The Family History AI Show

Mark Thompson and Steve Little
The Family History AI Show

Welcome to "The Family History AI Show," your go-to podcast for the latest news and views on artificial intelligence and family history. Join Steve Little, world-class authority in AI and genealogy, and Mark Thompson, professional genealogist, educator, and technology expert, as they explore the fascinating intersection of family history and AI. In each episode, Mark and Steve unpack the latest news and tools in AI, delivering clear, accessible insights on how you can transform your personal genealogy journey using AI and how AI is reshaping the genealogy community as a whole.

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    EP20: Top AI Tools Worth Paying For in 2025, AI Tools Not Worth Paying For, 12 Days of OpenAI Begins, Use AI Hallucinations to Your Advantage

    Co-hosts Mark Thompson and Steve Little reveal their top recommendations for AI tools worth paying for in 2025. They also discuss which AI tools aren't worth paying for in 2025. One of them might surprise you!Next, Mark and Steve begin their review of OpenAI's "12 Days of OpenAI" announcements, beginning with the release of their enhanced O1 reasoning model. This new model will help you plan your family history research.This week's Tip of the Week challenges conventional thinking about AI hallucinations, suggesting ways to leverage this characteristic as a feature rather than a bug.In RapidFire, Mark and Steve examine Microsoft's Copilot Vision beta release, Apple's cautious AI rollout strategy, Google's new memory feature in Gemini, and XAI's significant funding round.Timestamps:In The News:03:10 AI Tools Worth Paying For in 202519:48 Specialty AI Tools to Consider in 202526:46 AI Tools Not Worth Paying For in 202532:26 OpenAI's 12 Days of Gifts BeginsTip of the Week:40:10 Treat AI Hallucinations as a Feature, not a BugRapidFire:50:06 Microsoft Copilot Vision Beta Launch53:18 Apple's Intelligence Rollout Plans56:20 Google Gemini Adds Memory Feature59:34 XAI's $6 Billion Funding RoundResource LinksChatGPT Plushttps://openai.com/index/chatgpt-plus/ (https://openai.com/index/chatgpt-plus/)ChatGPT Advanced Voice Modehttps://help.openai.com/en/articles/8400625-voice-mode-faq (https://help.openai.com/en/articles/8400625-voice-mode-faq)Claude Prohttps://claude.ai/ (https://claude.ai/)Perplexity Prohttps://www.perplexity.ai/pro (https://www.perplexity.ai/pro)Acrobat AI Assistanthttps://helpx.adobe.com/ca/acrobat/using/generative-ai.html (https://helpx.adobe.com/ca/acrobat/using/generative-ai.html)Eleven Labshttps://elevenlabs.io/ (https://elevenlabs.io/)Mid Journeyhttps://www.midjourney.com/ (https://www.midjourney.com/)Microsoft Copilot Prohttps://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/copilot (https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/copilot)Grammarlyhttps://www.grammarly.com/ (https://www.grammarly.com/)ChatGPT O1 Modelhttps://openai.com/o1/ (https://openai.com/o1/)ChatGPT O1 Prohttps://openai.com/index/introducing-chatgpt-pro/ (https://openai.com/index/introducing-chatgpt-pro/)Microsoft Copilot Visionhttps://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-copilot/blog/2024/12/05/copilot-vision-now-in-preview-a-new-way-to-browse/ (https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-copilot/blog/2024/12/05/copilot-vision-now-in-preview-a-new-way-to-browse/)Apple Intelligencehttps://www.apple.com/ca/apple-intelligence/ (https://www.apple.com/ca/apple-intelligence/)Sirihttps://www.apple.com/siri/ (https://www.apple.com/siri/)Gemini Memory Featurehttps://techcrunch.com/2024/11/19/googles-gemini-chatbot-now-has-memory/ (https://techcrunch.com/2024/11/19/googles-gemini-chatbot-now-has-memory/)X AI Platformhttps://x.ai/ (https://x.ai/)Tags (broad to specific, unique terms)Artificial Intelligence, Technology, Genealogy, Family History, Machine Learning, AI Tools, AI Product Reviews, AI Pricing, Voice Technology, Image Generation, Research Tools, AI Ethics, Content Creation, Professional Research, Language Models

