Category: News

“Man as Toolmaker” Is Taking on New Meaning at the Dawn of the AI Age

Kevin Borland introduced Linka, an AI assistant he trained. She writes code to improve features on his genealogy site, Borland Genetics, making it easier for users to share their family history with relatives who aren't members of the site.

About 14 months ago, I suggested genealogists would soon have a "flock of bots" assisting them. Borland Genetics is already making this a reality and even surpassing my expectations. Kevin Borland is creating at the cutting edge, orchestrating multiple AI assistants like a symphony conductor, pushing the boundaries of what's possible. Yesterday, Kevin introduced Linka, … Continue reading “Man as Toolmaker” Is Taking on New Meaning at the Dawn of the AI Age →

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 →

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: →

Exploring Facebook’s New AI Tool for Groups

I recently stumbled upon a new AI feature in Facebook that caught my attention. It all started when I saw an intriguing image from a recommended group—Certified Arborists—and clicked through to check out more. What greeted me wasn't just a series of posts but a new AI assistant for the group, something I hadn't expected. … Continue reading Exploring Facebook’s New AI Tool for Groups →

Paper-to-Podcast Prompt

In this post you'll find:● a PROMPT to generate a podcast script/transcript from any type of content● an example of a podcast script/transcript generated by this PROMPT using a prompt engineering resource as a source document, i.e., hear two hosts discuss prompt engineering in an easy, accessible style● a list of upcoming speaking events A … Continue reading Paper-to-Podcast Prompt →

Episode 12: Hollywood AI Blunder, AI Image Generator Roundup, Google Lens Saves You Time Researching, Use AI For Translation

In this week's episode of "The Family History AI Show," my co-host Mark Thompson and I take you on an exhilarating journey through the latest AI advancements revolutionizing genealogy. We kick things off with a cautionary tale from Hollywood, highlighting the critical importance of fact-checking AI-generated content. Then, we dive deep into the world of … Continue reading Episode 12: Hollywood AI Blunder, AI Image Generator Roundup, Google Lens Saves You Time Researching, Use AI For Translation →

Episode 11: Microsoft Simplifies Research with “Deep Search”, Google Goes All In on AI, Have We Entered the Post-Photography Era?

In this episode of "The Family History AI Show" podcast, hosts Mark Thompson and I discuss Microsoft's new AI-enhanced search tool, Deep Search. Then, we review Google's major list of AI announcements. In the last of the big stories this week, Mark and I talk about how photography is changing in the digital age. Don’t … Continue reading Episode 11: Microsoft Simplifies Research with “Deep Search”, Google Goes All In on AI, Have We Entered the Post-Photography Era? →