AI terms you need to know

Confused by Artificial Intelligence? You’re not alone. This short guide will help you understand some of the new technologies and what they mean for you.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Scientists have been trying to build computers capable of ‘thinking’ for themselves for many years – and we are finally reaching a point where these systems are capable of closely mimicking human behaviour. Artificial Intelligence is the technology that powers these systems, performing human-like activities, but they tend to be much faster.

AI is used for image recognition, medical diagnostics, crime detection and a whole host of other activities. Computers are very good at detecting and analysing patterns, and completing tasks automatically based on what they find.

Machine Learning (ML)

Artificial Intelligence systems don’t just happen – first they need to be ‘trained’. During machine learning, the AI is fed with data to help improve its pattern detection capabilities. So an AI designed to detect cancer will first be trained with diagnostic images that show cancerous and  healthy cells, allowing the program to learn the difference between the two.

All AI systems undergo the machine learning process to refine and improve accuracy – and to make them more useful in real life. You can learn more about machine learning here.

Generative AI

The latest generation of AI – Generative AI – takes computing to a new level. More than simply spotting and analysing patterns, Generative AI is capable of creating new content based on what it has learned.

ChatGPT, the smart chatbot which has taken the world by storm is an example of Generative AI. After being trained on millions of articles and datasets, ChatGPT can write its own text. As well as answering basic questions, the system can automatically write its own articles, computer code, letters, poems and songs – you just tell it what to do. And the DALL-E tool can do the same with images.

Natural Language Processing (NLP)

Have you ever listened to a recording of a conversation and noticed that people don’t talk in properly ordered sentences. And that a lot of what they mean is conveyed in how they say the words, not the actual words themselves? These nuances are perfectly natural to humans – but very difficult for computers to understand.

Natural Language Processing is an AI specialism that allows computers to better understand natural speech – the way that humans really talk. NLP technology is used by personal digital assistants like Siri, Alexa and Google Now, to understand what we are actually saying to them.

AI Everywhere

Artificial intelligence has become an extremely important technology because it allows us all to do more, more effectively. Many of the apps we use on our smartphones already use AI in some way for instance. AI will also allow organizations to provide personalized products and services that better meet our needs – like Panda Dome.

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