    1h 7m
  2. 11/21/2024

    EP18: Claude Improves AI Writing, ChatGPT Desktop Apps Arrive, OpenAI Joins AI-Enhanced Search Race, Apple Begins AI Rollout, Meta Brings Reuter’s News to Facebook

    Co-hosts Mark Thompson and Steve Little discuss how Anthropic's Claude 3.5 Sonnet upgrade has made Claude an even better AI writer. This make's it even easier to write a great research report. They move on to explore OpenAI's new desktop apps and Advanced Voice Mode, discussing how voice interaction could transform genealogical research, particularly for those who prefer speaking to typing. Combining search and AI in the same tool will be a huge timesaver for genealogy research. This week's Tip of the Week reveals the best ways to leverage free AI tools for family history research. There’s no need to pay for AI tools if you only need these features a few times a day.In RapidFire, they examine the future of AI agents, Apple's cautious AI rollout in iOS 18.1, and Meta's strategic content partnership with Reuters.Timestamps:In the News:02:20  Claude 3.5 Sonnet (new): AI Writing Reaches New Heights06:50 ChatGPT Desktop Apps: Now Available for Both Macs and PCs14:00 AI Search Gets Real: AI-Enhanced Search From ChatGPTTip of the Week:19:20 Free AI Tools: How To Get Premium AI Results For FreeRapidFire:26:50 AI Agents: The Future of Computer Interaction31:20 Apple Intelligence: IOS 18.1 Starts the Rollout of AI for Apple40:26 Meta's Reuters Deal: The First (of Many?) Content Partnerships for FacebookResource Links:ANTHROPICClaude 3.5 Sonnethttps://www.anthropic.com/claude/sonnetProjects featurehttps://www.anthropic.com/news/projectsOPENAIChatGPThttps://chatgpt.com/Desktop Appshttps://openai.com/chatgpt/desktop/ (https://openai.com/chatgpt/desktop/)Advanced Voice Modehttps://help.openai.com/en/articles/8400625-voice-mode-faqGPT Searchhttps://openai.com/index/introducing-chatgpt-search/ (https://openai.com/index/introducing-chatgpt-search/)APPLEiOS 18.1https://www.apple.com/ca/newsroom/2024/10/apple-intelligence-is-available-today-on-iphone-ipad-and-mac/ (https://www.apple.com/ca/newsroom/2024/10/apple-intelligence-is-available-today-on-iphone-ipad-and-mac/)Apple Intelligencehttps://www.apple.com/apple-intelligence/Sirihttps://www.apple.com/siri/Apple Photo Searchhttps://9to5mac.com/2024/09/25/photos-search-in-ios-181-actually-works-thanks-to-apple-intelligence/METAMeta AIhttps://ai.meta.com/meta-ai/Reuters Partnershiphttps://www.reuters.com/technology/artificial-intelligence/meta-platforms-use-reuters-news-content-ai-chatbot-2024-10-25/MISCPerplexityhttps://www.perplexity.aiMicrosoft Copilothttps://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/copilotTags:Artificial Intelligence, Technology, Cloud Computing, Machine Learning, Family History, Genealogy, AI, Mobile Technology, Natural Language Processing, Large Language Models, Generative AI, AI Search, Voice Assistants, AI Agents, Research Tools, Content Creation, Digital Writing, Document Analysis, Privacy, Data Protection, AI Ethics, Claude 3.5 Sonnet, ChatGPT, Apple Intelligence, Meta AI, Perplexity, Microsoft Copilot, iOS 18.1, Siri, AI Writing, Desktop Applications, Mobile Apps, Photo Organization, Email Tools, Content Partnerships, Source Citation, Voice Interaction, User Experience, Cloud Services, Free Tools, Premium Features, Tool Comparison, Workflow Optimization, Family Research, Genealogy Tools, Research Reports, Narrative Writing, Genealogists, Family Historians, Tech Writers, Researchers, Digital Creators

