This is how AI can be useful in journalism: Just tested DataTalk - a tool that lets you dig through campaign finance data with just your words.
It's transforming complex FEC filings and OpenSecrets datasets into actionable insights for journalists.
Key features for newsrooms: - Natural language queries on FEC data - Rapid insights on donors, spending, special interests - SQL access for deep dives
Tested it out: - Retrieved how much Harris and Trump raised - Found top donors instantly (#1 is Timothy Mellon—have you heard about him?) - Uncovered big self-funders like David Trone ($62M)
Pros: - Saves hours of data wrangling - Surfaces story leads quickly - Transparent AI retrieving steps makes this tool auditable
Awesome work by Stanford University Open Virtual Assistant Lab, Big Local News, and Columbia University - Graduate School of Journalism. Expert-guided.
Remember: Always verify. Use for leads, not final copy. But this is gold for finding new leads.
How might this change campaign finance reporting? What other datasets need this treatment?