Meet the small group of engineers helping the public sift through the Epstein files

Fast Company Tech

by Steven Melendez

February 23, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

A small team of volunteer developers has created innovative tools like Jmail and other web apps to help the public navigate millions of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. These tools, inspired by popular platforms such as Gmail, Google Drive, and Wikipedia, transform complex data into user-friendly interfaces, making it easier for journalists and the public to search and understand Epstein’s vast correspondence and connections. The project highlights how a scrappy team leveraged modern AI tools like Cursor and Anthropic’s Claude models to rapidly develop and improve their platforms, processing messy PDFs and extracting valuable information like flight data and Amazon orders. The initiative began after Luke Igel and Riley Walz noticed the public’s limited ability to access and interpret Epstein-related documents. Using AI-powered software from Reducto, they transformed scanned emails and handwritten notes into structured data, enabling features like JFlights, which displayed Epstein’s travel history in a Google Flights-style interface. The team also built JDrive for file management and Jamazon for tracking Epstein’s Amazon purchases. Their work required not only technical expertise but also careful consideration of privacy and redactions to protect sensitive information. The project demonstrates the power of AI tools in democratizing access to critical data, allowing a small group to achieve what major organizations often do. Despite challenges like scaling infrastructure and handling massive traffic after the DOJ’s January release of millions of files, the team stabilized their platform, serving over 500 million page requests to more than 50 million unique visitors. Their success shows how collaboration, innovation, and open-source principles can lead to impactful solutions that empower the public to engage with complex information. This initiative also underscores the importance of responsible technology use, as the team prioritized privacy and accuracy while surfacing potentially sensitive details. By leveraging cutting-edge AI and iterative development, they created a suite of tools that have

Verticals

designtech

Originally published on Fast Company Tech on 2/23/2026