Testing ChatGPT Images 2.0 “Research Visual” for Genealogy Infographics

Testing ChatGPT Images 2.0’s “Research Visual” option for genealogy education

Testing ChatGPT Images 2.0 “Research Visual” for Genealogy Infographics

Okay, so what do you do when you’re sick and playing hooky from client work?
Apparently… you test AI image tools on genealogy topics. 😄
A few weeks ago, I noticed a new option inside ChatGPT Images 2.0 called “Research Visual” (complex topic infographic). Naturally, I had to try it.
For my tests, I used genealogy topics and materials I already knew very well, especially my brick wall research content, so I could easily spot what worked, what didn’t, and how accurate the results actually were.
I tested many examples over the last few weeks, but for this blog, I’m only showing the two brick wall examples because they showed the progression and improvements especially well, and of course I can't show them all.

Test #1: Brick Wall Problem-Solving as a System

For the first test, I used my brick wall troubleshooting blog article as the source material, as well as my other notes.
My first reaction?
Very, very cool.
The infographic looked polished, educational, and visually appealing. It took the structure of my article and turned it into something that felt much bigger and more layered than a normal infographic.
The main sections stayed very close to my original article and were largely on point.
But then ChatGPT started doing something interesting…
It began adding its own extra educational sections and mini add-ons to make the infographic feel more complete and visually useful.
Some of those additions were actually excellent:

• Common triggers for name changes
• “When one record fails, try another”
• “Map it out”
• Good research questions
• Productive mindset reminders
• Key resources

Some of them clearly felt influenced by my presentations and previous chats about brick wall research and methodology.
Honestly? Some of the add-ons improved the infographic quite a bit.
But… not everything was correct.
A few sections were close, but not quite there:

• The cM quick guide
• Evidence Analysis / GPS sections
• Sources and further reading

And that last one became the biggest issue.
The infographic kept generating resources and reading lists that looked legitimate, but several were incorrect, blended together, incomplete, or simply made up.
That became a repeating pattern in the early “Research Visual” tests I tried.

ChatGPT Images 2.0 “Research Visual” for Genealogy Infographics- Example 1, Early Test

Test #2: Brick Wall Problem-Solving with Practical Strategies

Fast forward just a couple of weeks later, and the results were noticeably different.
This time:

• Everything was correct
• The workflow was different
• The infographic was cleaner and more focused
• And most importantly… it did NOT add a resources section

I didn’t request that change.
ChatGPT simply left it out this time.
And honestly? That seemed to fix the biggest problem from the earlier tests.
The earlier “Research Visual” infographics kept struggling with the resources and references sections. Once those disappeared, the overall accuracy improved dramatically.
The second version also felt less like a “complex topic research visual”, that it should have been, and more like a traditional infographic.
So while it may have been less visually ambitious than the first test, it was far more reliable overall.
And for genealogy?
Accuracy matters more than fancy visuals.

ChatGPT Images 2.0 “Research Visual” for Genealogy Infographics- Example 2, Improved

My Biggest Takeaways

A few things really stood out to me from these tests:
1. The improvement in just a couple weeks was huge
The difference between May 4 and May 23 was honestly impressive.
2. AI is getting very good at visually organizing complex genealogy concepts
Especially workflows, systems, checklists, and educational-style breakdowns.
3. It still absolutely requires expert review
Some of the incorrect information looked very convincing at first glance.
That’s important.
4. The potential here is enormous
I could easily see tools like this being useful for:

• Educational handouts
• Presentation visuals
• Blog graphics
• Newsletter freebies
• Client education
• Research workflows
• DNA explanations
• Quick-reference guides 

Final Thoughts

Even with the flaws in the early tests, I came away really impressed with this new option.
Watching the improvement happen in real time over only a couple weeks was fascinating.
And honestly?
I think this is just the beginning of where tools like this are heading for genealogy education and visual learning.

More AI and 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 dedicated Genealogy Resources page.