The Family History AI Show

Co-hosts Mark Thompson and Steve Little explore how DeepSeek has dramatically changed the AI landscape by releasing a powerful, inexpensive, open-source model that challenges American dominance in AI.They celebrate the first anniversary of FamilySearch's Full-Text Search, which has expanded from three collections to three thousand in just one-year, revolutionizing access to billions of previously unsearchable records.Mark and Steve examine how Google and Microsoft are integrating AI into their productivity platforms, making these tools accessible to mainstream family historians at minimal cost.This week's Tip of the Week demystifies the difference between instructional and reasoning AI models, helping genealogists choose the right tool for the right job.In RapidFire, they discuss the ambitious $500 billion Project Stargate, major model updates from Gemini and Grok, and how Deep Research capabilities are becoming standard across all AI platforms.Timestamps:In the News:04:34 DeepSeek Shakes the AI World: Game-Changing Model from China15:51 FamilySearch Full-Text Search Turns One: From Thousands to Billions of Records23:33 Google and Microsoft Go All-In: AI Integrated into Workspace ToolsTip of the Week:29:22 Know Your Model: Understanding Instructional vs. Reasoning AIRapidFire:42:25 The Stargate Project: $500 Billion AI Infrastructure Initiative45:38 Major Model Updates: Gemini 2.0 and Grok 3 Beta Released48:41 Deep Research Becomes Industry Standard: Available Across All Major PlatformsResource Links:DeepSeek Backgrounderhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DeepSeekFamily Search Free Text Searchhttps://www.familysearch.org/search/full-text/collection/listFree Text Search of Ireland, Properties, from 1298 to 1975https://www.familysearch.org/search/full-text/collection/M9J1-ZYLCopilot is now included in Microsoft 365 Personal and Familyhttps://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2025/01/16/copilot-is-now-included-in-microsoft-365-personal-and-family/Google AI now Included in Workspace Planshttps://workspace.google.com/blog/product-announcements/empowering-businesses-with-AIIntroducing OpenAI o1https://openai.com/o1/OpenAI o3-minihttps://openai.com/index/openai-o3-mini/Announcing The Stargate Projecthttps://openai.com/index/announcing-the-stargate-project/Gemini 2.0 is now available to everyonehttps://blog.google/technology/google-deepmind/gemini-model-updates-february-2025/Grok 3 Beta — The Age of Reasoning Agentshttps://x.ai/blog/grok-3Try Deep Researchhttps://blog.google/products/gemini/google-gemini-deep-research/Introducing deep research from OpenAIhttps://openai.com/index/introducing-deep-research/Introducing Perplexity Deep Researchhttps://www.perplexity.ai/hub/blog/introducing-perplexity-deep-researchTags:Artificial Intelligence, Technology, Genealogy, Family History, DeepSeek, AI Models, FamilySearch, Full-Text Search, Open Source AI, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Reasoning Models, Instructional Models, Language Models, Stargate Project, AI Infrastructure, Research Tools, Deep Research, AI Capabilities

Co-hosts discuss exciting AI predictions for 2025, including the rise of AI agents that promise better privacy and task efficiency. They delve into the anticipated integration of chatbots in social media, aimed at enhancing user interactions. Writing with AI is also on the agenda, as they predict these tools will soon be widely adopted. The conversation touches on the competitive landscape of AI, discussing major players and emerging innovations. Finally, they navigate potential challenges and highlight what may not come to fruition in the near future.

