The Family History AI Show

In the last episode of 2025, Co-hosts Mark Thompson and Steve Little present their predictions for how artificial intelligence will transform genealogy research in 2026. This special episode examines fourteen key trends shaping the future of family history AI.Mark and Steve predict that AI tools will move from enthusiast circles into mainstream genealogy practice, with AI-enhanced apps like NotebookLM becoming more important than the underlying language models that people have focused on for the past three years.They explore how handwritten text recognition will become more accurate and accessible, and that genealogy companies will cautiously integrate new AI features, first focusing on helping us with our research.Timestamps:02:33 Family History AI Goes Mainstream: From Enthusiasts to Everyday Users04:13 Apps Over Models: Why Platform Features Matter More Than LLMs06:17 Reusable Prompting Tools: GPTs, Projects, and Gems Boost Efficiency08:02 AI-Enhanced Research Gains Acceptance Among Serious Genealogists09:53 Handwritten Text Recognition Gets Better, Easier, and Cheaper12:18 Genealogy Companies Take Cautious Approach to Generative AI17:07 AI-Enhanced Browsers Become Standard, Agentic Features Raise Concerns24:25 Voice Interfaces to AI Remain Niche in 202627:36 LLM Vendors Push File and Email Integration for Stickiness31:46 Productivity Tools Embed LLMs Everywhere35:56 The AI Horse Race: Three Leaders Emerge41:15 AI Licensing Deals Change Internet Access Patterns44:34 The AI Bubble Conversation is important to society, but less so to GenealogistsResource Links:The Family History AI Show Academy https://tixoom.app/fhaishowFamily History AI Goes MainstreamWhat Can AI Do for Your Genealogical Research? – James Tanner (Nov 2025) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXmVKy1pUPEFamilySearch Shares Plans for 2025 (Includes AI integration details) https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/familysearch-shares-plans-for-2025Reusable Prompting ToolsCustom GPTs vs. Gemini Gems: Who Wins? - Learn Prompting (Aug 2025) https://learnprompting.org/blog/custom-gpts-vs-gemini-gemsAI-Enhanced ResearchUnlocking Family Histories: How AI Is Breathing New Life into Handwritten Records (South Central APG)https://southcentralapg.org/2025/08/16/unlocking-family-histories-how-ai-is-breathing-new-life-into-handwritten-records/Handwritten Text RecognitionA new Google model is nearly perfect on automated handwriting recognition - Hacker News https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45887262Cautious AI from Genealogy CompaniesAI-Enhanced BrowsersCompliance alert: Do not use AI browsershttps://vinciworks.com/blog/compliance-alert-do-not-use-ai-browsers/Content Integration with ChatbotsGemini vs Copilot: A Quick Comparison Guide (2025) - Tactiqhttps://tactiq.io/learn/gemini-vs-copilotAI in Office Productivity ToolsMicrosoft Copilot in 2025: What's Changed & What's Next | Aldridgehttps://aldridge.com/microsoft-copilot-in-2025-whats-changed-whats-next/Monthly Round Up: New Features in Microsoft 365 Copilot (Dec 2025)https://dynamicscommunities.com/ug/copilot-ug/monthly-round-up-new-features-in-microsoft-365-copilot/The AI Horse RaceThe Best AI in October 2025? We Compared ChatGPT, Claude, Grok, Gemini & Others - FelloAIhttps://felloai.com/the-best-ai-in-october-2025-we-compared-chatgpt-claude-grok-gemini-others/The 2025 AI Coding Models: Comprehensive Guide to the Top 5 Contenders - CodeGPThttps://www.codegpt.co/blog/ai-coding-models-2025-comprehensive-guideAI Licensing DealsContent Licensing Agreements Will Concentrate Markets Without Standardized Access - ProMarket(Nov 2025) https://www.promarket.org/2025/11/20/content-licensing-agreements-will-concentrate-markets-without-standardized-access/The False Hope of Content Licensing at Internet Scale - ProMarkethttps://www.promarket.org/2025/11/19/the-false-hope-of-content-licensing-at-internet-scale/The AI Bubble ConversationThe AI boom will turn to bust in 2026https://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-ai-boom-will-turn-to-bust-next-year-says-this-forecaster-who-offers-his-trade-of-the-year-9c2a2332OUTLOOK 2026 Promise and Pressure - J.P. Morgan (Discusses AI market stability vs bubble risks)https://www.jpmorgan.com/content/dam/jpmorgan/documents/wealth-management/outlook-2026.pdfTags:Artificial Intelligence, Genealogy, Family History, AI Predictions, NotebookLM, HTR, AI Browsers, ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Anthropic Claude

