#SWDchallenge: human + AI
AI is everywhere in the conversations I’m having right now. Not an engagement goes by without someone asking about it. Case in point: even 8-year-old Teddy posed an AI question at a Daphne Draws Data reading! Events with “AI” in the title draw big crowds—the “Data Storytelling in the Age of AI” panel I joined at Canva Create, for example, was the highest-attended breakout of the day.
What’s striking isn’t just the interest, but how differently people are approaching it.
Whether you’re not using AI at all, just beginning to experiment, or already integrating it into your work, this month’s challenge is an opportunity to form—or expand—your perspective through hands-on use. There’s also a ton we can learn from one another by thinking critically and sharing insights:
Where do you, as a human, add the most value?
Where can AI be used most effectively?
How can you combine the two to increase efficiency and impact?
Your goal this month: explore how human + AI can work together to create a data communication that’s better than either could produce on its own.
The challenge
Create a data communication using human + AI.
Use data of your choice—something you can share from your work, a personal dataset, or anything you’re curious about. If you don’t have data handy, feel free to use one of the exercises from storytelling with data: let’s practice!.
Work with an AI tool of your choice to explore, analyze, and/or create your visual. This could include brainstorming, refining your message, drafting a chart, or iterating on your design.
If you’re new to AI, start simple—experiment and see what’s possible—try ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Copilot, or any AI tool you’re curious about. If you already use AI regularly, challenge yourself to try something new: a different tool, a novel workflow, or a new way of collaborating.
As you work, keep in mind: where are you adding the most value, where is AI particularly helpful, how can the two best work together? Please include observations and learnings in your commentary.
Share your creation in the SWD community by May 31st at 5PM ET. If there is any specific feedback or input that you would find helpful, include that detail in your commentary. Take some time also to browse others’ submissions, and contribute your perspective through comments and datapoints over the course of the month.
Related resources
Here are a few related resources. If you are aware of other good ones, please share in your submission commentary.
Data Storytelling in the Age of AI panel video from Canva Create
Data Storytelling in the Age of AI blog post
AI is shifting how analysts spend time by Elizabeth Ricks
May 2025 SWD challenge: compare human and machine
