Our Vision
Democratic opposition research stands at a crossroads. We face a choice: watch our field gradually erode due to consumer-grade AI tools that perform parts of our work at a lower standard, or embrace specialized technology that enables us to achieve better results than we could on our own—results that couldn't be replicated with off-the-shelf products. At Archive Engine, we're committed to the latter path.
A political organization that defunds its own brain can't succeed. That's why we're building tools based on core principles that we believe will define the future of political research.
Our Principles
The Human Element is Non-Negotiable
The opposition researcher is vital to a winning Democratic politics in the 21st century. While technology can enhance elements of our job, electoral judgment must always rest with skilled professionals. Just as tools like LexisNexis and spreadsheets have made researchers more effective without replacing them, we believe AI should be controlled by talented operatives to win elections.
Built for Professionals
We're not creating consumer tools. Archive Engine is built specifically for skilled political operatives who understand that sophisticated technology, properly wielded, is a competitive advantage. Our focus is on making professionals better at winning, not creating a lowest-common-denominator product.
Breaking the Iron Triangle
Traditional opposition research forces impossible trade-offs between comprehensiveness, speed, and cost. We believe well-designed technology can break this iron triangle, enabling comprehensive research without sacrificing time or pushing budgets beyond feasible limits.
Augmentation, Not Replacement
Our goal isn't to replace researchers—it's to make them more effective. We're not replacing a ditch digger with a backhoe; we're giving the ditch digger a backhoe. By handling the routine work, we free skilled professionals to focus on high-value activities like creative investigation, strategic analysis, and narrative development.
Leadership
Pat Dennis
Founder
A veteran of the Democratic opposition research world, Pat founded Archive Engine to ensure the field's evolution in the age of AI makes opposition research more impactful—not obsolete.
Shape the Future of Political Research
Have the skills to build this? We'd love to talk.
Contact us at [email protected]