In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I sit down with Tom Carroll, Co-Founder of Convos, a startup rethinking how political campaigns communicate through SMS. While political texting has become a standard part of modern campaigning, Tom argues that the industry has spent years solving the problem of message delivery while largely ignoring what happens when voters actually respond.
We explore how Convos is building a conversational SMS infrastructure that helps campaigns manage thousands of voter interactions simultaneously. Rather than focusing solely on message volume, the platform analyzes replies, identifies sentiment and alignment, prioritizes urgent conversations, and helps campaigns understand what voters are really talking about. Tom shares how this approach is helping campaigns move beyond one-way broadcasts and toward genuine engagement at scale.
During our conversation, we discussed why traditional political texting often breaks down once campaigns begin receiving large volumes of replies, how AI-powered conversational systems can help manage those interactions responsibly, and why transparency remains essential when introducing AI into political communications. Tom also explains how Convos uses campaign-approved knowledge bases and multiple validation checks to reduce misinformation and maintain message consistency.
We also examine the broader implications of conversational AI in politics, from voter education and turnout efforts to balancing automation with authenticity. Tom shares examples of how campaigns have used conversational SMS to answer voter questions, provide election information, and create opportunities for meaningful engagement without overwhelming campaign staff.
As AI continues to influence how organizations communicate with large audiences, this conversation offers an interesting look at how technology can help people listen at scale rather than talk louder.
What role should AI play in political engagement, and where should the line be drawn between helpful voter communication and automated persuasion? Share your thoughts and join the conversation.