENCE REPORT: Strengthening Citizen Diplomacy as the World Leans Towards Autocracy
- tracktwo
- Mar 1
- 11 min read
The world is in crisis. Call us Cassandras, or Chicken Little, but this time the sky really is
falling, literally as ash from wildfires, metaphorically as the fall of democratic protections of
human rights. A livable climate is disappearing before our windblown, smoke-stung eyes.
Democracy is in doubt. Autocracy is on the rise. Citizen diplomacy has a job to do.
Against this background, Track Two: An Institute for Citizen Diplomacy at Esalen Institute,
in Big Sur, California, where Esalen has been hosting citizen diplomacy conferences since
1980. Now, as much as any time in its history, Track Two has a job to do.
The focus for this year’s meeting, and a springboard for the next, is “Citizen Diplomacy as
the World Leans Towards Autocracy.” The meeting gathered 38 American, Russian,
Ukrainian, Chinese and European experts over five days, October 5-10, 2025.
This document summarizes the major themes covered at the meeting. It raises more
questions than it answers. But, drawing on these most recent discussions, we hope to bring
enough clarity to these issues that we can raise support for yet more urgently needed
citizen diplomacy.*
*Definition
Citizen diplomacy is the practice of getting ordinary citizens and various professionals— artists, scientists, astronauts, cosmonauts — together to talk shop and discover that we all put our pants on one leg at a time. While Track One diplomats bicker, Track Two citizens can get on with the discovery that we are all human beings. We need not be enemies. Among Track Two’s accomplishments: the sponsorship of Boris Yeltsin’s first visit to the US, during which he had such an epiphany about communism that, on his return to Russia, he dropped out of the party.
Among the issues addressed: the rise of autocracy, both in Russia under Putin, in China
under Xi, and, to an alarming degree, in the US under Trump. The focus on Russia follows
from Track Two’s long relationship with Russia going all the way back to visits by Michael
and Dulce Murphy in the 1970s. Now that the thaw following the breakup of the Soviet
Union is freezing in Ukraine’s mud, are there lessons to be learned from that earlier dawn
of citizen diplomacy?
Maybe. Maybe not. We live in a world very different from the world we inhabited in 1989
when the Berlin wall fell. In particular, artificial intelligence was barely a glimmer in the
eye of a few professors at MIT back then. Now AI is everywhere, but its prospects are wildly
uncertain, from salvation to mass unemployment, from major evolutionary discontinuity
on the level of the invention of fire or the printing press, to possible apocalypse via
machines much smarter than we are. The stakes could not be higher.
In what follows, we’ll articulate some of the stakes at issue, first with AI, then with the
challenges of maintaining international dialogue and collaboration in an era of increasing
isolationism and autocracy. We’ll focus on Russia, then on China, and finally on the roles
that Track Two and AI can play in mediating a trilateral, heterarchical (see below)
governance structure between China, Russia, and the US.
The Promise and the Perils of Artificial Intelligence
The promise of AI is unmistakable: from instantaneous language translation to new
wonder drugs; from making education fun, to rendering energy more efficient. Behold, the
end of tedium! But the risks! Some would like to think that AI is “just another tool,” that it’s
how we use it that counts, not the nature of the tool itself. But this is a possibly dangerous
delusion. The thing about AI that renders it unlike, and potentially more dangerous, than
any other tool we have ever invented is simply this: every other tool is a means toward our
ends, but AI is capable of reprogramming its own ends. And how can we know whether its
ends are aligned with our ends? This is known in the trade as the “alignment problem.” The
stakes are high. And the salutary myths aplenty, from Goethe’s Faust, to Disney’s Sorcerer’s
Apprentice, to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.
Issues discussed related to AI include the following: Is AI a vast monolith that we should
fear? Or can it be tamed as a brilliant tool to further our work in cross-border friendship
building and collaboration? What do we need to be wary of ? AI can be used and possibly
will be used, by authoritarians to further repress and control human spirit. But can it also
be used in other ways using small, localized data sets to support real and gritty local news?
AI could serve as a mediator in current conflicts. Two approaches to influencing global
leaders were considered: attempting to influence individual leaders like Xi Jinping, Putin,
and Trump, or promoting decentralized movements that require coordination and
technology. AI's design and training is critical; the need for sovereign AI systems and the
ongoing corporate battle for data control need constant attention.
Participants discussed the evolution of AI, highlighting the democratization of technology
through generative AI and the distinction between large and small language models. They
explained how AI can be applied in various fields, including citizen diplomacy, and shared a
case study of using AI to facilitate peacebuilding between Israelis and Palestinians. The
project involved using AI to translate responses in real-time and analyze statements for
common ground, demonstrating the potential of AI in conflict resolution.