    44 min
  3. 11/12/2024

    EP17: AI Writing Gets Easier with OpenAI’s New Canvas Feature, Chatbots Try to Replace Traditional Software, Privacy Protection and AI, Big NotebookLM Updates

    Co-hosts Mark Thompson and Steve Little examine OpenAI's new Canvas feature, demonstrating how this split-screen interface revolutionizes document creation and editing for genealogists. Locality guides and research reports are used as practical examples.They explore how AI platforms like Canvas and Perplexity Spaces are challenging traditional software, suggesting a future where content creation happens primarily within AI environments rather than conventional office applications.This week's Tip of the Week addresses critical privacy considerations when using AI tools, introducing the practical "Water Cooler Rule" for protecting sensitive genealogical data.In RapidFire, they discuss Apple's research on AI reasoning, NotebookLM's enhanced audio overview capabilities for turning historical documents into conversations, and preview Apple's upcoming AI features in iOS 18.1.Whether you're embracing AI tools or just starting to explore them, this episode offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of AI’s and genealogical research.Timestamps:In the News:04:15 OpenAI Canvas: The New Frontier of AI Writing12:40 The Great Shift: AI Platforms vs Traditional Software26:20 Perplexity Spaces: Collaborative AI Research BreakthroughTip of the Week:31:30 Privacy & Protection: Smart Guidelines for AI Use in Family HistoryRapidFire:39:15 Apple's Research on AI Reasoning: What It Means for Users43:40 NotebookLM's Game-Changing Audio Features49:25 Apple Intelligence: iOS 18.1 PreviewResource LinksOpenAIChatGPT: https://chatgpt.com/ (https://chatgpt.com/) Canvas feature: https://openai.com/index/introducing-canvas/ (https://openai.com/index/introducing-canvas/)AnthropicClaude 3.5 Sonnet: https://www.anthropic.com/claude/sonnet (https://www.anthropic.com/claude/sonnet) Artifacts feature: https://support.anthropic.com/en/articles/9487310-what-are-artifacts-and-how-do-i-use-them (https://support.anthropic.com/en/articles/9487310-what-are-artifacts-and-how-do-i-use-them)Projects feature: https://www.anthropic.com/news/projects (https://www.anthropic.com/news/projects) GoogleNotebookLM: https://notebooklm.google.com/ (https://notebooklm.google.com/) Google Docs: https://docs.google.com/ (https://docs.google.com/) Google Slides: https://slides.google.com/ (https://slides.google.com/)  Audio Overview feature: https://blog.google/technology/ai/notebooklm-update-october-2024/PerplexitySpaces (collaborative feature): https://www.perplexity.ai/hub/faq/what-are-spacesPages feature: https://www.perplexity.ai/hub/blog/perplexity-pagesMicrosoftMicrosoft Office: https://www.office.com/ (https://www.office.com/) Microsoft Word: https://www.microsoft.com/word (https://www.microsoft.com/word) Microsoft Excel: https://www.microsoft.com/excel (https://www.microsoft.com/excel) Outlook with Copilot: https://www.microsoft.com/outlook (https://www.microsoft.com/outlook) AppleApple Intelligence: https://www.apple.com/apple-intelligence/ (https://www.apple.com/apple-intelligence/) Siri: https://www.apple.com/siri/ (https://www.apple.com/siri/) VOICE ASSISTANTS:Siri (Apple): https://www.apple.com/siri/ (https://www.apple.com/siri/) Alexa (Amazon): https://developer.amazon.com/alexa (https://developer.amazon.com/alexa) Google Assistant: https://assistant.google.com/ (https://assistant.google.com/) GENEALOGY RESOURCES:North Carolina Genealogical Society: https://www.

