A Cal Poly-born transparency platform is earning national acclaim — including two Emmy nominations — for uncovering hidden patterns in California politics and powering award-winning investigative journalism.
Digital Democracy, built through a campus-based research initiative and relaunched in partnership with nonprofit newsroom CalMatters, uses artificial intelligence to turn large volumes of legislative data into searchable, actionable insights.
An Emmy-nominated entry titled “Digital Democracy” — submitted by CalMatters and CBS News — featured reporting that used the tool’s data to reveal how lawmakers quietly sideline bills by declining to vote, including legislation related to California’s fentanyl crisis. The nomination, in the politics and government category, recognizes CBS News reporter Julie Watts and CalMatters journalist and Cal Poly computer science Professor Foaad Khosmood, who leads research at the Institute for Advanced Technology and Public Policy, for their collaborative investigation powered by Digital Democracy’s analysis.
A second Emmy nomination highlights the system’s role in a CBS News segment investigating campaign contributions from the oil industry and their influence on environmental legislation in the state Capitol.
“These nominations were a total surprise,” Khosmood said. “I may be the only computer scientist nominated for an Emmy, and I’m honored. More than anything, I’m thrilled about the attention this brings to the platform and the students who help power it.”
Digital Democracy has also earned the Punch Sulzberger Prize for Journalism Innovation, a regional Edward R. Murrow Award and accolades from the Sacramento Press Club. Each award underscores its role in supporting watchdog reporting by making government records more accessible and revealing legislative behavior that might otherwise go unnoticed.
At the heart of the project lies a comprehensive AI-powered database that captures every word spoken in public legislative hearings, along with vote records, bill amendments and campaign contributions. Launched in 2015 through Cal Poly’s Institute for Advanced Technology and Public Policy, Digital Democracy began as a bold effort to improve transparency and strengthen local journalism. It was reimagined in April 2024 with new features and a broader mission to support journalists and inform citizens.
The project has been shaped by contributions from faculty across disciplines — including computer science professors Khosmood, Alex Dekhtyar, Franz Kurfess and Davide Falessi, and journalism and political science faculty Patrick Howe, Kim Bisheff and Michael Latner — along with more than 100 Cal Poly students who have supported the work as developers, transcribers and data verifiers.
Winners of the Northern California Emmy Awards will be announced June 14 in Sacramento.
“Recognition like this shows the work matters,” Khosmood said. “It’s exciting — not just for me, but for every student, developer and journalist who helped shape Digital Democracy.”
Visit digitaldemocracy.org to explore the platform.
By Emily Slater
