Enhancing Government Relations Intelligence and Insight Through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Visualization
Durham Region’s Government Relations team is exploring how artificial intelligence and data visualization can streamline information gathering and provide timelier data-driven insights.
This project invites students to explore two complementary initiatives. The first is an AI-enabled tool to support monitoring of council agendas from Durham’s eight local area municipalities, provincial, federal and sector sources, to support the preparation of briefing notes for Regional Council. These activities currently require manual reviews to identify developments relevant to Regional government relations priorities.
The second initiative is an internal interactive dashboard to visualize advocacy activities, engagement, communications and funding outcomes using metrics currently maintained in Excel. *If only one project can be completed within the semester, the AI-enabled monitoring and briefing tool is the priority.
Host Department: Office of the CAO, Corporate Communication
Type of Collaboration: An unpaid practicum/placement student hosted at the Region; A small group of students working on a capstone project
Technology Requirements: This project requires students to have access to Copilot Studio and Power BI at their school and the ability to export their work.
Anticipated Outcome: Students will explore and prototype tools to reduce manual monitoring and briefing preparation, allowing staff to focus on strategic analysis, relationship-building and advocacy. Dashboard development would increase visibility into Government Relations activities and outcomes, supporting data-informed decision-making.
Deliverables: Data analysis, Prototyping
Timeline: 4 months
Desired Start Date: Winter Semester 2027
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