This article serves as an introduction to the special issue on tech diplomacy, exploring its emergence and evolution as a distinct approach to global affairs in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Originating with Denmark's 2017 “TechPlomacy” initiative, tech diplomacy has gained global momentum, with over two dozen countries adopting it to address challenges posed by emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and 5G. Defined by its dynamic and polylateral nature, tech diplomacy engages a diverse array of actors—including states, tech companies, international organizations, and civil society—to navigate the complex interplay of technological innovation and geopolitical transformation. The paper makes three key contributions to the field. First, it provides a refined definition of tech diplomacy, distinguishing it from related concepts like digital and science diplomacy while emphasizing its focus on innovation power. Second, it introduces an analytical triangle—encompassing technological, agential, and ordering processes—as a framework for studying tech diplomacy's mechanisms and impacts. Third, it maps the field through examples of national initiatives, multistakeholder collaborations, and regulatory efforts, highlighting tech diplomacy's potential to reshape global governance and address inequalities exacerbated by technological disruption. This introduction lays the groundwork for the contributions in the special issue, offering conceptual clarity and practical insights into the transformative role of tech diplomacy in global affairs.
Photo by Lara Jameson