Ancestry CEO Deborah Liu discusses the tech industry, AI's impact on her business, and the value of public records. She also explores genealogy research, surprises from DNA tests, women's career advancement, and the impact of our ancestors' migration on our identity.
Ancestry offers collaborative family tree building, suggesting potential unknown ancestors based on available data.
Ancestry aims to make genealogy accessible to all by expanding its product offerings to cater to diverse heritages.
Deep dives
Ancestry's Services and Subscribers
Ancestry has over 3.6 million active subscribers who use the platform to learn more about their family history. They build their family tree, discover new content, and explore their family story. Ancestry also offers consumer genomics, with 23 million people having taken a DNA test. This allows users to learn about their genetic ethnicity, communities, and even discover distant cousins.
The Collaborative Process of Building Family Trees
Ancestry's process of building family trees is collaborative. When users sign up, they provide basic information about themselves and their family, and Ancestry suggests potential unknown ancestors based on available data. The platform helps users uncover various historical records, such as draft cards or immigration papers, to piece together the stories of their ancestors. Additionally, Ancestry offers research services and allows customers to hire pro-genealogists for personalized research projects when needed.
The Importance of Knowing One's Family History
Ancestry's surveys showed that three-quarters of Americans express a strong interest in learning about their family history. Understanding one's roots provides personal discovery and helps individuals connect with their past to better understand who they are today. Ancestry enables users, particularly those of European heritage, to trace their ancestry back multiple centuries, often unearthing surprising connections to historical events or famous figures. The company aims to make genealogy accessible to all by expanding its product offerings to cater to diverse heritages.
Ancestry CEO Deborah Liu talks about her rise through the tech industry and the impact of AI on her business. She shares her insights on "The David Rubenstein Show: Peer-to-Peer Conversations". This episode was recorded July 24, 2023 in San Francisco.