Ethics and Best Practice of AI Use in Genealogy Research
With thanks to Max Kennedy
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming a bigger part of family history research than ever before. It also poses some ethical conundrums to researchers. This set of ethics and best practise has been written with the help of AI and a number of sources listed below.
Overall AI should be a thought of as a tool to help us with our research. Currently, it is not a tool to do the research for us.
At the moment there are two types of AI:
Traditional AI which has been around for a while. It is based on algorithms and is good at pattern recognition. You will have experienced it in spam filters, recommendation systems (e.g. genealogy hints, Facebook, Amazon), and virtual assistants.
Generative AI is the new kid on the block. It is trained and can create content based on its training resources.
You can find further information on the types of AI and its uses in genealogy in these articles on:
Key Ethical Considerations
The Quality of the AI Training Datasets
Today most AI tools are not appropriate for genealogical research as the datasets that are used to train the AI model are not based on genealogical data. This will change as time goes by. Users of the AI tools should question the appropriateness of the AI Tool for use in genealogy by asking the tool providers what genealogy data has been used to build the AI tool.
Bias
AI models are trained on data, and this data can contain biases that may be reflected in the generated results (i.e. garbage in, garbage out). Users should be aware of these biases and consider alternative viewpoints.
AI tools may struggle with understanding complex historical context, cultural and regional nuances and gaps in the historical record.
The Secondary Use of Your Data/Information and Privacy
Does the AI tool use the data you input to train their large language models or not? This data could be sensitive information or potentially private. If it does, it could incorporate your information into the tool and make it discoverable, perhaps in a modified form. For lots of programmes this information is buried very deep in the policies and often hard to find. Some ask first and then apply the rule forever. At the other end, some AI Tools forget all your input in 30 days.
Accuracy
AI can generate false, biased, or incorrect content, sometimes called 'hallucinating'.
AI tools can be helpful for identifying potential matches and transcribing records, but users should always compare it with original sources.
Disclosure
Acknowledging the use of AI enhances trust. It's important to be transparent about the use of AI tools and acknowledge their role in the research process, especially when presenting findings to others.
Source Citations
When AI tools provide information that serves as a clue or social history, a method of citing the source (the AI tool and its input) is needed.
Legal and Contractual Obligations
Adherence to legal and contractual obligations is essential, including contracts, terms of service, intellectual property laws, and data privacy regulations.
Copyright
Currently, AI produced content cannot be copyrighted. However, AI produced content may be derived from copyrighted content and this is subject to copyright restrictions.
Mental Wellbeing
As the use of AI in genealogy is relatively new the full impacts of AI on mental wellness are currently not known. Could you become addicted? How would resurrecting a deceased loved affect your mental health? Users of AI are encouraged to anticipate and be alert to any potential adverse effects.
Māori Data Sovereignty and the Use of AI
While the principles of Māori data sovereignty are well known, the use of Māori data in AI could increase risk, e.g. the potential storing of Māori data offshore.
Environmental Impact
While not part of genealogical research, be aware of the environmental footprint of using AI tools. See Explained: Generative AI’s environmental impact – Adam Zewe, MIT News (17 January 2025).
Best Practices
Verify Information
Always cross-reference AI-generated results with original sources and other reliable information.
Use the Genealogical Proof Standard to ensure any AI generated conclusions meet a high standard.
Do not ask an AI tool to do your research for you. Only you can do the critical thinking required to check the research is correct.
Ask the AI tool for its sources.
Remember that AI tools might 'hallucinate' which is tech speak for 'make things up'.
Use AI as a Tool
AI can assist with research tasks, but it should not replace the critical thinking and analysis of the genealogist.
Be Transparent
Acknowledge the use of AI tools and explain their role in your research findings.
Cite AI as a source when you use it to research a fact.
Check that the words that it has provided are not copied from another source which you should be citing instead.
If you colourise or enhance photographs, ensure this is noted with it. Future generations may not be aware of your editing.
If you produce a video of an ancestor speaking or an AI chatbot of them (called Glassbots), ensure you clearly note the sources of this information. You do not want to inadvertently create a myth or bring in inaccuracies that are treated as fact. See Chatbots of the Dead – Amy Kurzweil and Daniel Story (21 February 2025).
If you use AI tools to write your family history from prompts you have provided, acknowledge this fact.
We should not take credit for what we did not create.
Consider Biases and Tone
Be aware of the potential biases in AI models and seek alternative perspectives.
How would a bankruptcy, suicide, divorce, prison time or other adverse event be interpreted by AI? Would it make the ancestor appear bad or good? How good is your AI tool being neutral?
AI tools will not write the same way you do, so note that the tone of any writing may not be the tone you would use.
Data Security
AI tools may use the information you provide to train itself further.
Do not include information on living people or sensitive information.
Take the time to understand what the AI tool you are using may do with the information.
Educate Yourself
Learn about how the AI tools you are using work and what are their capabilities and limitations.
Stay informed about the capabilities and limitations of AI tools and their ethical implications.
Promote Ethical Practices
Advocate for strong data-privacy standards and engage with research that explores AI's impact on personal identification.
Support non-profits and research organisations that focus on genetic genealogy to help drive the development of more accessible, fair, and transparent AI tools.
Sources and Further Reading
- Google Generative AI to prompt: 'ethics of AI in genealogy research'
- Disclosing Use of AI for Writing Assistance in Genealogy – Nicole Elder Dyer, Family Locket
- A Genealogist’s Guide to Artificial Intelligence – Thomas MacEntee, Family Tree Magazine
- Ask AI: "How Can Artificial Intelligence Help a Genealogist Do Family History Research?" – Randy Seaver, Genea-Musings
- Guidelines for the Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Genealogy – Panel Discussion and document, RootsTech 2025
- Ethical Considerations: Navigating Privacy and AI in Family History – Carole McCulloch, Essential Genealogy
Other Resources on AI
20/05/2025