Traditional vs. AI based Genealogical Research

 When I completed my Master's Thesis at the University of Utah in 1970, the university library still had a paper-based card catalog. https://collections.lib.utah.edu/details?id=2286246&hl=James%20l.%20tanner

It took me months to write and type the 39 page thesis. Jump to today. I can research and write hundreds of pages in that same time. Doing research with a paper card catalog was (and still is) ponderously tedious. There wasn't any part of research back then that was not tedious, especially reading rolls of microfilm. 

 It could take me an entire day to read one roll of microfilm. I can now search the entire collection of processed records in a few minutes using the FamilySearch.org Full-text search. 

Now, what is the point? I work in a modern completely computerized library. With the advent of AI, I can do as much research in an hour as it would have taken me months. However, there are still people coming to the library with mountains of paper in rolling suitcases. They tediously copy records out by hand and write reams of paper notes. They ignore full-text search and barely know that Ancestry.com and MyHeritage.com exist. No matter how much I write, no matter how many videos I make, and no matter how much time I spend teaching people about how to use online resources (including AI) there always seems to be an endless number of people who are doing genealogy the same way I did it more than fifty years ago. 

Now, let's not get all huffy and start blaming old people. I work with a lot of students at the university who are almost at the same level of lack of skills that I see in some older people. Granted I also work with some amazingly expert researchers and I also meet some amazing students, but it makes me sad to talk to people who not only lack the skills but are not interested in learning. 

Right now, with Google Gemini and Gemini Guided Learning, you or anyone can learn anything for what is essentially free. All you need is to expend time and effort. Here is how the free version works.

General Free Users: You can access Guided Learning mode through the "Tools" or "Activities" menu in the Gemini app or web interface. It allows you to start a learning session on almost any topic (e.g., "Teach me how to use the new features in FamilySearch").

Student Offer: There is a specific promotion running through April 30, 2026, where college students (18+) can get a free 12-month Google AI Pro plan. This version includes "expanded" access to Guided Learning, higher usage limits for the more advanced Gemini 3.1 Pro model, and deeper research capabilities.

Limitations: While the feature is free, the "intensity" is capped. Free users primarily use the Gemini 3 Flash model for these sessions. If you are doing deep, multi-hour research or complex technical analysis (similar to the dictionary work you did at the U of U), you might hit "cooldown" periods where the AI reverts to a more basic response mode until your daily quota resets.

What is your excuse?