Artificial Intelligence (AI) might seem a bit scary to some folks, but it has proven to be a boon to genealogists. This exciting new technology is now buried in many of the tools we use for family history research. Chip makers are now producing chips that are specifically designed to process the mountains of data that AI requires to produce results.
Google’s chess-playing AI software, Alpha Zero, is so good that it can now beat any human. MIT also used AI to discover a new antibiotic they named Halicin. Check out the name of this new drug – after “Hal” the super spaceship computer from the novel “2001 – A Space Odyssey”. The military is using AI to assist fighter pilots. AI can also be applied to help genealogists. Family Search uses AI to read mountains of hand-written records (e.g., census records) to produce an index. AI can search podcasts for specific words. AI is now everywhere.
Google’s search engine also uses AI. Family Search and Ancestry.com also use AI. My Heritage uses AI to improve your old photographs.
Hence, you can not only use your brain for the detective work of genealogy, but you can also enlist some powerful AI. AI can answer some questions like “Why genealogy?”. Or “General approaches to genealogical research”. The AI “bot” will search millions of online records in a flash to generate a consensus type of result. Try some sample questions to see what you receive.
However, do not expect AI to break through your “Brick Wall” for you. You will still be the ultimate detective and data auditor for every step of the discovery process. AI also can be enlisted to utilize your research data and produce a life story of your ancestor.
And, as a caution, sometimes AI will have a “hallucination” and generate some complete garbage for your personal consumption. So, beware and always secure proper sources for your data.
Check out AI and genealogy at your local genealogical society. Folks there will likely have some thoughts to share on this topic.
Ron Gilmore
Email: rvg3@me.com
Website: https://www.rgenealogy.ca