1st Edition
AI Use Cases for Consular Affairs Smarter Passports, Visas, and Border Security
Part 1: Foundations 1. Reimagining Consular Work with AI Part 2: Visas, Passports, and Citizen Services 2. Smarter Visa Processing with AI 3. AI in Passport Services and Identity Verification 4. Multilingual Access, Chatbots, and AI-Powered Communication 5. Crisis Management and Emergency AI Part 3: Fraud, Forgery, and Identity Integrity 6. Detecting Fraud and Forgery with AI 7. Identity Integrity and Biometric Analytics Part 4: Operations and Deployment 8. AI-Optimized Appointments and Internal Workflows 9. Deploying AI at the Mission Level Part 5: People First 10. A Human Future with AI at Our Side
Biography
Don Kilburg is a retired U.S. diplomat, experimental psychologist, and U.S. Army veteran with 28 years of public service. His Foreign Service career spanned five continents, four languages, and postings from Beijing to the former Soviet Union, including intelligence reporting for the President's Daily Brief and service as Spokesperson for the Bureau of Energy Resources and Press Attaché in Beijing. A pioneer of AI adoption at the State Department, his innovations earned him multiple Superior and Meritorious Honor Awards. He is the author of AI Use Cases for Diplomats (Chapman & Hall, 2025) and Founder & CEO of Mind Leap Institute.
Virginia Blaser is a senior executive and retired U.S. diplomat whose 34-year Foreign Service career included service as Acting Ambassador in five countries and the adjudication of tens of thousands of visas and passport determinations. A recipient of the Presidential Rank Award, she led complex consular operations abroad and oversaw the largest overseas U.S. passport unit. She now advises international organizations and private firms on governance, strategy, diplomacy, and the ethical use of emerging technologies.
“This is the most practical and grounded treatment of AI in consular work I’ve seen… It should be required reading for anyone responsible for modernizing border, identity, and citizen services.”
James W. Herman, retired U.S. diplomat with senior consular leadership experience
“This is an AI guide done right: deeply rooted in consular practice, clear and enthusiastic about the technology’s potential, yet grounded in the conviction that human judgment and values are what will make AI both effective and legitimate.”
Bruce A. Bassett, Distinguished Professor of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, with expertise in artificial intelligence
“This is essential reading for anyone working in the field of border security or immigration. Regardless of your current role in this field, this book will expand your thinking about not only what is possible, but help you prepare for the evolution of this field.”
Sarah Wardwell, public-service professional with experience in international and consular operations
“Balanced and persuasive — this book charts a logical path forward for harnessing AI as a tool to assist, not replace, human judgement in consular affairs.”
Anthony Pagliai, government professional with global consular and management experience
