AI in Genealogy Beyond Research: How I Create Speaking Invites in Seconds

Using AI beyond genealogy research: Creating speaking invites and promotional graphics in seconds with ChatGPT

When most genealogists think about artificial intelligence (AI), they think about genealogy research. AI is often associated with transcribing documents, translating records, analyzing DNA matches, summarizing information, or helping solve brick wall problems.

Although AI can certainly assist with those tasks, I use it for much more than genealogy research.

Today, I spent some time creating promotional images for several of my upcoming genealogy presentations. It reminded me just how much AI has changed the way I create content for business and speaking engagements. What once required multiple programs and a considerable amount of design time can now usually be accomplished in seconds.

​My Journey Creating Speaking Invites with AI

I've been creating genealogy speaking invitations with AI ever since image generation tools first became available. Like many early adopters, I experienced the growing pains of the technology firsthand.

The earliest AI-generated images often required significant editing and sometimes produced some pretty strange results. Text was frequently misspelled, designs could be inconsistent, and it usually took multiple attempts to create something usable.

Over the past few years, however, the technology has improved dramatically. Each new update has brought better image quality, improved layouts, more realistic designs, and much greater control over the final result.

Today, I can usually create a professional-looking speaking invitation in just a few seconds using ChatGPT's image generation capabilities.

Examples

Less than 3 minutes for the batch.

​AI vs. Traditional Design Tools

For many years, I relied heavily on Canva and Adobe Express to create promotional graphics, presentation invitations, website images, and social media content.

I sometimes still use both tools and find them valuable for specific projects. Canva remains useful for certain templates and recurring image series, while Adobe Express offers additional design capabilities when I need more customization.

However, when I need a quick graphic for an upcoming presentation or announcement, AI has become my first choice.

Instead of starting with a blank canvas and manually building a design, I can simply describe what I need and have multiple options generated within seconds. This allows me to focus more on my presentations and less on the design process.

​AI in Genealogy Isn't Just for Research

One of the biggest misconceptions about AI in genealogy is that it is only useful for research.

In reality, AI can assist genealogists in many aspects of their work, whether they are professional genealogists, society volunteers, speakers, bloggers, authors, or family historians.

AI has become a valuable tool not only for discovering family history but also for sharing it with others.​

Other Ways Genealogists Can Use AI

Beyond research, genealogists can use AI to help with:

• Creating presentation invitations and event graphics
• Designing blog images
• Generating social media graphics
• Creating newsletter visuals
• Producing website banners and promotional images
• Brainstorming blog topics and presentation ideas
• Drafting marketing content and announcements
• Creating educational materials and handouts
• Developing visual aids for presentations

Many of these tasks can consume significant amounts of time. AI can help streamline the process and increase productivity.

​The Biggest Benefit: Saving Time

For me, the greatest advantage of using AI for image creation is the time savings.

As genealogists, we already spend countless hours researching records, analyzing evidence, developing presentations, writing reports, creating educational content, and helping others discover their family stories.

The less time I spend creating graphics from scratch, the more time I can devote to serving clients, preparing presentations, writing blog posts, and conducting research.

While AI won't replace creativity or expertise, it can significantly reduce the time required to complete many routine tasks.

​Final Thoughts

AI has become one of the most versatile tools in my genealogy toolbox. While it can certainly assist with family history research, its usefulness extends far beyond records, DNA, and brick wall problems.

Whether I'm creating speaking invitations, website graphics, blog images, or educational materials, AI helps me work more efficiently and focus on the aspects of genealogy I enjoy most.

The next time you think about AI in genealogy, consider looking beyond research applications. You may discover that it can help simplify many other parts of your genealogy journey as well.

How are you using AI in your genealogy work? Are you using it strictly for research, or have you found creative ways to incorporate it into your genealogy projects, presentations, society work, or business?

More AI in Genealogy

Learn about more AI in genealogy updates, tips, and resources (including photo tools), along with other family history and genealogy resources under the AI in Genealogy and Genealogy Resources categories and on my dedictaed Genealogy Resources page.