Interested in a custom course on AI prompting for you and your team?

Boost productivity and close the skills gap with a tailored learning experience.

What is Generative AI?

Generative AI refers to artificial intelligence models that can generate new content or data that is similar to but not identical to the data on which they were trained. 

Generative AI has a wide range of applications, including AI-generated content (like social media captions or poetry), images, podcasts, and even code. Unlike conditional AI models, which predict or classify input data within fixed categories, generative models can create novel outputs. Generative AI has significant implications for content creation, data augmentation, and even synthetic data generation for training other AI models. 

Key technologies underpinning generative AI include Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), Variational Autoencoders (VAEs), and transformer models like GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer). 

How does generative AI differ from other types of AI?

The primary distinction between generative AI and other AI is it can create entirely new content like text, images, audio, and video, rather than just analyzing existing data. Traditional AI systems are designed to perform specific tasks like classification, prediction, or pattern recognition based on predefined rules and training data. 

Here are more differences: 

  • Data-driven approach: Generative AI takes a data-driven approach, learning patterns and relationships from large datasets using techniques like deep neural networks. It does not rely on explicit rules programmed by humans. Instead, it generates new outputs by capturing the underlying distributions in the training data.
  • Unsupervised learning: While traditional AI often employs supervised learning on labeled data, generative AI excels at unsupervised learning, finding patterns in unlabeled data without human guidance. This allows it to generate novel content resembling the training data.
  • Generative vs discriminative models: Traditional AI typically uses discriminative models that learn to classify inputs into predefined categories. Generative AI uses generative models that learn the probability distribution of the data to generate new samples similar to the training data.
  • Creativity and adaptability: Generative AI exhibits creativity by producing original content and can adapt to different data distributions, while traditional AI follows predefined rules and cannot generate truly novel outputs or adapt without retraining.
ai-terms

What is prompting in AI?

Prompting in AI refers to the process of providing an artificial intelligence model, especially those based on NLPs with a specific query or instruction to generate a desired output. A prompt can be a question, a statement, a set of instructions, or even a piece of text intended to guide or influence the AI towards producing relevant, accurate, and contextually appropriate responses. The effectiveness of prompting is crucial in tasks such as content generation, brainstorming ideas, data analysis, and problem-solving.

What is prompt engineering?

Prompt engineering is what goes on behind the scenes - the art of designing instructions for AI models, like ChatGPT, Gemini AI, or Perplexity AI, to get the specific outputs you desire. Prompt engineering plays a vital role in tuning LLMs for specific use cases, using zero-shot learning examples combined with particular datasets to enhance the language model performance. This technique combines elements of logic, coding, art, and special modifiers to guide AI models in generating desired outputs, making it essential for creating better AI-powered tools and improving results from existing generative AI tools.

Learn more: Everything you need to know about learning AI prompting 

Insights: Optimize the prompting process

  • Start with well-defined tasks that align with the LLM's strengths.
  • Be prepared to iterate and refine your prompts based on the LLM's initial responses.
  • Consider using a combination of prompting techniques (e.g., zero-shot for quick generation, iterative for complex tasks) depending on your needs.
ai-terms

What are GANs (Generative Adversarial Networks)?

Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) is a type of AI algorithm used to create new data that resembles the data they were trained on. 

Introduced by Ian Goodfellow and his colleagues in 2014, they consist of two main components - a generator that creates data, and a discriminator that tries to tell if the data is real or made up by the generator. 

These two parts are trained together to compete against one another, where the generator tries to get better at making realistic data and the discriminator tries to get better at spotting fake data. Over time, this process helps the generator produce compelling data, such as images, videos, or text, that can be difficult to distinguish from real ones.

What are some of the real-world applications of GANs?

GANs are being used extensively in the creation of virtual influencers like Lil Miquela and Aitana Lopez

Here are some examples of real-world applications of Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs):

  • Image and video synthesis: GANs have been extensively used for generating realistic images of faces, objects, landscapes, and videos, which find applications in art, advertising, video game development, and more.
  • Style transfer: GANs can perform style transfer by applying the style of one image to another, allowing for artistic or practical purposes like creating new works of art or fashion designs.
  • Text-to-image generation: GANs can be employed to generate images from textual descriptions, enabling applications in areas like content creation, design automation, and more.
  • Face aging: GANs can predict how individuals might look in the future by simulating the aging process, offering insights into facial transformations over time.
  • Video prediction: GANs can predict future frames in a video sequence, aiding in video editing, surveillance, and forecasting applications. 
ai-terms

What is a GPT (Generative Pre-Trained Transformer)?

GPT or Generative Pre-trained Transformer, is a powerful type of large language model that can generate text like poems or code and respond in natural language. These models are trained on massive amounts of text data before they are used, allowing them to “contextually understand” complex connections between words and ideas. Although GPT can't truly understand the meaning behind the words it generates, GPT models, including GPT-3, have been widely used in processing tasks like writing, translating languages, summarizing information, and even coding - making it a versatile tool with a wide range of applications.

What is a GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer)?

What are the advantages of using GPT over other language models like Gemini, Perplexity, Claude, Llama, and more?

