The Saturday Economist and Artificial Intelligence
How we are using AI in our research in 2026.
How we are using AI in our research in 2026.
At The Saturday Economist, we believe the complexities of the 2026 global economy require more than just traditional spreadsheets. To stay "fast-moving, content-rich, and rigorous," we utilize a collaborative workflow that blends human expertise with advanced Artificial Intelligence.
We use a variety of tools in our AI suite. ChatGPT, features along with Gemini, Perplexity and MyMemo. We like Perplexity for research projects, easy categorization and detailed reference notes are important. MyMemo (similar to NotebookLM) is great for training our AI models on specific issues such and UK and Monetary policy for example.
This is how we are using Gemini AI for our work with The Saturday Economist. We call this the Centaur approach. Human led hypothesis, AI powered synthesis and Editor's Analysis. AI provides the horsepower, our editors provide direction.
The Three-Pillar Process
Human-Led Hypothesis and Research. Every article begins with our core research team and senior analysts. We identify the "signal" within the “noise”, such as the impact of the federal shutdown on CPI reliability. We provide the strategic direction, the contrarian angle, and the "kitchen table" context that algorithms often miss.
2. AI-Powered Synthesis (Gemini AI) We utilise Gemini AI as a sophisticated thought partner. By processing vast amounts of raw data, federal transcripts, and historical archives, Gemini helps our team:
Identify patterns and "data mirages" across time series data.
Draft initial structures to ensure a rapid turnaround of time-sensitive news.
Cross-reference secondary data points
3. The "Editor’s Analysis" No content is ever "auto-published." Every draft undergoes a rigorous editorial process. Our editors inject our signature style the touch of humour and sharp-edged analysis, while performing a manual "fact-check" of every statistic. This ensures that while the processing is high-tech, the accountability remains human.
Transparency Matters
We are committed to being open, truthful, and honest. In an era of "black box" algorithms, we disclose our use of AI because we believe it makes our research better, faster, and more comprehensive. We don't just use AI to write; we use it to think deeper and look further into the economic horizon.
We believe in the future of "Centaur Publishing", the powerful combination of human intuition and artificial intelligence. We use Gemini AI as a sophisticated thought partner to help us stay "fast-moving, content-rich and fun." However, we never "auto-publish." Every word you read has been vetted by an editor to ensure our signature blend of rigorous analysis and humor remains intact.
"AI provides the horsepower; our editors provide the direction." The result is analysis that is as fast as the markets and as reliable as always.
John Ashcroft and The Saturday Economist Team ...
We use a variety of tools in our AI suite. ChatGPT, features along with Gemini, Perplexity and MyMemo. We like Perplexity for research projects, easy categorization and detailed reference notes are important. MyMemo (similar to NotebookLM) is great for training our AI models on specific issues such and UK and Monetary policy for example.
This is how we are using Gemini AI for our work with The Saturday Economist. We call this the Centaur approach. Human led hypothesis, AI powered synthesis and Editor's Analysis. AI provides the horsepower, our editors provide direction.
The Three-Pillar Process
Human-Led Hypothesis and Research. Every article begins with our core research team and senior analysts. We identify the "signal" within the “noise”, such as the impact of the federal shutdown on CPI reliability. We provide the strategic direction, the contrarian angle, and the "kitchen table" context that algorithms often miss.
2. AI-Powered Synthesis (Gemini AI) We utilise Gemini AI as a sophisticated thought partner. By processing vast amounts of raw data, federal transcripts, and historical archives, Gemini helps our team:
Identify patterns and "data mirages" across time series data.
Draft initial structures to ensure a rapid turnaround of time-sensitive news.
Cross-reference secondary data points
3. The "Editor’s Analysis" No content is ever "auto-published." Every draft undergoes a rigorous editorial process. Our editors inject our signature style the touch of humour and sharp-edged analysis, while performing a manual "fact-check" of every statistic. This ensures that while the processing is high-tech, the accountability remains human.
Transparency Matters
We are committed to being open, truthful, and honest. In an era of "black box" algorithms, we disclose our use of AI because we believe it makes our research better, faster, and more comprehensive. We don't just use AI to write; we use it to think deeper and look further into the economic horizon.
We believe in the future of "Centaur Publishing", the powerful combination of human intuition and artificial intelligence. We use Gemini AI as a sophisticated thought partner to help us stay "fast-moving, content-rich and fun." However, we never "auto-publish." Every word you read has been vetted by an editor to ensure our signature blend of rigorous analysis and humor remains intact.
"AI provides the horsepower; our editors provide the direction." The result is analysis that is as fast as the markets and as reliable as always.
John Ashcroft and The Saturday Economist Team ...