    54 min
  4. 10/15/2024

    EP16: Genetic Genealogy Conference Roundup, Open AI Launches Canvas, AI Disclosure, Google Photos Goes AI, Nobel Prizes Focus on AI

    Co-hosts Mark Thompson and Steve Little recap their experiences at the East Coast Genetic Genealogy Conference last week, highlighting Dana Leeds' innovative use of AI for efficiently created charts using the Leeds Method.They then explore OpenAI's new Canvas feature, comparing it to Claude's Artifacts, and discuss its potential for genealogical research.Next, Mark and Steve review Google's Notebook LM, examining its ability to turn documents into engaging podcasts and its usefulness for genealogical research.Don’t miss this week's Tip of the Week, which focuses on the importance of disclosing AI-generated content in genealogical work.In RapidFire, they cover Google Photos' upcoming AI-powered search feature, Nobel Prizes awarded to AI researchers, Microsoft's reintroduction of screen capture technology as Copilot Vision, and more.Whether you're a tech enthusiast or a family historian, this episode offers valuable insights into the latest AI advancements and their impact on genealogy.Timestamps:In the News:02:51 Recap of East Coast Genetic Genealogy Conference07:35 Dana Leeds' innovative use of AI for the Leeds Method12:52 OpenAI's new Canvas feature20:54 Google's Notebook LM and its applications in genealogyTip of the Week:29:16 Disclosing AI-generated content in genealogical workRapidFire:42:34 Google Photos' upcoming AI-powered search47:26 Nobel Prizes awarded to AI researchers53:16 Microsoft's Copilot Vision: Reintroduction of screen capture technology57:32 Closing thoughts and announcementsResource LinksEast Coast Genetic Genealogy Conferencehttps://ecggc.org/The Leeds Method with Claude Artifactshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tp5DzuLeaN4ChatGPThttps://openai.com/chatgptClaude AIhttps://www.anthropic.com/claudeOpenAIhttps://openai.com/Google Notebook LMhttps://notebooklm.google/FamilySearchhttps://www.familysearch.orgMyHeritagehttps://www.myheritage.com/Google Photoshttps://photos.google.com/Nobel Prizehttps://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/2024/summary/https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/chemistry/2024/summary/Microsoft Copilot Visionhttps://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-copilot/blog/2024/10/01/introducing-copilot-labs-and-copilot-vision/Adobehttps://www.adobe.com/Google DeepMindhttps://deepmind.google/Microsoft Edgehttps://www.microsoft.com/edgeTagsArtificial Intelligence, Genealogy, Family History, Technology, OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, ChatGPT, Claude, Canvas, Artifacts, Notebook LM, AI Ethics, AI Disclosure, East Coast Genetic Genealogy Conference, Leeds Method, AI in Research, Google Photos, Nobel Prize, AI Researchers, Copilot Vision, Screen Capture, AI Advancements, Genealogical Research, AI Tools, AI News, Responsible AI Use, AI Privacy, AI Safety, AI Development

    59 min
  5. 10/01/2024

    EP15: Talking with Your Chatbot is Now a Reality, FamilySearch Adds Canadian Records to Full-Text Search, & new Responsible AI Use Series Begins

    Co-hosts Mark Thompson and Steve Little are excited to share OpenAI's Advanced Voice Mode, which enables natural conversations with AI, and how FamilySearch's expanded full-text Search is revolutionizing records accessibility. They stress responsible AI use throughout this week's episode, introducing a new series on verifying the accuracy of AI-generated information.Send your stories of AI accuracy (or accuracy failures) to ResponsibleAI@MakingFamilyHistory.comNew tools like Google's Notebook LM and Apple's Visual Intelligence promise to enhance research capabilities. Throughout, cohosts Mark Thompson and Steve Little emphasize the need for accuracy and verification of facts to combat AI "hallucinations."Genealogists must adapt their skills to leverage these powerful tools as AI evolves.The episode highlights the exciting potential and the critical importance of responsible AI use in family history research.Timestamps:In the News02:11 ChatGPT Advanced Voice Mode Finally Arrives23:26 FamilySearch Full-Text Search Adds a Million Canadian Probate and Homestead RecordsTip of the Week30:42 Responsible AI Series Debuts: Accuracy Takes Center StageRapidFire38:55 Google's NotebookLM is Easy, Powerful Collaborative Workspace46:17 Google Battles Hallucinations with Real-World Data49:28 Apple's Visual Intelligence Promises to Enhance Historical ExplorationResource LinksEmail your stories of accurate AI done right (and complete accuracy failures) to responsibleai@makingfamilyhistory.comOpenAI Advanced Voice Mode: https://help.openai.com/en/articles/8400625-voice-mode-faq (https://help.openai.com/en/articles/8400625-voice-mode-faq)Meta debuts AI chatbot voiced by celebrities: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/meta-ai-chatbot-celebrity-voices-judi-dench-john-cena-awkwafina-mark-zuckerberg/Google Gemini Live: https://blog.google/products/gemini/made-by-google-gemini-ai-updates/FamilySearch Full-text Search: https://www.familysearch.org/search/full-text (https://www.familysearch.org/search/full-text)Google Notebook LM: https://blog.google/technology/ai/notebooklm-audio-overviews/ (https://blog.google/technology/ai/notebooklm-audio-overviews/)Google DataGemma: https://blog.google/technology/ai/google-datagemma-ai-llm/ (https://blog.google/technology/ai/google-datagemma-ai-llm/)Apple Visual Intelligence: https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2024/09/apple-introduces-iphone-16-and-iphone-16-plus/ (https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2024/09/apple-introduces-iphone-16-and-iphone-16-plus/)Tagsartificial intelligence, genealogy, family history, technology, AI tools, ChatGPT, FamilySearch, full-text search, probate records, responsible AI use, Google, Apple, voice assistants, Canadian records, Irish names, OCR technology, AI accuracy, hallucinations in AI, AI ethics, NotebookLM, hands-free research, mobile genealogy, AI-powered transcription, historical records, Data Gemma, NotebookLM, Visual Intelligence

