Reflections on the Summer Informal Meetings 2023

This was the 3rd season of these sessions and, as before, they were conducted using Zoom.
There were a couple of instances in which the initial idea of the sessions evolved, usefully so, I thought.

First session: John Davnall introduced data showing how widely the strengths of DNA matches as revealed in Ancestry DNA tests varied with the distances of the matching family relationships. The broad area of discussion was picked up again after the fourth session (see below).

Second session: Subrahmaniam Krishnan-Harihara (SKH) gave us a presentation on labour market impacts of Artificial Intelligence. A hot topic which engaged members to such an extent that the last session of the season suddenly became occupied.

Third session: Celia Cropper introduced a discussion prompted by the publication of a report commissioned by the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society into its historical links with the Atlantic slave trade. Membership of the Lit and Phil overlapped with our own (as it still does) so the report could have some relevance for MSS.

Fourth session: SKH began the session by reference back to the second session and then Krystyna Ambroch presented items where AI might have positive applications. The wide ranging discussion allowed the season to finish on a happy note. Several members stayed on-line after the formal close of the session to consider if AI could contribute to the sorting out of DNA matches and the underlying genealogies.

My thanks again to the brave souls who stepped forward and my usual warning that I am on
the prowl for volunteers for next summer’s four slots.

John Davnall