Should Good Genealogists Use AI to Write Research Reports?

The rise of AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini has many genealogists asking tough questions not just about what these tools can do but also about whether we should use them at all.

When it comes to writing genealogy research reports, the line between efficiency and ethical responsibility isn’t always clear. If AI can summarize findings, reword objectives, or suggest next steps, is using it a helpful shortcut… or a risky crutch?

As someone who values research accuracy, transparency, and responsible storytelling, I've tested how AI fits into my process. I've found that it can save a lot of time—but only if I remain the researcher, the analyst, and the final voice in every report I write.

Let's ask the big question: Should good genealogists use AI to help write research reports?

It Depends on What You Mean by "Use"

The word “use” matters. If we’re talking about using AI to:

• Generate background summaries from a timeline,

• Rephrase a research question for clarity.

• Or help break writer’s block in the summary section.

…then yes, there’s room for that. These are practical, draft-level tasks where the genealogist is still doing the thinking, and AI is acting more like a writing assistant.

But if we’re talking about letting AI analyze sources, form conclusions, or generate citations from scratch?

That’s a different story.

AI doesn’t understand evidence the way we do. It doesn’t reason, weigh conflicting details, or consider context. It generates text—period.

That means any conclusions or citations it creates must be treated with skepticism and revised thoroughly (if not discarded altogether).

The Ethical Question: Who’s Doing the Thinking?

One of the core principles of genealogy is reasonably exhaustive research, followed by sound analysis and interpretation. These are skills we develop through experience, education, and thoughtful practice—not skills we can outsource to a language model.

So when we use AI to phrase what we’ve already figured out, that’s one thing.

But when we use AI to generate the final conclusion, or pretend it did the writing on its own? We risk undermining the trustworthiness of our work - potentially misleads anyone who reads or reviews it.

Credentialing? Proceed with Caution.

If you’re working toward accreditation or certification, the rules get stricter.

Organizations like ICAPGen and BCG have standards about how applicants should author reports, and many reviewers explicitly prohibit the use of AI-generated content. Even if that policy isn't formally published yet, using AI to draft credentialing work without disclosure is risky and could reflect poorly on your application.

That doesn’t mean you can’t use AI at all. It just means that you’ll need to:

• Disclose it if required

• Revise heavily to reflect your voice

• Ensure all analysis comes from you, not the model

If you're writing for yourself or your family and not for professional review, your flexibility increases. But your responsibility to be accurate and honest doesn’t change.

AI Is a Tool—Not a Researcher

At the end of the day, AI is a tool. A good genealogist knows how to use tools wisely—when to lean on them, cross-check their output, and set them aside.

You don't lose credibility by using AI to speed up repetitive writing tasks. You lose it when you stop thinking critically and turn your judgment over to a machine.

If you’ve done the research and simply need help wording what you already know, AI can be a time-saver. But your responsibility as a genealogist—a good one—is to ensure that what gets published, shared, or submitted truly represents your own conclusions.

A Thoughtful Way Forward

If you’re still figuring out how AI fits into your genealogy workflow, you’re not alone. I’m exploring it, too—and I believe we can use these tools ethically, transparently, and responsibly.

writing—what it can help with, where it saves time, and how to structure your prompts—I've written a full companion post to help you try it.

👉 Read: Use AI to Speed Up Genealogy Research Report Writing Without Sacrificing Quality

And to make it even easier, I’ve created a free AI Report Writing Starter Kit with:

• Plug-and-play AI prompts

• A checklist of when to use AI (and when to avoid it)

• A customizable research report template

• 🎁 Click here to get the Starter Kit

Final Thoughts for Genealogists Using AI

So, should good genealogists use AI to write research reports?

Only if we stay in the driver’s seat. Only if we use it as a tool, not a crutch. Only if the final work reflects our own reasoning, not just good phrasing.

Because good genealogists don’t just document the past—we also protect it. And how we choose to tell these stories matters just as much as the stories themselves.

More Articles You Might Enjoy:

• Writing Your Way to Becoming a Better Genealogist (Video)

• Genealogy Research Report Formatting With Google Docs (Video)

• Use AI to Speed Up Genealogy Research Report Writing Without Sacrificing Quality

• 3 Things to Do Immediately After Finding a Genealogy Source

• Why You Don’t Need a Research Log to Be a Great Genealogist

• The Best Genealogy Research Log Tool Ever! - Goldie May

• DNA Evidence in Genealogy: How to Cite It and Why It Matters