Chatbot reunites man with half-sister after decades apart

A Canadian man used ChatGPT to reunite with a half-sister in the UK after decades of separation, solving a family mystery that had persisted for more than 50 years. Avtar Singh, 66, of Abbotsford, British Columbia, and Nicci, his half-sister in England, connected through a series of AI-generated searches after Avtar decided to try the chatbot as a last resort.

Avtar was born in India and raised by his grandmother until age nine, when he moved to Canada to live with his father, mother, and younger brother. He later learned that his mother had given birth to a daughter in the UK before his parents married, but the family lost contact with her. For years, Avtar searched for his half-sister using traditional methods—genealogy websites, social media, and public records—but found nothing.

In early 2024, Avtar turned to ChatGPT. He fed the AI all the details he knew: his mother’s name, possible locations in England, and approximate dates. The chatbot generated a list of potential matches and suggested search strategies. Within weeks, Avtar found a woman who matched the description and reached out. DNA tests later confirmed they were half-siblings.

The reunion matters because it highlights a novel use of AI for genealogical research, especially when conventional records are incomplete. Avtar said he had tried everything else before turning to ChatGPT. The siblings have now spoken by video call and plan to meet in person. Avtar hopes their story encourages others to use AI tools for family searches, though he cautions that results depend on the accuracy of the information provided.