Search Engine vs. AI Searching Class 4.2.26

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 Search Engine vs. AI Searching Class



Class Overview

  • This month's topic is research and information literacy, with a focus on developing critical thinking for the digital age
  • Goals include learning effective search techniques and evaluating credibility of information from search engines and AI
  • Family history/genealogy used as a practical example for demonstrating search techniques
  • Next week's class will dive deep into genealogy-specific resources and research methods

Changing Your Default Search Engine

  • The default search engine is linked to the browser's address bar at the top
  • To change: Go to Settings → Search Engine → Select preferred option (Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, etc.)
  • Can search directly from the address bar without visiting the search engine's website
  • This setting can be changed on phones as well

Google Search and AI Overview Feature

  • Google now includes "AI Overview" results that summarize information from multiple sources
  • AI Overview appears in addition to traditional website links
  • The AI summary consolidates information so users don't need to click through multiple websites
  • Clicking "expand" shows more details and the source websites used for the summary
  • Traditional search results still appear below the AI overview

Understanding Search Results and Sources

  • First search results are typically sponsored ads - be aware of paid placements
  • Multiple sponsored results often appear before organic search results
  • Google AI Overview pulls information from various sources including Reddit, YouTube, government sites, and commercial websites
  • Always check the date of information sources - some Reddit posts may be years old

Reddit as an Information Source

  • Reddit is a discussion forum where users ask questions and other users respond
  • Responses are user-generated and not always verified
  • Can be valuable because many people have asked the same questions
  • Important to check when posts were created to ensure information is current
  • Reddit covers virtually every topic

Managing Browser Tabs

  • Tabs appear at the top of the browser window
  • Click the X on a tab to close it - browser returns to the tab on the left
  • Opening multiple tabs is essential for research to compare sources and save information
  • Tab management is a fundamental computer skill related to multitasking

Using AI Tools (Gemini, ChatGPT)

  • Demonstrated using Gemini's free "fast" version
  • AI tools provide more interactive, conversational search experience compared to Google
  • AI asks follow-up questions to help narrow down research
  • AI remembers context of the conversation, so follow-up questions don't need full context
  • Results are presented in a more digestible format with platforms, steps, and suggestions

Key Differences: Google vs AI Search

  • Google provides website links with brief descriptions
  • AI tools provide summarized information with interactive follow-up questions
  • AI is more conversational and naturally guides users through research
  • AI can read and search content from different sources including YouTube transcripts

Important Warnings About AI

  • AI results are not always 100% accurate - always verify information
  • AI can keep users in an endless loop of questions, similar to gambling's dopamine effect
  • AI rarely admits when it can't find information and may go off on tangents
  • Users must tell AI when it's going in wrong direction
  • Both ChatGPT and Gemini include disclaimers about potential mistakes

Understanding Cookies

  • Cookies are small files that track user behavior on websites
  • EU regulations require all websites to display cookie consent notices
  • Good cookies: Help websites understand their users, navigation patterns, and improve design
  • Bad cookies: Track users across sites for advertising and third-party marketing
  • Options when encountering cookie notices: Accept all, necessary only, or manage individual preferences
  • Cookies track page views, time spent on pages, and user navigation patterns
  • Clearing all cookies removes saved preferences and logins for all websites

Bookmarking Important Pages

  • Click the star icon in the address bar or use Command+D (Mac) / Control+D (PC)
  • Can rename bookmarks and organize them into folders
  • Creating folders (like "genealogy") helps organize research by topic
  • Essential for saving pages you might want to reference later

Genealogy Search Example

DeepSeek for International Research

  • DeepSeek is China's AI tool that can read and search Chinese language sources
  • Available at deepseek.com
  • Note: DeepSeek is blocked on SFT Internet but works on cellular networks
  • Can toggle between Chinese and English language (one at a time, not both)
  • Useful for finding government information in non-English languages

Using AI Source Citations

  • AI tools show sources for their information - always review these
  • Even if AI does poor research, sources can lead to valuable starting points
  • Look for contact information on source websites - librarians and specialists often have additional resources
  • Government sites, libraries, and archives are generally more reliable than commercial or user-generated sources

General Research Tips

  • All internet content is user-generated to some extent - mistakes exist everywhere
  • Historical records often contain spelling errors and variations (names spelled multiple ways)
  • Always check sources and do due diligence
  • YouTube videos can be summarized using Gemini feature (star icon)
  • National Archives (NARA) has extensive US-based records including Ellis Island information

Next Week's Class

  • Will focus entirely on genealogy research resources and techniques
  • Will explore NARA, San Francisco Public Library, and other genealogy-specific resources
  • Students encouraged to bring their own genealogy resources to share

Action Items & Next Steps

  • [ ] Students to practice searching on both Google and AI tools before next week
  • [ ] Students with genealogy research resources to bring them to share next week
  • [ ] Jason Dare to prepare materials on NARA and San Francisco Public Library resources for next week's genealogy session

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