GPT is a language model developed by OpenAI that can generate human-like text based on the input it receives. It has several advantages over other language models in terms of generating creative, detailed responses, and contextual understanding:

  • Scale of training data: GPT models are trained on massive amounts of text data, often scraped from the internet. This data can include books, articles, code, and even conversations, giving them a broad understanding of language patterns.
  • Focus on generative tasks: GPT excels at generating different creative text formats, like poems, code, scripts, musical pieces, emails, and letters. While other models might analyze or answer questions about text, GPT focuses on producing new text content.
  • Transformer architecture: Unlike simpler models that process text sequentially, GPT uses a Transformer architecture. This allows it to analyze all parts of a sentence simultaneously, leading to better comprehension and more natural language generation.

What are transformers in AI?

In the world of AI, transformers are a powerful type of deep learning model that works particularly well with sequential data, like sentences in a conversation. What makes them stand out is their ability to pay close attention to specific parts of the data that are crucial for understanding the whole thing.

Introduced in the paper "Attention is All You Need" in 2017, transformers rely on a mechanism called "attention" to understand the relative importance of different parts of the input data. This "attention" allows them to excel at language tasks like translation, article summarization, and question answering, surpassing older technologies that power many recent advancements in AI for reading and writing text.

ai-terms

What are Large Language Models (LLMs)?

Large Language Models (LLMs) are advanced artificial intelligence systems designed to understand, generate, and respond in natural language at a large scale. These models are trained on extensive datasets comprising a wide variety of text from the internet, including books, articles, and websites, enabling them to grasp the nuances, context, and complexities of natural language. LLMs like OpenAI's GPT series or Google’s Gemini use deep learning techniques, particularly transformer architecture, to process and generate text. 

They can perform a multitude of language-based tasks, such as translation, summarization, and content creation, with a level of proficiency that often resembles human-like understanding and articulation. The "large" in their name not only refers to the vast amount of data they are trained on but also their size in terms of the number of parameters, with some models containing billions or even trillions of parameters.

Important: Remember this about LLMs

    LLMs are still under development, and their outputs can sometimes be inaccurate or biased. Critical thinking and verification are crucial when using LLM outputs.

ai-terms

What is ChatGPT?

Launched on November 30, 2022, ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence model developed by OpenAI. It is designed to understand queries and generate natural language responses. As a variant of the GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) series, it is specifically optimized for conversational interactions. The model is trained on a diverse range of parameters to continually improve through iterations and feedback, adapting to provide more accurate and contextually relevant responses. Parameters are the numerical values that determine how a neural network processes the query and generates the output. The higher the parameter value, the more accurate its response will be and the more data it can handle.

Parameter Alert: The GPT-4 model of ChatGPT is trained on 1.76 trillion parameters.

How is ChatGPT different from Gemini AI and Perplexity AI? 

ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity AI are all AI-powered chatbots that can answer questions, engage in human-like conversations, and generate various types of content. However, they have some differences in their features, strengths, and weaknesses.

Perplexity AI is a tool that excels in deep research and is useful for exploring complex topics. It is often used by professionals and researchers for its ability to provide comprehensive information on a wide range of subjects.

Gemini is a chatbot known for its reasoning capabilities. It is often used for its ability to provide accurate and reliable information on a wide range of topics.

Finally, ChatGPT is popular for its creative work capabilities. It is often used for generating creative content such as articles, social media posts, essays, emails, and code. Moreover, it can engage in human-like conversations, providing contextual information.

Read this Medium article to learn how to choose a language model for your requirements. 

They can perform a multitude of language-based tasks, such as translation, summarization, and content creation, with a level of proficiency that often resembles human-like understanding and articulation. The "large" in their name not only refers to the vast amount of data they are trained on but also their size in terms of the number of parameters, with some models containing billions or even trillions of parameters.

Insights: Optimize interactions with ChatGPT

  • Play to its strengths:
    • Focus on using ChatGPT for tasks where it excels, such as:
    • Creative writing - Generate story ideas, poems, scripts, musical pieces, etc.
    • Brainstorming - Spark new ideas and explore different creative directions for projects.
    • Informal communication - Craft engaging social media posts, and emails, or have casual conversations.
  • Use conversational style: Frame your prompts as natural language questions or instructions to encourage a more conversational and engaging interaction with ChatGPT.
  • Understand its limitations: ChatGPT might struggle with tasks requiring real-world understanding or common sense. It excels at processing and generating text based on its training data, but it may not possess true common-sense reasoning abilities.
  • Explore its advanced features: ChatGPT offers features like access to different GPT versions (e.g., GPT-3.5 vs. GPT-4), GPT Builder, and the ability to interact with images. Explore these features to see if they enhance your experience.

ai-terms

What is Gemini AI?

Gemini AI is a powerful artificial intelligence model developed by Google that can understand text, images, videos, and audio. It is a model capable of completing complex tasks in various areas like math, physics, and programming. Gemini AI consists of three different models: Gemini Nano, Gemini Pro, and Gemini Ultra, each designed for specific tasks and levels of complexity. This advanced AI model is expected to revolutionize how businesses operate and how employees work by enhancing productivity, efficiency, and overall performance.

