AI Interacts and Participates in Debates at the 3rd Model United Nations
Developed by students, the tool was used in diplomatic discussions
Diplomacy, social issues, and geopolitical matters took center stage in IMPA Tech’s classrooms during the 3rd Model United Nations (IMPA Tech MUN). Held as part of the course “Constructing Textual Narratives,” taught by Professor Cilene Rodrigues, the activity had students take on the roles of representatives from different countries to discuss contemporary issues and practice argumentation, public speaking, and negotiation.
The students divided into three committees to discuss issues at the center of international debates. At the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), the topic was maintaining peace and security in the Middle East, with a focus on the Israel-Palestine conflict. At the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the debates addressed the architecture of the digital economy, with discussions on regulatory frameworks and foreign investment in data centers. At the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), students discussed science policies for the 21st century and the value of time in academic research.
In this edition, the format included a new feature: artificial intelligence became part of the debates. Each delegation had an AI-simulated parliamentarian capable of following the discussions, identifying relevant points, and asking the students questions in real time.
“We implemented this idea because using AI as a tool is important for students to understand the role of this technology in society. Furthermore, by having students respond to questions posed by the ‘AI lawmaker,’ we avoid scripted questions and answers, leading to more spontaneous reactions during the debates,” explained Professor Cilene.
The model goes far beyond mathematical issues. To participate in the simulation, students must study the topics discussed, understand different perspectives, and construct arguments to defend the positions of the delegations they represent. The program broadens undergraduates’ exposure to issues that transcend borders and require dialogue among different interests.
For student Stella Ventura, the experience added a dimension to her college education that she hadn’t expected from a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. “We had the opportunity to study and discuss current and relevant issues, which helped us develop our public speaking skills and broaden our knowledge on various topics. It was an important part of our education because we acquired skills that go beyond the academic realm,” she said.
When AI Enters the Debate
The new feature of this edition was designed to make the simulation more dynamic and give students a closer look at the practical application of artificial intelligence. Instead of only receiving questions prepared in advance by the participants, the delegations also had to address comments raised during the debate itself.
Student Kauã Oliveira worked on integrating the different models used in the project. “This integrated AI system listens to the entire debate, transcribes it, and stores the information in a database. In addition, a keyword in the debate triggers a protocol that causes the AI to generate a question, which is then converted into an audio clip to be played in real time,” he said.
The system uses local models, with all computing performed on the lab’s computers. The framework combines Qwen, which interprets the debate; Fast-Whisper, used for audio transcription; and Kokoro, which generates the audio speech.
For Kauã, participating in the development was also an opportunity to turn his curiosity about AI into practical experience. “It was a little difficult because it’s something I’d never done before, but with guidance from the teachers and a few hours of research and testing, I was able to do it. I was really curious about how this ‘pipeline’ of AI models worked, so being able to learn about it by working on a relatively large project was really cool!” he says.
The 3rd Model United Nations experience thus presents students with two distinct challenges: understanding issues that cut across society and international politics, and, at the same time, experimenting with new forms of interaction between people and artificial intelligence.