Continuing on the role of AI in citizen diplomacy, and its ability to enhance communication
and understanding across cultural and language barriers, participants highlighted
examples of AI's use in negotiations and dispute resolution, while also addressing concerns
about AI's potential dangers, such as in military applications and its impact on creativity. Of
note they reminded the group that:
AI is in its infancy
AI is not thinking; it is predicting based on memory and can do so often millions of times faster than a human
They stressed the importance of both AI literacy for everyone and of guardrails to mitigate risks
Robotics, powered with AI, offer multitudes of helpful applications; guardrails and literacy are however vital to their broad use.
Participants discussed the historical development of AI and its impact on education,
particularly focusing on Soviet-American cooperation in educational technology during the
1980s. They described how initiatives like iEARN and Global Lab were established with
support from figures like Peter Copen and Gary Kasparov, involving the exchange of
computers and establishing communication networks between schools in Russia and the
United States. The discussion highlighted how these early digital technologies laid the
foundation for modern educational practices, though some projects faced challenges due to
political and logistical issues.
There has been a positive impact of AI in education, particularly for non-native English
speakers and senior citizens, by providing real-time translation and breaking down
barriers to entry. AI has facilitated social cohesion and integration, especially for students
with autism, by reducing discomfort in virtual learning environments. But universities
need to capture and leverage this moment to create inclusive forums. iPhone apps with
AirPods can be used for instantaneous translation but there are challenges currently in
funding media literacy programs due to political shifts in research funding priorities.
There are challenges of AI and education in authoritarian countries, particularly Russia,
where modern educational competencies and critical thinking are being suppressed. The
closure of international educational programs and the impact on children's opportunities
for development is significant.
Russia
When asked “Who are Russians”? responses included that Russia is not a political nation;
survival is top of mind and attitudes towards politics are “I don’t care.” (Je m’en fou). At
Track Two we talk of peacebuilding; one participant asked if any leaders are interested in
“peace.”
Too many Russian professionals and experts have been driven to survival with menial jobs
now that they have left Russia. The group suggested reaching out to universities, scientific
journals, and publishers to clarify their stance on Russians, and proposed drafting a letter
to express solidarity and support for Russian individuals in the diaspora in academic and
scientific fields. The conversation highlighted the difficulty of engaging with Russian
scientists and intellectuals due to the current political climate and the labeling of certain
individuals as "foreign agents." The vague and oppressive nature of the relevant law can
lead to severe consequences, including imprisonment. Being labeled as a foreign agentrestricts individuals' opportunities and creates difficulties in their personal and
professional lives. This group of foreign agents—effectively exiles—which includes
thousands of people, could potentially contribute positively to the world as they are no
longer bound by Russian limitations. It will be important to help these individuals survive
and thrive despite the challenges they face.
One participant noted the importance of Western advocacy against Russia and on behalf of
Ukraine – citing the importance of delivering the anti-war message. The participants also
touched on the humanitarian consequences of the war, including the displacement of
millions and the brutal actions of Russian troops in Ukraine. The discussion concluded with
a call for consistent and principled approaches to isolating Russia while avoiding hypocrisy,
and the need to consider how to support Russia's potential post-Putin reforms.
Media in Russia and elsewhere has “fallen” into the Far Right in many ways through
journalism collaborations, domestically and internationally, that reinforce nationalistic
world views. There has been a systematic destruction of independent media inside Russia
but good journalism does persist elsewhere. The concern is that this media is inaccessible
inside Russia where penalties for reading or listening to media from “Undesirable” entities
are high and include imprisonment. Because there is little media available to Russians that
is not State owned, Russians have a “soft” acceptance of what they are being told.
China
In China the environmental landscape is a bit different. Non-human rights NGOs can
survive today. Poverty alleviation NGOs can also survive. And there is some outside news
available to those with VPNs providing users don’t trigger surveillance blocks. Solar, clean
energy as an alternative to fossil fuel powered energy, is expanding rapidly. And there is
pressure to maintain the environment.
However, the surveillance state is total. Today outside communications links are all but
closed. Even Signal is blocked across much of Russia and all of China. And these closures
are used to frighten people into a subtle submission. This presents a dire circumstance for
humanity as a whole, for nature, and for the collective future. There remain voices of
opposition in Russia and China, and larger voices outside both countries that can use
specific tactics to fight back. But this requires invention and organization. The group
advised the Americans to coalesce opposition to the current administration in order to
“fight” authoritarianism now!