Co-hosts Mark Thompson and Steve Little explore Google's powerful end-of-year releases that challenge other AI platforms. They examine Google's Deep Research tool and its ability to quickly create comprehensive research reports by combining information from multiple sources.Next, they discuss Facebook's controversial introduction of AI assistants to Facebook groups and what this might mean for genealogy communities.The hosts review Google's NotebookLM's significant updates, including enhanced audio capabilities and collaborative features that could transform how genealogists work together.This week's Tip of the Week demonstrates how ChatGPT Projects can organize and enhance genealogical research, with Steve using his approach to a 2025 genealogy do-over as an example.In RapidFire, they cover Google's new fact benchmark, Gemini 2.0's release, AI-enhanced search results, and OpenAI's O3 announcement.Timestamps:In the News:06:44 Google Deep Research: The New Challenger to Perplexity18:03 Facebook Groups Get AI Assistants24:57 NotebookLM: Major Updates for Collaborative ProjectsTip of the Week:32:15 ChatGPT Projects: Organizing Your Genealogy Do-OverRapidFire:41:52 Google's New Fact Benchmark44:00 Gemini 2.0 Release48:34 Google AI-Enhanced Search Results54:48 OpenAI's O3 Model AnnouncementResource Links:AI Seminar at the Victoria Genealogical Societyhttps://victoriags.org/content.aspx?page_id=4091&club_id=554933&item_id=2488526Legacy Family Tree Webinars: "Genealogy Meets AI: Panel Discussion"https://familytreewebinars.com/webinar/genealogy-meets-ai-panel-discussion/Introducing Gemini 2.0: our new AI model for the agentic erahttps://blog.google/technology/google-deepmind/google-gemini-ai-update-december-2024/Certified Arborist Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/12652295162Exploring Facebook's New AI Tool for Groupshttps://aigenealogyinsights.com/2024/10/22/exploring-facebooks-new-ai-tool-for-groups/NotebookLM gets a new look, audio interactivity and a premium versionhttps://blog.google/technology/google-labs/notebooklm-new-features-december-2024/Using Projects in ChatGPThttps://help.openai.com/en/articles/10169521-using-projects-in-chatgptA new benchmark for evaluating the accuracy of large language modelshttps://deepmind.google/discover/blog/facts-grounding-a-new-benchmark-for-evaluating-the-factuality-of-large-language-models/AI Overviews in Search are coming to more places around the worldhttps://blog.google/products/search/ai-overviews-search-october-2024/OpenAI announces new o3 modelshttps://techcrunch.com/2024/12/20/openai-announces-new-o3-model/TagsAI, Artificial Intelligence, Genealogy, Family History, Technology, OpenAI, Google, Perplexity, ChatGPT, Meta, Content Licensing, AI Conferences, AI Outage, Ethical AI, Disclosure, Genealogy Research, OpenAI Licensing, Google AI Issues, Perplexity Pages, ChatGPT Updates, Meta AI Developments, Grok.AI, AI in Genealogy, AI Tools, Technology in Genealogy, AI Transparency, AI and Privacy

OpenAI's latest innovations take center stage, with highlights on their '12 Days of OpenAI' campaign and new reasoning models. The Canvas tool becomes widely accessible, enhancing project organization and AI collaboration. ChatGPT's Advanced Voice Mode introduces a camera view, transforming mobile genealogy research. Tips reveal how to utilize free AI tools effectively, while discussions cover Apple's careful AI updates and Harvard's donation of a million books for training. The festive Santa Chat feature adds a whimsical touch to user interactions.

Discover the top AI tools to invest in for 2025 and which ones to avoid, with surprising insights. Dive into OpenAI's '12 Days of OpenAI' and learn about the new O1 reasoning model for family history research. Embrace AI hallucinations as creative tools rather than setbacks, unlocking innovative problem-solving. Explore Microsoft's Copilot Vision beta and Apple’s cautious approach to AI, alongside Google's exciting memory feature in Gemini. Plus, hear about the substantial funding boost for Elon Musk's XAI and its potential impact.

Discover how AI is revolutionizing genealogy with MyHeritage's viral LiveMemory tool, which animates old photos. Mark and Steve unveil the top five AI breakthroughs for genealogists, including FamilySearch's full-text search that unlocks vast collections of handwritten records. They also discuss the migration of genealogists to the new social platform, Bluesky. Plus, get practical tips on using AI to trace your ancestors' origins and learn about rapid advancements from tech giants like Google and Amazon.

Discover how Claude 3.5 is revolutionizing AI writing, making research reports easier to craft. Explore new desktop apps from OpenAI that enhance voice interaction for genealogy tasks. Get tips on harnessing free AI tools for family history research effectively. Dive into AI agents' future and Apple's cautious rollout of AI features in iOS 18.1. Plus, learn about Meta's partnership with Reuters, and what it means for AI-generated content in the media landscape.

Discover how OpenAI's new Canvas feature is set to transform document creation for genealogists with its innovative split-screen interface. The hosts dive into the competition between AI platforms and traditional software, predicting a shift in content creation practices. Privacy in AI use gets a spotlight with practical tips to protect sensitive data. Plus, hear about groundbreaking updates like NotebookLM's audio features and Apple’s forthcoming AI enhancements in iOS 18.1. Embrace the future of genealogy with AI insights galore!

Co-hosts share insights from the East Coast Genetic Genealogy Conference, focusing on Dana Leeds' innovative AI charting techniques. They discuss OpenAI's new Canvas feature and Google's tools for transforming documents into engaging podcasts. The importance of disclosing AI-generated content in genealogy is highlighted. In RapidFire, they cover Google Photos' AI enhancements, Nobel Prizes awarded for AI innovations, and Microsoft's new Copilot Vision. Tech enthusiasts and family historians will find valuable insights on AI's evolving role in genealogy.

Discover the exciting advancements in conversational AI, including OpenAI's voice interactions that make chatting with bots feel natural. Learn how FamilySearch has enriched its records with new Canadian data, revolutionizing genealogical research. The hosts emphasize the crucial need for responsible AI use, particularly in verifying information to prevent the pitfalls of AI 'hallucinations.' Tools like Google's NotebookLM also promise to enhance research, making it easier for genealogists to navigate the digital landscape.