Artificial intelligence has rapidly permeated professional and casual conversations alike, becoming an unavoidable topic across industries. From corporate boardrooms and industry conferences to unexpected places like book readings—where even an eight-year-old named Teddy recently posed an AI-related question—the technology is capturing widespread attention. This intense curiosity was recently underscored at the Canva Create event, where a panel titled "Data Storytelling in the Age of AI" emerged as the most highly attended breakout session of the day, drawing massive crowds eager to understand the shifting landscape.
What remains particularly striking to industry observers is not merely the sheer volume of interest, but the vastly different ways individuals and organizations are approaching the technology. Some professionals are hesitant and have yet to incorporate AI into their daily routines, while others are in the exploratory phases of experimentation, and a growing segment is already deeply integrating advanced algorithms into their core workflows.
Recognizing this diverse spectrum of adoption, the global data visualization and communication community has officially announced its latest monthly challenge. Designed to serve as a practical opportunity for professionals, students, and hobbyists alike, the initiative encourages participants to form or expand their perspectives through hands-on experimentation. Rather than viewing artificial intelligence as a replacement for human creativity or analytical rigor, the community aims to foster a collaborative mindset. There is a substantial amount to be learned through collective experimentation, critical thinking, and the open sharing of insights among peers navigating the same technological shifts.
The primary objective for the month is straightforward yet ambitious: participants are challenged to explore how human intellect and artificial intelligence can work together seamlessly to create a data communication piece that surpasses anything either could produce entirely on its own.
The Challenge
The core requirement of the initiative is to create a comprehensive data communication project built on a foundation of human and artificial intelligence collaboration. Participants have full flexibility regarding the dataset they choose to utilize. They may draw from professional data they are authorized to share, personal datasets reflecting their individual interests, or any information they find genuinely curious. For those who may not have immediate access to a relevant dataset, the organizing platform provides alternative pathways, such as utilizing practice exercises available through the official storytelling with data: let’s practice! downloadable resources.
Once a dataset is secured, participants are tasked with collaborating with an artificial intelligence tool of their choice to explore, analyze, or construct their visual communication. The scope of AI integration is intentionally broad, allowing individuals to leverage technology for initial brainstorming sessions, refining core messaging, drafting baseline charts, or iterating on design aesthetics.
The challenge accommodates all experience levels. Individuals who are relatively new to artificial intelligence are encouraged to start simply by experimenting to discover what is possible, utilizing popular platforms such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Copilot, or any other conversational or generative tool that sparks their curiosity. Conversely, those who already rely on AI tools as part of their regular routines are urged to push their boundaries by testing unfamiliar tools, adopting novel workflows, or discovering entirely new methods of human-machine collaboration.
Throughout the creative process, participants are asked to reflect critically on their workflow. Key questions include identifying where human input adds the most value, recognizing the specific tasks where artificial intelligence proves most helpful, and determining how the two forces can best complement one another. Contributors are required to document these observations and practical learnings within their project commentary.
Submissions must be shared within the designated community platform by May 31st at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. Participants looking for targeted guidance are invited to note any specific feedback or constructive input they would find valuable directly within their commentary. Beyond submitting their own work, community members are encouraged to spend time browsing other submissions, offering diverse perspectives, and contributing valuable datapoints and feedback over the course of the month.
Related Resources
As the data community continues to navigate the evolving intersection of analytics and emerging technology, a growing body of literature, tools, and discussions has begun to emerge. Participants exploring the monthly challenge are encouraged to consult existing industry resources and share any particularly valuable guides, articles, or tools they encounter within their submission commentaries, fostering an ongoing, collaborative knowledge-sharing environment across the entire professional network.
