The State Department has announced its 2024 cohort of science envoys who will represent U.S. scientific interests and promote international partnerships. This year, the program includes four American scientists: Dr. Rumman Chowdhury, Dr. Stephanie Diem, Dr. Sian Proctor, and Dr. Dawn Wright. These experts bring a diverse range of skills in data science, nuclear engineering and physics, geosciences, and oceanography to the U.S. Science Envoy program.
Established by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 2010, the Science Envoy program has now welcomed its 30th cohort of envoys. These envoys play a crucial role in informing the State Department, other U.S. government agencies, and the scientific community about opportunities for cooperation in science and technology.
The 2024 cohort has been selected for their expertise in key global issues such as Artificial Intelligence, Fusion Energy, Civil Use of Space, and Ocean Sustainability.
In addition to the new cohort, the program will also continue the research efforts of three members from the 2023 cohort: Dr. Jessica Gephart, Dr. Prineha Narang, and Dr. Kyle Whyte.
These researchers will focus on topics including quantum information sciences, environmental sciences, indigenous knowledge, and unregulated fishing to address pressing challenges in these areas.
Tech diplomacy has become a top priority for the State Department as disruptive technologies like generative AI continue to emerge.
The department aims to promote common scientific standards and ethics while fostering international collaboration.
AI is a key topic of discussion between State officials and allied nations particularly in context of establishing global standards for AI design and deployment to counter China’s dominance in this field
