EP39: 2026 Predictions for Family History AI, Platform Apps, Handwritten Text Recognition, AI-Enhanced Research, AI-Browsers, and so much more!

In the last episode of 2025, Co-hosts Mark Thompson and Steve Little present their predictions for how artificial intelligence will transform genealogy research in 2026. This special episode examines fourteen key trends shaping the future of family history AI.Mark and Steve predict that AI tools will move from enthusiast circles into mainstream genealogy practice, with AI-enhanced apps like NotebookLM becoming more important than the underlying language models that people have focused on for the past three years.They explore how handwritten text recognition will become more accurate and accessible, and that genealogy companies will cautiously integrate new AI features, first focusing on helping us with our research.Timestamps:02:33 Family History AI Goes Mainstream: From Enthusiasts to Everyday Users04:13 Apps Over Models: Why Platform Features Matter More Than LLMs06:17 Reusable Prompting Tools: GPTs, Projects, and Gems Boost Efficiency08:02 AI-Enhanced Research Gains Acceptance Among Serious Genealogists09:53 Handwritten Text Recognition Gets Better, Easier, and Cheaper12:18 Genealogy Companies Take Cautious Approach to Generative AI17:07 AI-Enhanced Browsers Become Standard, Agentic Features Raise Concerns24:25 Voice Interfaces to AI Remain Niche in 202627:36 LLM Vendors Push File and Email Integration for Stickiness31:46 Productivity Tools Embed LLMs Everywhere35:56 The AI Horse Race: Three Leaders Emerge41:15 AI Licensing Deals Change Internet Access Patterns44:34 The AI Bubble Conversation is important to society, but less so to GenealogistsResource Links:The Family History AI Show Academy https://tixoom.app/fhaishowFamily History AI Goes MainstreamWhat Can AI Do for Your Genealogical Research? – James Tanner (Nov 2025) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXmVKy1pUPEFamilySearch Shares Plans for 2025 (Includes AI integration details) https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/familysearch-shares-plans-for-2025Reusable Prompting ToolsCustom GPTs vs. Gemini Gems: Who Wins? - Learn Prompting (Aug 2025) https://learnprompting.org/blog/custom-gpts-vs-gemini-gemsAI-Enhanced ResearchUnlocking Family Histories: How AI Is Breathing New Life into Handwritten Records (South Central APG)https://southcentralapg.org/2025/08/16/unlocking-family-histories-how-ai-is-breathing-new-life-into-handwritten-records/Handwritten Text RecognitionA new Google model is nearly perfect on automated handwriting recognition - Hacker News https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45887262Cautious AI from Genealogy CompaniesAI-Enhanced BrowsersCompliance alert: Do not use AI browsershttps://vinciworks.com/blog/compliance-alert-do-not-use-ai-browsers/Content Integration with ChatbotsGemini vs Copilot: A Quick Comparison Guide (2025) - Tactiqhttps://tactiq.io/learn/gemini-vs-copilotAI in Office Productivity ToolsMicrosoft Copilot in 2025: What's Changed & What's Next | Aldridgehttps://aldridge.com/microsoft-copilot-in-2025-whats-changed-whats-next/Monthly Round Up: New Features in Microsoft 365 Copilot (Dec 2025)https://dynamicscommunities.com/ug/copilot-ug/monthly-round-up-new-features-in-microsoft-365-copilot/The AI Horse RaceThe Best AI in October 2025? We Compared ChatGPT, Claude, Grok, Gemini & Others - FelloAIhttps://felloai.com/the-best-ai-in-october-2025-we-compared-chatgpt-claude-grok-gemini-others/The 2025 AI Coding Models: Comprehensive Guide to the Top 5 Contenders - CodeGPThttps://www.codegpt.co/blog/ai-coding-models-2025-comprehensive-guideAI Licensing DealsContent Licensing Agreements Will Concentrate Markets Without Standardized Access - ProMarket(Nov 2025) https://www.promarket.org/2025/11/20/content-licensing-agreements-will-concentrate-markets-without-standardized-access/The False Hope of Content Licensing at Internet Scale - ProMarkethttps://www.promarket.org/2025/11/19/the-false-hope-of-content-licensing-at-internet-scale/The AI Bubble ConversationThe AI boom will turn to bust in 2026https://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-ai-boom-will-turn-to-bust-next-year-says-this-forecaster-who-offers-his-trade-of-the-year-9c2a2332OUTLOOK 2026 Promise and Pressure - J.P. Morgan (Discusses AI market stability vs bubble risks)https://www.jpmorgan.com/content/dam/jpmorgan/documents/wealth-management/outlook-2026.pdfTags:Artificial Intelligence, Genealogy, Family History, AI Predictions, NotebookLM, HTR, AI Browsers, ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Anthropic Claude