Turning Data into Action

AIR'S PROBLEM-SOLVING CONTINUUM

Key Challenge: Transforming Data into Insight

Data creates real value when it informs decisions. Many organizations struggle to connect information across systems, translate findings into practical insights, monitor progress, and provide leaders with timely, reliable evidence. AIR helps clients strengthen data systems, analytics, interoperability, and knowledge translation so evidence can drive better decisions and measurable results.

As data becomes more complex, organizations must be able to both access information, but also understand it in ways that are trustworthy, interpretable, and actionable. AIR combines artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, advanced analytics, and rigorous research methods to help clients transform complex data into clear insights that improve programs, policies, and outcomes.

What Sets AIR's Approach Apart

Combining expertise in research, analytics, technology, and communications, AIR helps organizations move from data collection to informed action. We design systems, monitor progress, and generate evidence to ensure findings are accessible and actionable for the people who need them most.

We do this by:

Designing Data Systems That Support Monitoring Progress and Implementation

AIR designs data tools and systems that help organizations monitor their progress toward completing goals, implementing policy or program change, and making informed decisions.

The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) provides evidence-based analysis of current and projected acute food insecurity. AIR manages FEWS NET’s Data, Learning, and Communications Hub, supporting the technology and strategies needed to manage, analyze, and share food security data worldwide.

AIR developed the Early Warning Intervention and Monitoring System (EWIMS), a user-friendly, evidence-based framework that enables schools to monitor key indicators, including attendance, course performance, and credit accumulation, to identify students who may need additional support.

Providing Analytics for Decisionmaking

AIR applies rigorous analytic methods to turn complex data into actionable insights.

The Center for Process Data has helped education and research partners turn process data into clear, useful insights that improve learning, design, and decisionmaking.

For CMS, AIR develops, maintains, and modernizes electronic clinical quality measures (eCQMs) that support clinician performance, value-based payment programs, and care quality for Medicare beneficiaries. 

Integrating Data Across Programs and Systems

AIR helps organizations connect data across systems to create a more complete view of performance, outcomes, and opportunities for improvement.

Connecting data across child welfare systems requires cross-system collaboration. AIR has partnered with child welfare leaders to examine how data sharing across child welfare, health, education, and human services agencies can improve child safety and well-being.

For AIR's study of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, AIR linked data across six federal agencies, creating a powerful, longitudinal view of veterans’ pathways from military service to education and into the workforce.

Translating Evidence into Action

AIR develops dashboards, data visualizations, and evidence-based tools that help stakeholders understand information and apply it in practice.

By combining local knowledge with public data through PlaceWise, AIR helps communities identify the indicators that matter most and use them to guide decisions.

The Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center (MSKTC) translates research into practical, user-friendly resources for people with spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, burns, and their caregivers. 

Supporting Responsible Use of Technology and AI

AIR helps organizations evaluate and implement emerging technologies responsibly by generating evidence, testing innovative approaches, and developing practical guidance for AI use.

AIR experts are helping advance responsible AI use in education research, including efforts to create a common set of principles to guide the ethical and effective use of AI technologies.

AIR recently launched the AI in Education Research Network to help educators, school and district leaders, and policymakers make sound decisions around tools and instruction practices enabled by AI.