    53 min
  6. 09/26/2024

    EP14: Special Episode on ChatGPT's upgrade to o1-Preview, learn how to (almost) get o1-Preview for free.

    In this special edition of the Family History AI Show, co-hosts Mark Thompson and Steve Little do a deep dive into OpenAI's latest release, code-named "Project Strawberry."They explain the new ChatGPT-o1 models, discuss their reasoning capabilities and most importantly, their potential impacts on genealogical research. They also offer practical advice on when and how to use these new tools effectively.Don't miss this week's Tip of the Week: How to create the new o1 models' reasoning capabilities for free using chain-of-thought prompting.In RapidFire, they cover upcoming OpenAI developments, including potential October releases and the future "Orion" model.This episode blends in-depth analysis with practical tips, providing listeners with valuable insights on leveraging AI tools for family history research.Timestamps:In the News Special: ChatGPT o1-Preview01:57 Project Strawberry: Introduction to OpenAI's new ChatGPT-01 models09:20 What are the new ChatGPT o1 models best for?15:15 When not to use the new ChatGPT-o1 models for genealogy tasksTip of the Week19:25 Simulating ChatGPT-01 capabilities using free tools: Chain-of-thought promptingRapidFire27:25 Predictions for OpenAI's October Developer Event32:00 The future "Orion" model: What to expect from GPT-535:05 OpenAI's latest funding round and its implications for the AI industry38:20 Five Star ReviewResource LinksVictoria Genealogical Societyhttps://victoriags.orgEast Coast Genetic Genealogy Conferencehttps://ecggc.org/North Carolina Genealogical Societyhttps://www.ncgenealogy.orgOpenAIhttps://openai.comChatGPThttps://chat.openai.comChatGPT-01 Previewhttps://openai.com/index/introducing-openai-o1-preview/ (https://openai.com/index/introducing-openai-o1-preview/)Perplexity AIhttps://www.perplexity.aiClaude (Anthropic)https://claude.ai/ (https://claude.ai/)Google Geminihttps://gemini.google.comOpenAI Developer Dayhttps://openai.com/devday/ (https://openai.com/devday/)OpenAI Advanced Voicehttps://help.openai.com/en/articles/8400625-voice-mode-faqSearchGPThttps://openai.com/index/searchgpt-prototype/OpenAI Nears Largest VC Fundraising Round of All Time at $6.5Bhttps://www.adweek.com/media/openai-largest-vc-fundraising-round/Tagsartificial intelligence, AI, technology, genealogy, family history, OpenAI, ChatGPT, GPT-4, AI models, AI reasoning, AI development, AI funding, AI tools, chatbots, large language models, AI research, AI news, AI updates, Project Strawberry, ChatGPT-o1, Orion, prompt engineering, chain-of-thought prompting, AI capabilities, AI limitations, AI for genealogy, genetic genealogy, AI investment, AI industry trends, AI conferences, AI features, AI analysis

