Half Stack Data Science
S04E02 - Programming with AI - with Simon Willison
Mar 31, 2025
In this conversation, Simon Willison, creator of Datasette and co-creator of Django, discusses his passion for building open-source tools for data journalism. He shares insights on blending AI with coding to empower journalists and the benefits of local large language models. Simon also dives into the transformation AI brings to programming and education, stressing the importance of foundational knowledge. Plus, he shares playful interactions with AI, revealing its creative potential and limitations. Expect intriguing thoughts on technology and journalism!
50:01
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Quick takeaways
- The podcast emphasizes the importance of developing tools that empower data journalists, particularly in supporting impactful storytelling amidst declining funding in traditional news.
- Simon Willison discusses the transformative influence of AI models like GPT-3 on data journalism, enabling non-programmers to engage dynamically with technology and data analysis.
Deep dives
The Mission to Support Data Journalism
The goal of building software specifically for data journalists is emphasized. The speaker aims to create tools that assist journalists in telling impactful stories through data, particularly in the context of investigative reporting. This aim reflects a strong desire to democratize access to powerful data analysis tools, especially for small or emerging news organizations. By developing resources that can help journalists without programming skills, the speaker hopes to enhance the quality and accessibility of data journalism in a landscape where traditional news funding is diminishing.
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