Understanding Generative AI

Generative AI is a type of artificial intelligence. It can create things like stories, music, pictures, and videos. 

To use a generative AI, you usually just have to tell it what you want. This is called "prompting." An AI can interpret your prompt and generate a response based on the information in its datasets.

Generative AI systems are trained on large collections of information, usually gathered from the internet. This includes words, pictures, audio, and video. Then, they analyze that data to find patterns that humans might miss. This allows them to generate things like blog posts, graphic design assets, and even songs.

For example: you could also ask an image generation AI for a picture of a cat in a boat. AI tools made for image generation analyze thousands of pictures of boats and cats. They can use that information to produce an image that combines the two concepts according to your specifications.

Generative AI offers exciting possibilities, but we should approach it with a sense of responsibility. Since it learns from the internet, it might generate biased, incorrect, or inapprorpriate outputs. Some generative AI systems use content that belongs to or was created by someone else. In many places, copyright law and policy on this use of AI is still in flux.

Be aware of the ethical implications of AI-generated content. Strive to use it in a way that respects the rights and works of others. Evaluate AI outputs for biases or inaccuracies. Stay informed, and adjust how you use these tools accordingly.

For more information, check out this video:

Generative AI Explained by Common Craft