Join Mark and Steve as they reflect on AI's surprising journey in 2025. They dive into how DeepSeek drastically lowered AI costs and discuss the rise of Gemini and Anthropic, challenging OpenAI's dominance. With a chuckle, they share their biggest misses, like text-in-image breakthroughs and vibe coding's democratizing effect. Explore the evolution of AI in social media, handwriting recognition, and the game-changing role of reasoning models that drove major advancements this year. Expect a sneak peek into their 2026 predictions!

Dive into the latest in AI as hosts discuss Google's Gemini 3, which sets new standards with its multimodal reasoning capabilities. They explore the improvements in ChatGPT 5.1, making it better at understanding instructions and engaging in longer conversations. Canva's new AI-powered design tools are also highlighted, revolutionizing graphic creation. Plus, learn how incorporating reasoning into transcriptions can significantly enhance accuracy, and discover innovations like NotebookLM's research mode and Nano Banana's Photoshop integration.

Discover how AI-enhanced browsers are revolutionizing genealogical research and making data collection effortless. Learn lessons from AOL's rise that can guide AI's broader adoption today. The podcast also dives into Anthropic's lightning-fast Haiku 4.5, perfect for simple tasks, and discusses how to effectively use AI for script extraction. Enjoy insights on new AI features in spreadsheets and exciting advancements in handwritten text recognition that promise to transform how we handle archival records.

Discover how Google’s Nano Banana integration with Photoshop is set to change the game for historical photo restoration. The co-hosts delve into the exciting news that ChatGPT Projects are now accessible for free, making it easier for genealogists to organize their research. They also provide essential tips on citing AI-modified images to maintain trust in historical accuracy. In RapidFire, hear about Sora 2's social media features, Claude's new document editing capabilities, and recent advancements in local language models.

Co-hosts dive into the groundbreaking AI advancements of 2025, highlighting DeepSeek's open-source impact and the innovative features of GPT-5. They celebrate FamilySearch's Full-Text Search going live, allowing access to 1.4 billion records. Listeners learn photo restoration tips using Nano Banana, including when it's effective. The duo also discusses the environmental implications of AI, Google’s new mobile app features, and a significant antitrust ruling reshaping the search landscape. Expect engaging insights from real genealogists using AI to uncover family histories!

Co-hosts explore the mixed reception of ChatGPT 5 and OpenAI's quick responses. They delve into Google's innovative Nano Banana model for selective image editing, sparking debates around photo ethics in genealogy. Mark provides practical advice on crafting AI citation prompts, emphasizing the importance of 'good enough' over perfection. Discussions also touch on Apple's rumored partnership with Google, new AI study modes for education, Anthropic's copyright settlement, and shifting privacy policies, plus the escalating browser wars in the AI landscape.

The arrival of ChatGPT-5 brings improved reasoning and reduced errors, making it a game-changer for genealogists. OpenAI's new Study Mode acts like a personal tutor, enhancing learning experiences. Beginners are cautioned against complex AI tasks, emphasizing the importance of mastering the basics first. The discussion also covers the exciting release of NotebookLM, which adds multimedia support, and outlines the impressive earnings reported by AI firms, alongside Google's ongoing legal challenges.

The hosts delve into the exciting launch of ChatGPT-5, detailing its significant upgrades for genealogists, like automated model selection and enhanced reasoning that cut down hallucinations by 45%. They demonstrate improved image analysis with old photos, showing how the AI now suggests research avenues automatically. The discussion also covers the hosts' new course on utilizing AI in family history research, designed to make these tools more accessible to everyone. Additional features include a revamped voice mode that introduces quirky personalities!

Co-hosts dive into the innovative ChatGPT Agent that can autonomously handle research tasks with ease. They highlight crucial security tips for protecting sensitive family data in an AI-driven world. A back-to-basics look at AI reveals its four strengths: summarization, extraction, generation, and translation. The conversation heats up with insights on OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google's competitive AI office suites, alongside massive infrastructure investments and a new AI action plan by the White House.