Why AI and is it scary?You have used AI and probably didn't know it.
Have you ever done a Google search?
How about in Facebook: Have you seen other people suggested as new people to become friends to ask to be your friend? This is similar with Netflix and Amazon Prime when they show movies you would like based on what you have previously watched.
Have you ever asked Siri, Google Assistant, or Alexa a question? Do you use a NEST thermostat, or similar company in your home that regulates your heat? That learns from what you have one in the past.
All of these and much more use AI to perform their tasks.
FAQ webpages
Do you remember the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) webpages? A page designated to a list of questions that were frequently asked by others consumers, to help navigate the website or complete tasks on the website. Many of these webpages have been replaced by a bot on the main webpage of a website ready to answer your questions. FAQ are still around. We are using it for our East Coast Genetic Genealogy Conference (ecggc,org) but they are not used as much.
To create a way for users to ask a question and receive an answer, before AI, the programming would have had been a lot of what are called IF.. THEN statements.
A IF THEN statement would ask a question with a Yes or No / True or False answer.
A user would ask a question. The programmer would have to have a question such as
IF the word Genealogy is in the question THEN say this...
IF the word DNA is in the question THEN say this...
If the question mentions the word "genealogy" then say this. (Directing them to a spot on the website for genealogy)
If the question mentions the word "certification" then say this.
For each of the important word(s) the site is expecting users to ask about there would have been a IF..THEN statement type of programming. This would take too many lines of code taking many of hours of coding with cost. This much code would also slow down the answer appearing. Way to long and this would be very slow, that is why there were pages called FAQs.
Have you noticed that bots have gotten better at answering your questions and understanding you? That is because of the improvement in the AI programming.
What AI is used for has also increased. Here are some examples in the Genealogy world.
MyHeritage
MyHeritage has utilized AI in some fun family history ways.
The first was adding movement to an ancestor from their photo. Their head, eyes, and mouth moved. Not everyone was happy about that. Some thought it was a little creepy but either way it was pretty cool technology. It is called Animate your family photos.
For an example, check out their website at: https://www.myheritage.com/deep-nostalgia
MyHeritage also has the AI Time Machine.
Upload 10 - 25 photos of one person and then tell the AI Time Machine what time in history you want the person to be by selecting from one of the many themes representing different time in history.
https://www.myheritage.com/ai-time-machine
For Genealogists
Besides what MyHeritage has, what else can AI do you the genealogists? There are a few AI website that will create graphics for you to use for free. As a presenter for PowerPoint presentations or images to add when writing your family history.
Using AI to analyze DNA data is being worked on but nothing specific yet.
Marketing for a Genealogy Company
For a genealogist who has a company or a genealogical society you might want a good tagline to get people's attention. At Grammarly Slogan generator webpage you can answer three questions and it generated 5 slogans for you.
Slogan Generator
Enter in information about your company and the Grammarly Slogan Generator will come up with some great tag lines for your company - all for free.
https://www.grammarly.com/slogan-generator
There are other websites that can do the same thing.
Step 1: Enter Target Audience
My target audience is genealogists who need help with using
technology, software, DNA, and Canadian records.
Step 2: Add business, product, or campaign details
I present webinars about genealogical research, DNA,
Canadian genealogical records,
Name is ifamilyhistory
Step 3: Add Tone of voice
Describe the tone(s) you want your slogan to have.
My tone should be professional and upbeat.
Taglines the AI produced for me based on above information
- "Unlock Your Ancestral Story with iFamilyHistory:
Embrace Technology, Discover Your Roots"
- "Connect the Past with the Future: iFamilyHistory,
Your Gateway to Canadian Genealogical Records"
- "Tech-Savvy Solutions for the Modern Genealogist:
iFamilyHistory, Where DNA Meets Technology"
- "Unleash the Power of DNA: iFamilyHistory, Your
Expert Guide to Canadian Genealogy"
- "Discover Your Canadian Heritage: iFamilyHistory,
Empowering Genealogists with Technology"
The instructions said to put the company name in step 2.
I changed one answers slightly. I said the tone should be "upbeat" instead of "Positive". I received similar results.
1: My target audience is genealogists who need help with using technology, software, DNA, and Canadian records
2: I present webinars about genealogical research, DNA, Canadian genealogical records. Company name is ifamilyhistory
3: My tone should be professional and positive.
- "Unlock Your Ancestral Legacy with iFamilyHistory"
- "Leading the Way in Genealogical Technology and DNA Research"
- "Discover Your Canadian Roots with iFamilyHistory"
- "Empowering Genealogists with Cutting-Edge Technology and Expertise"
- "Navigate the Digital Era of Genealogy with iFamilyHistory"
Sessions on AI
RootsTech website has AI sessions.
Upcoming
There will be more sessions on AI at different conferences. Maybe, AI will be able to analyze our DNA results quicker. Exciting but not everyone is ready or want someone else to do their work for them. Doing the work helps us connect with our cousins and ancestors.
Watch for more ways AI will be able to help you with your genealogy and DNA and enjoy the possibilities.
