Kiwi-designed AI tool wins global media award

Democracy AI has won the INMA global 'Best Use of AI' award. Created by Stuff Masthead Publishing Managing Director Joanna Norris, the tool searches and surfaces stories from local body documents.

Trialled at the Waikato Times, the AI system is now used across Stuff newsrooms. Judges called it "good for democracy, journalism and media users" and "a blueprint for many publishers."

Stuff defeated 286 organisations from 49 countries. The tool also won Best in Asia Pacific from 839 submissions.

Waikato Times Editor MacKenzie says it's "like having an army of worker bees" scanning council minutes and government reports for stories that matter to local communities.