An AI Cheat Sheet for Donald Trump
Ahead of the historic meeting between the leaders of Russia and the United States in Alaska, artificial intelligence has proposed an unconventional way to prepare for negotiations. A neural network compiled a list of 10 iconic Russian films that could help Donald Trump understand the 'Russian soul' and his counterpart across the table.
Beyond Hollywood
Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump are set to meet on August 15 to discuss pressing issues on the international agenda. While diplomats work on the logistics, AI suggests betting on a deeper understanding of one’s counterpart. To that end, the neural network selected a top 10 list of cinematic works that reflect the cultural code of the Russian people.
The list skips modern blockbusters and contemporary melodramas, instead drawing on the cultural heritage of the past. For example, it recommends the comedies 'The Irony of Fate' and 'The Diamond Arm' to grasp Russians’ belief in destiny and their ironic approach to everyday troubles.
War films such as 'The Cranes Are Flying' and 'They Fought for Their Country' are considered essential for understanding why the memory of World War II is sacred in Russia. To appreciate the value Russians place on duty and keeping one’s word, the AI suggests 'White Sun of the Desert.' For insight into the role of faith, it recommends Andrei Tarkovsky’s 'Andrei Rublev,' which reflects on the complexities of spiritual pursuit. The 1990s cult classic 'Brother' is included to capture the spirit of the new Russia emerging from post-Soviet chaos.
To explore the Russian character even further, the list features 'Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears,' 'Office Romance,' and the dystopian satire 'Kin-dza-dza!.'
Swedish PM Faces Backlash for Love of ChatGPT
The film list experiment shows how AI can be creatively used in the diplomatic arena, serving as an unconventional PR tool for politics. When applied skillfully in diplomacy, modern technologies can influence interstate communications.
However, public reaction to AI in governance does not always match expectations, even in tech-forward democracies. In early August, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson sparked controversy when he admitted in an interview with Dagens Industri that he regularly uses AI tools at work, including seeking advice from ChatGPT on state matters.
“I use them quite often — at least to get an alternative point of view. What have others done? Or should we think in the opposite direction? Those kinds of questions,” the politician said, prompting a wave of criticism.
The public proved unready to trust AI, even though the Swedish PM used it merely as a tool for gathering information and broadening his perspective.
The Soft Power Trend
The cinematic cheat sheet for Trump highlights the importance of cultural understanding and psychological readiness during high-level meetings. If such unconventional AI recommendations are treated not as a joke but as a real resource, they could be leveraged for cross-cultural communication on the world stage.
Today, we see a shift toward soft power — strengthening international ties through culture and technology. AI-driven solutions expand the toolbox for such indirect influence, and this trend is likely to grow. It’s becoming clear that the AI + human team is emerging as the new standard of efficiency. Those who fail to adopt this model risk losing not only in speed but also in quality, simply by ignoring the tools competitors are already using.
