Higher Ground Labs

In today’s fast-paced political landscape, staying on top of media trends and conducting thorough research is essential. As narratives shift rapidly, traditional methods can be time-consuming and resource-intensive, putting campaigns at risk of falling behind. Generative AI is already stepping in to enhance efficiency, uncover deeper insights, and improve responsiveness in media monitoring and research. Check out HGL’s latest blog post to learn how AI is transforming political research and explore these key case studies: ⬇️ 📊Red Wine and Blue  Used Eightify and ChatGPT-4 to analyze opposition YouTube content and predict voter search behavior. 📰Chorus AI  Developed a smart media monitoring tool for the Texas Border Abuse Campaign, filtering out irrelevant news. 📑CASA working with Cooperative Impact Lab Leveraged Claude and Plural to quickly summarize legislation for the Cover All Kids campaign in both English and Spanish. Read more in the comments below ⏬

Looking to join a mission-driven team and work at the intersection of technology and politics? Our job board currently features 53 open roles across 32 pioneering companies like BallotReady, Civitech, Swayable and more. Whether you're passionate about voter engagement, data analytics, or grassroots mobilization, there's a position for you! 🔍 Ready to find your next career move? Create job alerts and browse roles at the Higher Ground Labs Job Board ⬇

Grow Progress (HGL2) is making it easier and faster for campaigns to understand voter preferences and adjust their strategies in real-time. Take a look at their impact: 📊 2 million responses collected this year, providing campaigns with critical, real-time voter feedback. 🚀 A 200% increase in message effectiveness for clients using Grow Progress. ⏱️ Over 1,000 rapid message tests run this year alone, with 113 tests in just two weeks after VP Kamala Harris' announcement. 📈 A +3.6pp persuasive effect on favorability for messages tested using Grow Progress. 💡 A 500% increase in client testing since 2020. Want to learn more? Read their company profile in the comments below.

BallotReady’s (HGL 1) analysis of the last 4 general elections (November 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023) found that nearly 70% of the positions on the ballot went uncontested, leaving voters with little to no choice at the ballot box. This issue is especially prevalent in rural areas, where many local races are entirely unopposed, and where Democrats failed to field a candidate in over 50% of partisan offices during the 2022 midterms. BallotReady is bringing attention to this gap and helping to ensure voters can make meaningful decisions in every election, at every level. Read more about their research in The New York Times below and learn how this issue is impacting elections nationwide.

Join Maya Hutchinson, co-founder of BattlegroundAI (HGL 2024), for a training session on digital advertising for political campaigns and organizations. Maya will cover the entire process—from planning and creating ads to buying and reporting—and there will be plenty of time for questions. This session is designed to help campaigns at all levels understand how digital ads can support their efforts. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to improve your current strategies, join Maya to learn more. RSVP in the comments below ⬇️

DonorAtlas (HGL 2024) is hiring engineers!  If you: 🧑💻Want to join a small, technical team that gives you the autonomy to make the most of your talent 🗳️Want the code you write to have the externality of contributing to the social good 🗽Currently live in or want to live in NYC then send a resume to [email protected]. More information on the position in the comments below ⬇️

For our team at Higher Ground Labs, the 2024 Democratic National Convention was more than just a political gathering – it was a powerful affirmation of our mission and the progress we’re striving to achieve. As a team comprised primarily of women and people of color working at the intersection of politics, technology, and venture capital, we understand firsthand the importance of representation and breaking barriers. Vice President Kamala Harris’s nomination as the Democratic candidate for President isn’t just a political milestone; it’s a beacon of hope and a testament to the power of elevating voices from all communities. For us, Kamala Harris embodies the spirit of progress and the entrepreneurial drive that fuels America’s innovation. At HGL, we too are breaking barriers in our field, championing voices in political technology and venture capital that have historically been underrepresented. Harris’ candidacy represents a future where barriers are meant to be broken and where progress is not just possible but inevitable. HGL descended on the 2024 Democratic National Convention ready to showcase how technology can power our democracy and revolutionize political engagement. The energy and collective drive to “do something” – to take concrete action for meaningful change – was palpable throughout the week. For a full recap of HGL’s convention programming, read our most recent blog post below ⬇️

Oath (#HGL6) is designed to make impactful giving straightforward and effective. With their monthly program, you can maximize the power of collective action. By setting up a monthly contribution, the Oath team will ensure your support is directed in the most impactful way. Here’s how it works: 1️⃣ Choose an Issue: Select the cause you care about. 2️⃣ Choose an Amount: Set your monthly donation budget. 3️⃣ Make an Impact: Oath allocates your contribution to the areas where it can do the most good. 4️⃣ Confirm Updates: When a race is fully funded or needs change, you’ll be asked to confirm any updates. Monthly giving with Oath helps you stay connected to the issues you care about while maximizing the impact of your contributions. Learn more in the comments below.

🔊Reaching and mobilizing voters across language barriers is crucial for progressives’ diverse coalition – but translating campaign materials and messaging can be time-consuming and resource-intensive. Generative AI is changing that, enabling campaigns to engage multilingual audiences faster and more effectively. From enhancing translations for less common languages to tackling multilingual disinformation, Gen AI is already transforming how campaigns engage with voters across languages. Tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Plural, & Quiller are making it easier to scale outreach while maintaining cultural competence. Read HGL’s Jose Cornejo’s blog post to learn more about how AI is revolutionizing multilingual voter engagement⬇️

Generative AI has the power to save both time and money—two of the most critical resources in campaigns, and in tight-budget races, every efficiency matters. Recently featured in WIRED, BattlegroundAI (HGL 2024) uses generative AI to create hundreds of ad variations in minutes, helping campaigns quickly develop targeted messaging while saving time and costs. Co-founded by Maya Hutchinson, a veteran of President Obama’s digital team, BattlegroundAI is designed specifically for progressive campaigns. Hutchinson explains that the tool isn’t a replacement for human labor but a way to reduce grunt work: “There are so many elements that are repetitive, that are honestly draining of creativity. AI takes away the boring elements.” For overstretched and underfunded teams, BattlegroundAI is a game-changer. Read the full WIRED article below.