Quick Update on AI “Reasoning” Models as OpenAI Releases New o3 Variants

The AI-space has been ablaze with news about "reasoning" models since the release of DeepSeek's reasoning model "R1" (which grabbed attention for its: 1) strength; 2) non-US origins; 3) open-source availability; and 4) cheap access). Now, as OpenAI releases their next reasoning models - "o3-mini" and "o3-mini-high" - it's worth understanding what this "reasoning" buzz … Continue reading Quick Update on AI “Reasoning” Models as OpenAI Releases New o3 Variants

Loathsome Jargon: Context Window

Before we dive into this week’s terrible term, let’s revisit why Loathsome Jargon exists. It all started with a simple, searing dislike—mine—for jargon. Those convoluted, confidence-draining buzzwords that make perfectly good ideas sound like a secret society’s code language. AI, in particular, is a buzzing hive of these horrors. But here’s the truth: behind many … Continue reading Loathsome Jargon: Context Window

Fun Prompt Friday: Narration

Welcome back to Fun Prompt Friday! Last week, we got our hands dirty with the art of extraction, teaching our favorite AI tools how to dig through unstructured texts and unearth rich, structured nuggets of information. If you’ve ever wanted a machine that could comb through raw data and deliver it to you on a … Continue reading Fun Prompt Friday: Narration

Loathsome Jargon: An AI Glossary for Genealogists

I hate jargon with a white-hot passion; the same goes for lingo and terminology. I try to avoid jargon like the plague. (Apparently, however, that fussiness doesn't extend to clichés.) We've probably all noticed that some folks toss out buzzwords to impress others, perhaps as an attempt to bolster their own credibility and camouflage their … Continue reading Loathsome Jargon: An AI Glossary for Genealogists

Fun Prompt Friday: Extraction

This is the first of three "Fun Prompt Friday" posts to start the new year, introducing a set of AI tools to empower researchers with the basic AI skills to advance their family history research. The basic unit of AI genealogy is the USE CASE, a task that a generative model can accomplish as well … Continue reading Fun Prompt Friday: Extraction

The 2025 AI Genealogy Do-Over

For 2025, I've begun an AI Genealogy Do-Over with a kicker of 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks. The year 2024 was a remarkable time to explore the benefits and limits of artificial intelligence for genealogy and family history. There was no shortage of new AI developments to try, and I expect 2025 will be even … Continue reading The 2025 AI Genealogy Do-Over

I Asked ChatGPT’s New “Reasoning” Model to Craft a Research Plan–Here’s What Happened:

Readers interested in this post may also want to know about: "Quick Update on AI 'Reasoning' Models as OpenAI Releases New o3 Variants" (31 Jan 2025). On Thursday 5 December 2024, the creators of ChatGPT kicked-off their "Twelve Days of OpenAI" by releasing the full version of their "reasoning" model, named "o1." Teased and expected … Continue reading I Asked ChatGPT’s New “Reasoning” Model to Craft a Research Plan–Here’s What Happened:

Top Ten AI Genealogy Breakthroughs of 2024

Hi Genealogy Friends and Generative AI Enthusiasts! At 2 PM ET, Wednesday 20 November 2024, I'll be hosting a free Legacy Family Tree Webinar. Discover new ways artificial intelligence assists genealogical research in 2024. From exciting full-text search to emerging voice interfaces, this year marked a significant shift in how we explore family history. We'll … Continue reading Top Ten AI Genealogy Breakthroughs of 2024