Genealogy at a glance: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Genealogy Research

Written by AI expert Thomas MacEntee, this new publication examines the rapid growth of Artificial Intelligence in genealogy. According to MacEntee, “AI deals with the simulation of intelligent behavior in computers. AI systems can perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, including visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and language translation.” To put it into layman’s terms, if you’ve ever gotten a ticket in the mail for speeding or running a red light when no policeman was present, you’ve experienced AI. Mr. MacEntee starts with general information about AI and gradually drills down to its application to genealogy. First, comes a discussion of different AI platforms, such as ChatGPT, which is capable of producing human-like text based on mere fragments of information. AI capabilities can also significantly enhance genealogical research by providing detailed and accurate family histories, streamlining the research processes, and improving the overall family history experience.