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 Users

04:13 Apps Over Models: Why Platform Features Matter More Than LLMs

06:17 Reusable Prompting Tools: GPTs, Projects, and Gems Boost Efficiency

08:02 AI-Enhanced Research Gains Acceptance Among Serious Genealogists

09:53 Handwritten Text Recognition Gets Better, Easier, and Cheaper

12:18 Genealogy Companies Take Cautious Approach to Generative AI

17:07 AI-Enhanced Browsers Become Standard, Agentic Features Raise Concerns

24:25 Voice Interfaces to AI Remain Niche in 2026

27:36 LLM Vendors Push File and Email Integration for Stickiness