{"id":65,"date":"2025-10-22T19:38:49","date_gmt":"2025-10-22T19:38:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/aim3d\/?page_id=65"},"modified":"2026-06-24T19:58:47","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T19:58:47","slug":"modeling-tools","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/aim3d\/modeling-tools\/","title":{"rendered":"AIM-3D Modeling Tools"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Introduction<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Modeling Tools component focuses on data curation, creation of new metrics, and modeling and forecasting of democratization and autocratization trends using causal and machine learning (ML) approaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Our Approach<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">AIM-3D is an empirically grounded and theoretically informed effort to build an AI-based data, modeling, and knowledge hub that systematically analyzes the trajectories of democratization and autocratization across nations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Leveraging recent advances in artificial intelligence, AIM-3D seeks not merely to automate analysis, but to integrate computational modeling with established theories of democratic change, enabling new forms of predictive and explanatory insight into political development and decline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Components<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Data Curation<\/strong> &#8211; Integrating diverse datasets to create a comprehensive foundation for analysis<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>New Metrics<\/strong> &#8211; Developing innovative measures of democratic development and decline<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Causal Modeling<\/strong> &#8211; Applying causal inference techniques to understand drivers of political change<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Machine Learning<\/strong> &#8211; Utilizing advanced ML approaches for forecasting and pattern recognition<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Theory Integration<\/strong> &#8211; Combining computational methods with established theories of democratic change<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In order to read more, please click <a href=\"https:\/\/franco.nd.edu\/research\/research-innovation-collaboratives\/modeling-democracy-with-ai\/\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">AIM-3D Data Platform Tools<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Take a look behind the scenes at the different tools included in our AIM-3D Data platform demo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">NAVAR Causal Score Matrix<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the core of the platform is the NAVAR Causal Score Matrix. It quantifies the learned directional relationships between democratic components, which variables exert influence on others over time, and at what relative strength. In the interactive heatmap, darker cells mark stronger inferred relationships and lighter cells mark weak or negligible relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"453\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/aim3d\/files\/2026\/06\/causal-matrix-full-1024x453.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-973\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/aim3d\/files\/2026\/06\/causal-matrix-full-1024x453.png 1024w, https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/aim3d\/files\/2026\/06\/causal-matrix-full-300x133.png 300w, https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/aim3d\/files\/2026\/06\/causal-matrix-full-768x339.png 768w, https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/aim3d\/files\/2026\/06\/causal-matrix-full-1536x679.png 1536w, https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/aim3d\/files\/2026\/06\/causal-matrix-full.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>The full causal score matrix. Each cell reads as the causal strength from a row variable to a column variable.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A dual slider above the matrix lets users set a floor and ceiling on the causal strength range they wish to isolate. Users can also use their curser to hover over the cells within the heatmap and access tooltips with more detailed information about each relationship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"458\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/aim3d\/files\/2026\/06\/causal-matrix-filtered-1024x458.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-972\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/aim3d\/files\/2026\/06\/causal-matrix-filtered-1024x458.png 1024w, https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/aim3d\/files\/2026\/06\/causal-matrix-filtered-300x134.png 300w, https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/aim3d\/files\/2026\/06\/causal-matrix-filtered-768x344.png 768w, https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/aim3d\/files\/2026\/06\/causal-matrix-filtered-1536x687.png 1536w, https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/aim3d\/files\/2026\/06\/causal-matrix-filtered.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>In this example, the user limited the visible relationships to a range of 0.0102 and 0.0744. The cursor tooltip is also visible.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">NAVAR Implied Causal Graph<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The implied causal graph turns the matrix into a network of the Granger-causal relationships between variables. Directional arrows show which variable influences which. The thickness of each arrow and the value printed on it encodes the strength of the relationship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"465\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/aim3d\/files\/2026\/06\/implied-graph-full-1024x465.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-975\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/aim3d\/files\/2026\/06\/implied-graph-full-1024x465.png 1024w, https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/aim3d\/files\/2026\/06\/implied-graph-full-300x136.png 300w, https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/aim3d\/files\/2026\/06\/implied-graph-full-768x348.png 768w, https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/aim3d\/files\/2026\/06\/implied-graph-full-1536x697.png 1536w, https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/aim3d\/files\/2026\/06\/implied-graph-full.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Users can pan and zoom across the nodes, or select any single node to highlight only the relationships tied directly to it.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"678\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/aim3d\/files\/2026\/06\/implied-graph-zoom-1024x678.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-976\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/aim3d\/files\/2026\/06\/implied-graph-zoom-1024x678.png 1024w, https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/aim3d\/files\/2026\/06\/implied-graph-zoom-300x199.png 300w, https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/aim3d\/files\/2026\/06\/implied-graph-zoom-768x509.png 768w, https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/aim3d\/files\/2026\/06\/implied-graph-zoom.png 1468w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>This shows the implied causal graph zoomed in and all of the relationships of the selected v2xdl_delib node shown in bold.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Multi-Horizon Forecasting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Due to the model&#8217;s predictive nature, it can forecast as well as explain. The multi-horizon forecasting tool charts an index&#8217;s historical trend and projects it 10 years forward, with uncertainty shown as nested prediction intervals. Users can select a country and index of interest to visualize the model&#8217;s forecasting at different intervals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"514\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/aim3d\/files\/2026\/06\/forecast-1024x514.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-974\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/aim3d\/files\/2026\/06\/forecast-1024x514.png 1024w, https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/aim3d\/files\/2026\/06\/forecast-300x151.png 300w, https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/aim3d\/files\/2026\/06\/forecast-768x386.png 768w, https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/aim3d\/files\/2026\/06\/forecast-1536x771.png 1536w, https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/aim3d\/files\/2026\/06\/forecast.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ex: <em>Multi-horizon forecast for the United States legislative constraint on the executive index, with median forecast and 50\/80\/95 percent prediction intervals through 2034<\/em>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Introduction The Modeling Tools component focuses on data curation, creation of new metrics, and modeling and forecasting of democratization and autocratization trends using causal and machine learning (ML) approaches. Our Approach AIM-3D is an empirically grounded and theoretically informed effort to build an AI-based data, modeling, and knowledge hub that systematically analyzes the trajectories of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5154,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":3,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-65","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/aim3d\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/65","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/aim3d\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/aim3d\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/aim3d\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5154"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/aim3d\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=65"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/aim3d\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/65\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":979,"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/aim3d\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/65\/revisions\/979"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/aim3d\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=65"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}