Our Three-Pillar Data Collection Framework
Pillar 1: Open-Source Intelligence & AI-Assisted Analysis
The foundation of our remote methodology is a rigorous Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) process. We continuously monitor a vast array of public sources—media archives, social networks, official government records, procurement databases, and NGO reports—to identify patterns, map networks, and verify claims.
The Engine: NOUS AGI To process large volumes of Georgian-language content that would be impossible to analyze manually, we leverage an experimental AI framework called NOUS AGI. This system is not just a tool; it is a core part of our research into distributed intelligence, originating from the Indie 6xPhD program . NOUS AGI is a simple Lisp-based project that semi-automatically coordinates between multiple large language models (including GPT-4, Claude, Gemini, and Llama) for complex analytical tasks, allowing us to see patterns in the noise.
Technological Transparency & Limitations: We believe in radical honesty about our methods. NOUS AGI is an experimental research prototype in a constant state of beta testing. It does not replace human judgment but enhances our analytical capacity. Errors, artifacts, and even the occasional, unintentional publication of raw debug logs directly from the system are possible. We consciously embrace this transparency, as these "seams" are part of our open research process into the real-world application of AI in complex political environments .
Pillar 2: Formal Information Requests & The Transparency Log
This is our core methodological innovation. We systematically submit official inquiries to state, municipal, and parliamentary bodies to map their institutional processes. The goal is not merely to get an answer, but to document how the system itself works: who forwards the request, which departments are responsible, what formal barriers are erected (e.g., the demand for wet-signed paper documents or Georgian-specific e-signatures), and how procedural deadlines are met or missed .
All our formal inquiries and the institutional responses we receive — or the documented silence — are published in our public Transparency Log. This log is a live research tool that audits not only Georgian bureaucracy but international systems as well. Our initial stress test of over 18 international emergency grant mechanisms, which revealed a systemic failure to provide timely support, is a key part of this ongoing audit .
Pillar 3: Primary Source Intelligence
To complement our OSINT analysis, we gather primary qualitative data through two main channels:
The Citizen Signals Channel: We operate a secure, anonymous channel for citizens to report relevant information about election irregularities, administrative pressure, or municipal governance issues. All signals undergo a rigorous verification process and are used only in an aggregated, fully anonymized format.
Important: CAT AGI is a research initiative, not a rapid-response service. All data is collected for deep, post-election analysis. Our goal is to identify systemic patterns for our final reports, not to intervene in single incidents in real time.
Expert & Insider Interviews: Our analysis is further deepened through a series of open and anonymous interviews with subject-matter experts, journalists, civil society members, and, where possible, insiders within the system. These conversations provide invaluable qualitative context, expert validation, and nuanced perspectives that are not available in open sources.