EP40: AI Models Leap Forward, Research Like a Pro Meets AI, FamilySearch Simple Search, Ancestry AI Stories, Anthropic vs. Uncle Sam

Co-hosts Mark Thompson and Steve Little examine the major AI model upgrades released over the winter, comparing Anthropic's Opus 4.6, OpenAI's GPT 5.4, and Google's Gemini 3.1 Pro and their benefits for genealogists.

In a special interview recorded at RootsTech 2026, they sit down with Diana Elder and Nicole Dyer of Family Locket to explore how the Research Like a Pro methodology integrates with AI tools for transcription, locality research, and DNA analysis.

In RapidFire, they cover FamilySearch's new Simple Search interface for Full-Text Search, Ancestry's AI Stories feature for understanding historical records, and the escalating conflict between Anthropic and the U.S. federal government over the use of AI by the military.

Timestamps:

In the News:

03:12 New AI Model Releases: Opus 4.6, GPT 5.4, and Gemini 3.1 Pro Transform Genealogy

Interview

19:40 Interview with Diana Elder and Nicole Dyer: Research Like a Pro Meets AI

RapidFire:

44:05 FamilySearch Simple Search: Natural Language Meets Full-Text Search

48:24 Ancestry AI Stories: Understanding Historical Records with AI

53:00 Anthropic vs. U.S. Government: AI Ethics Battle Elevates Claude

Resource Links:

New Models

Introducing GPT5.4

https://openai.com/index/introducing-gpt-5-4/

Anthropic releases Opus 4.6

https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/05/anthropic-releases-opus-4-6-with-new-agent-teams/

Anthropic releases Claude Sonnet 4.6

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/17/anthropic-ai-claude-sonnet-4-6-default-free-pro.html

Gemini 3.1 Pro

https://blog.google/innovation-and-ai/models-and-research/gemini-models/gemini-3-1-pro/

Interview with Diana Elder and Nicole Dyer from Family Locket

About Diana Elder and Nicole Elder Dyer

https://familylocket.com/about-us/

Simple Search for Family Search Full Text Search

How do I use Fulltext Search?

https://www.familysearch.org/en/help/helpcenter/article/how-do-i-use-fulltext-search

Ancestry AI Stories

Ancestry Brings Family History to Life with New AI-Powered Stories

https://www.ancestry.ca/corporate/blog/ancestry-brings-family-history-to-life-with-new-ai-powered-stori

Anthropic and the U.S. Government

Trump orders government to stop using Anthropic in battle over AI use

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn48jj3y8ezo

Anthropic CEO responds to Trump order, Pentagon clash

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPTNHrq_4LU

Tags:

Artificial Intelligence, Genealogy, Family History, AI Models, RootsTech, FamilySearch, Ancestry, Claude, ChatGPT, Google Gemini