From 1989 forward there has been a continuous call for greater democracy which has also
been consistently crushed by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party.) The Internet gave way to
a new era of hope for Chinese liberals and democracy did spread for a period of ten years
until the CCP effectively closed the Internet. In the tenth year there was greater information
freedom, the rise of independent voices, and a noticeable move towards capitalism. But the
Internet was effectively shut down in 2013 and repressions have deepened ever since.
The new fear for Chinese liberals is that “The Emperor Got AI” and how Xi might use it to
further repress his population is an unknown. AI is centralized today in China; in the US it
is controlled by oligarchs and therefore leaning towards centralization. In China, AI is an
everyday part of everybody’s life; Chinese user interface for AI is way ahead of western UI,
making it accessible and indispensable for all Chinese. It is pre-programmed with pro-
China content on phones that everyone has. People trust these AIs that appear to know the
user better than his/her own mother knows her/him. They gently, slowly, convince you to
think their way!
Our China experts discussed the landscape between the US and China in the AI competition:
China is way ahead on User Interface design
China is at most a few weeks behind the US in development of LLMs
China is well behind on chip development; it takes 10 times longer for China to produce or acquire chips than it does the US.
There is NO Chinese enterprise market for AI; in the US the enterprise market is already well developed.
China’s AI development is open source and as a result moves very quickly.
Talent pool in China is small compared with the US
Xi appears weaker than Putin. The Xi, Putin, Kim display at the recent show of arms was
just that. Xi likes Putin, but China is not Russia’s pawn in any way. Putin relies on China to
save Russia and Putin brings Xi down to his “level.” Modi attended as a slight to Trump but
not as a true partner to China; India will never be China’s partner. And, in the AI
competition, Russia is not a player today. Russia is more and more dependent on China and
not vice versa. Additionally, any talent in Russia has left to Europe and the US and some to
China.
The Future: A Trilateral Heterarchy
Uncertainties abound in all of the above—AI, Russia, and China. Kevin Kelly, founding
editor of WIRED, likens our situation vis-à-vis AI to our situation vis-à-vis electricity prior
to Edison. Who knew, then, that the transition to electricity would power elevators to
enable skyscrapers and the skylines of our modern cities? For AI, what is the analogue to
skyscrapers?
Are we on the brink of another world-shifting transition, and can AI help mediate a
transition to a new or revised, stronger, kinder and more liberal global order?
One option is heterarchy, a system of governance that, in counterpoint to hierarchy, allows
no central “authority” but instead a shifting authority between equal leaders in a system.
Think of the game of paper, rock and scissors. A more complete definition is available upon
request.
While the game of paper, rock, and scissors exemplifies the concept, a far more significant
example is the balance of powers written into the US Constitution, now under threat as Trump tries to convert that heterarchy into an autocratic hierarchy with the executive
branch lording in over both legislative and judicial branches.
As important if not moreso could be a heterarchical, trilateral balance between Russia,
China, and the US. We face global problems that invite global solutions, but no one wants a
global government. No one wants the Brusselization of geopolitics. But we need global
governance to solve global problems. AI could help when it comes to sorting out trillions of
seemingly inconsistent preference patterns—recall that the major evolutionary transition
from hunter/gatherer culture of agriculture and modern civilizations “occurred multiple
times over the past 10,000 years, leading in turn to diverse cultures and languages”
—into “a higher order than had been dreamed of in our philosophy.”
Michael Murphy discussed artificial intelligence as a “speciation event” (comparing it to a
new life form) and non-verbal human consciousness as a distinguishing factor. Michael
discussed the evolution of somatics and its integration into education and therapy,
highlighting its focus on the multidimensional aspects of embodiment. He explained how
somatic practices, such as massage, have evolved to recognize the complexity of human
experience and emotions, emphasizing the importance of facial expressions and emotional
nuance.
Michael shared his experiences with non-verbal communication and human emotions. He
discussed his involvement with Russia and China, emphasizing the need for a greater
understanding of human possibility and the challenges faced by both countries. Michael
also spoke about the future of humanity, expressing concerns about global crises and the
need for people to become freer and more responsible. His presentation highlighted the
contribution that Esalen’s exploration of human consciousness can make to our evolving
understanding of AI’s simulated intelligence.
Conclusion
Drawing on the human potentials movement to criticize the dominance of the
computational metaphor for mind among most of those talking about AI; drawing on
world-class expertise on China, Russia, citizen diplomacy, future studies, geopolitics, and AI
Track Two in partnership with Esalen has a unique contribution to make to this world-
historical debate and to ongoing improvement in cross-border relationships.
Might we move forward toward a more equitable, more just, more ecologically benign
order using a heterarchical logic to reconcile our apparent inconsistencies? Track Two’s
recent conference explored the perils and the promise of using AI to prevent the dangers of
autocracy. Now it remains to follow through on the possibilities.
