Telling data stories with AI

AI for Data Analysts

Andy Cotgreave

Author and Speaker, Former Technical Evangelist at Tableau

What changes when you tell a story?

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AI for Data Analysts

What changes when you tell a story?

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AI for Data Analysts

What changes when you tell a story?

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AI for Data Analysts

What changes when you tell a story?

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AI for Data Analysts

Same chart, two stories

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  • Headline: positive
  • Palette: friendly blue

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  • Headline: negative
  • Palette: red
AI for Data Analysts

Editorialize, but don't deceive

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  • Editorial choices → what to emphasize, what context, what framing
  • Honest: framing the same data through a chosen lens
  • Deceptive: distorting, cherry-picking, or hiding context
AI for Data Analysts

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AI for Data Analysts

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AI for Data Analysts

State your angle, every time

  • Claude: asked for the angle first
  • The fix: always state the angle

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  • Gemini: picked one itself
  • Tell it: audience, decision, tone

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AI for Data Analysts

What to check beyond accuracy

 

  • 1. Did AI editorialize beyond what you intended?
  • 2. Did it leave out context that changes the conclusion?
  • 3. Does the tone match the audience?
  • 4. Did any biases creep in unnoticed?

 

Adopt a skeptical mindset!

AI for Data Analysts

Let's practice!

AI for Data Analysts

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