In today’s data-rich workplace, data storytelling is increasingly recognised as an essential competency to enhance comprehension, persuasion and informed decision making. This paper presents findings from a Community of Practice (CoP) session titled “Reimagining Data Storytelling with Generative AI”, designed as an interactive, active learning experience for National University of Singapore (NUS) Executive and Administrative staff who had previously completed basic or intermediate course under NUS Data Literacy Programme (DLP). Participants represented a diverse range of ages, job functions, levels of AI familiarity and disciplinary backgrounds.

To address the learning needs of the diverse audience, the session incorporated storytelling activities, guided live demonstration of AI tool by lecturers and collaborative group presentations. Central to the session was NarratEve, an educational data storytelling custom GPT companion developed to scaffold the personalized learning experience through the data storytelling workflow. Custom GPT is a tailored version of GPT model designed for specialised domains, enabling personalised and context specific interactions. Using curated datasets, participants worked in teams and engaged with NarratEve to ideate, analyse and craft compelling data stories. The collaborative team discussions and group presentations further fostered active learning and feedback during the CoP.

In this paper, we examine participants’ perceptions of NarratEve’s effectiveness and usefulness in enhancing their data storytelling skills and the overall impact of the CoP learning experience.

Our analysis of pre- and post-session survey data revealed a significant increase in participants’ confidence in both data analysis and data storytelling. The vast majority reported high levels of effectiveness, engagement and usefulness of NarratEve as well as strong overall satisfaction with the CoP experience.

These findings suggest that, when generative AI tools like NarratEve are purposefully integrated into a social and peer learning environment, they can effectively enhance learners’ engagement and development of data storytelling competencies. The study offers a promising model for how human-AI collaboration can be harnessed to supplement traditional teaching and learning instructional approaches to empower data-literate professionals in the workplace.

Keywords: Data storytelling, Generative AIs, adult learners, ChatGPT, customGPT.