    40 min
  7. 09/18/2024

    EP13: Gemini (finally!) Supports File Uploads, AI’s Impact on Learning, Gemini Adds Saved Prompts, Build Better Prompts With Examples

    In this episode of the Family History AI Show, Mark Thompson and Steve Little explore the latest AI news, views and reviews for family historians. They start with Google Gemini's new file upload capabilities and examine AI's impact on genealogy education, offering practical advice for researchers. Then, they discuss the increasing availability of saved prompts across AI platforms.Don’t miss this week’s Tip of The Week: Using examples to improve the reliability of the responses that you get from your AI. RapidFire announcements include the upcoming release of OpenAI's "strawberry" model and potential upgrades to digital assistants such as Alexa.This episode blends news with practical tips, providing listeners with valuable insights to harness AI's potential in uncovering family stories and improving research techniques. Timestamps:AI In the News01:37 Google Releases Gemini Gems: New features for document analysis and mobile access07:35 Genealogists go Back to School: The Impact of AI of Education13:30 Saved Prompts: Discussion on the widespread adoption of saved prompts across AI ToolsTip of the Week19:45 Building Better Prompts - Examples: Improve responses by providing examples in promptsRapidFire27:00 OpenAI's "Strawberry" Announcement: Enhanced Reasoning Capabilities32:00 Top 50 List of AI Tools Announced36:02 Amazon's Alexa Upgrade: Claude AI Coming to an Alexa Near You40:33 Wild Vision Arena Leaderboard: New benchmark for AI image analysis capabilities45:42 Perplexity Plans To Introduce Ads: AI search tool's future business modelResource LinksGoogle Geminihttps://gemini.google.comOpenAI ChatGPThttps://chat.openai.comAnthropic Claudewww.claude.aiPerplexity AIhttps://www.perplexity.aiGoogle Gemini "Gems"https://blog.google/products/gemini/google-gemini-update-august-2024/Anthropic "Projects"https://www.anthropic.com/news/projectsOpenAIhttps://openai.comCharacter AIhttps://character.ai/Suno AIhttps://www.suno.aiAmazon Alexahttps://www.amazon.com/alexa-help-resources/b?ie=UTF8&node=21576560011Wild Vision Arena Leaderboardhttps://huggingface.co/spaces/WildVision/vision-arenaOpenAI "Strawberry" modelhttps://www.wired.com/story/openai-o1-strawberry-problem-reasoning/Andresen Horowitz Top 100 Listhttps://a16z.com/100-gen-ai-apps/ChatGPT Advanced Voicehttps://help.openai.com/en/articles/9617425-advanced-voice-mode-faqApple iPhonehttps://www.apple.com/iphoneApple Intelligencehttps://www.apple.com/ca/apple-intelligence/Google Pixel phoneshttps://store.google.com/category/phonesMicrosoft Copilothttps://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/copilotOpenAI Search GPThttps://openai.com/index/searchgpt-prototype/ (https://openai.com/index/searchgpt-prototype/)Tags artificial intelligence, AI, technology, machine learning, genealogy, family history, AI tools, chatbots, large language models, AI research, AI news, AI updates, OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Alexa, Perplexity, Character AI, AI vision, AI voice assistants, AI ethics, AI regulations, AI benchmarks, AI subscriptions, AI advertising, AI development, AI education, prompt engineering, AI leaderboards, AI investments, AI companies, AI features, AI devices,

    55 min
5
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

Welcome to "The Family History AI Show," your go-to podcast for the latest news and views on artificial intelligence and family history. Join Steve Little, world-class authority in AI and genealogy, and Mark Thompson, professional genealogist, educator, and technology expert, as they explore the fascinating intersection of family history and AI. In each episode, Mark and Steve unpack the latest news and tools in AI, delivering clear, accessible insights on how you can transform your personal genealogy journey using AI and how AI is reshaping the genealogy community as a whole.

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