In this chapter, which serves as the introduction to Cognitive Diplomacy and Digital Autonomy: Statecraft in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, the foundational argument is presented: that in the age of AI, sovereignty must be reimagined through the lens of digital autonomy and technological agency. As traditional power structures erode and the global order shifts toward technopolarity, states must adapt by asserting control over their digital infrastructures, data ecosystems, and algorithmic capacities. The chapter introduces digital autonomy as a strategic framework anchored in three pillars—presence, practice, and resilience—that enable states to govern and protect their digital domains in alignment with national values and interests. It also presents the book’s central conceptual innovation: Cognitive Diplomacy. This model explores the integration of AI into diplomatic practice, where human and machine cognition interact to enhance strategic foresight, decision-making, and international engagement. Positioned at the intersection of theory and policy, the chapter outlines three key contributions of the book: a normative model of digital autonomy, a Global South-centered perspective on digital power, and actionable strategies for AI-informed diplomacy. Together, these ideas establish the intellectual foundations for redefining sovereignty and statecraft in an increasingly algorithmic world.