Insights: Leverage Gemini AI's strengths

  • Information retrieval: Gemini AI excels at retrieving information from the vast amount of data it has been trained on. This makes it a valuable tool for research, summarizing complex topics, and finding factual answers to your questions.
  • Multilingual communication: Given its access to Google Translate, Gemini has superior multilingual capabilities and can generate outputs in various languages.

ai-terms

What is Perplexity AI?

Perplexity AI is a conversational search engine launched in 2022, offering natural language responses to queries with inline citations. It operates on a freemium model, combining GPT-3.5 and a standalone large model in the free version, while the paid version, Perplexity Pro, includes access to advanced models like GPT-4 and Claude 3. 

Founded by Andy Konwinski, Denis Yarats, Johnny Ho, and Aravind Srinivas, Perplexity AI has secured funding from investors like Jeff Bezos, Nvidia, and Databricks. The platform provides personalized search results and query refinement capability with its Focus feature. Available on iOS and Android, Perplexity AI enhances information discovery through natural language processing and advanced search capabilities.

Learn more: Perplexity AI vs ChatGPT - Which tool to choose

Insights: Know this about Perplexity AI

  • Research strength:Perplexity AI shines for deep dives. Inline citations alongside conversational search empower users to explore complex topics, verify sources, and ensure information credibility. This makes it valuable for researchers and in-depth learners.
  • Evolving landscape: Perplexity AI leverages cutting-edge models (e.g., GPT-4, Claude 3). As the field progresses, they may integrate models specifically designed to minimize bias. This could position Perplexity AI as a leader in providing trustworthy and reliable information through its search engine.
ai-terms

What is deep learning in AI?

Deep learning is a subset of machine learning in AI that mimics the workings of the human brain in processing data and creating patterns for use in decision-making. It's called "deep" because it makes use of deep neural networks with many layers. These layers are composed of nodes or neurons that process information and pass it on to other nodes in the network, much like the human brain processes and transmits information through neurons.


Deep learning models can automatically learn and improve from experience without being explicitly programmed with specific rules. They are particularly good at recognizing patterns in unstructured data, such as images, sound, text, or video. This capability has led to significant advancements in various fields, including speech recognition, image recognition, natural language processing, etc. Deep learning requires large amounts of data and computational power to train the models, leveraging advances in hardware and data storage technologies to achieve high levels of accuracy.

ai-terms

What is machine learning (ML)?

Machine Learning (ML) is a subset of artificial intelligence that allows computers to learn and improve from experience without being explicitly programmed for specific tasks. It involves algorithms and statistical models that enable machines to analyze and interpret data, identify patterns, and make decisions with minimal human intervention.


ML is used across various applications, including predictive analytics, speech recognition, image recognition, and recommendation systems. It operates on the principle that systems can learn from data, identify patterns, and make decisions with increasing accuracy over time. 

Important notes on ML:

  • Data is crucial: The success of ML models heavily relies on the quality and quantity of data they are trained on. Access to large, clean, and diverse datasets is crucial for achieving optimal performance.
  • Not a replacement for human expertise: ML excels at specific tasks but shouldn't be seen as a complete replacement for human expertise. Human judgment and critical thinking are still essential for decision-making, particularly in areas with ethical implications.

ai-terms

What is a neural network in AI?

A neural network is a system designed to mimic how the human brain learns and processes information. It has layers of nodes, or "neurons," which are interconnected and work together to solve complex problems. 

A neuron processes a received query based on its internal state and the rules that have been programmed by researchers. The output is then transmitted to the next layer of neurons. Neural networks are trained on large sets of data, enabling the network to recognize patterns, make predictions, and solve problems in areas such as image and speech recognition, natural language processing, and decision-making. The complexity and capabilities of a neural network can vary widely, from simple networks with a few neurons to deep neural networks with many layers and millions of neurons.

Insights: One more thing about neural network

There are various types of neural networks, each with its own strengths and applications. Some common ones include:

  • Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs): Excel at image recognition and classification.
  • Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs): Well-suited for processing sequential data like text or speech.

ai-terms

What is Natural Language Processing (NLP)?

Natural Language Processing (NLP) is a branch of AI that focuses on the interaction between computers and humans. The goal of NLP is to enable computers to understand, interpret, and generate natural language in a valuable way. This involves a range of tasks, including translation between languages, sentiment analysis, speech recognition, and responding to queries. NLP combines computational linguistics — rule-based modeling of human language — with statistical, machine learning, and deep learning models. 

These technologies allow computers to process and analyze large amounts of natural language data, enabling applications like virtual assistants, chatbots, and automated translation services. NLP faces challenges such as understanding context, sarcasm, and nuanced meanings, but advances in AI and machine learning continue to improve its effectiveness, contextual understanding, and accuracy.

Insights: More real-world applications of NLP

    NLP has a vast array of real-world applications beyond virtual assistants and translation services. Examples include text summarization, social listening, AI content generation, content analysis, and spam filtering.

ai-terms

Words to use when prompting

Landing Page Glossary
For concise and specific prompts Terms for tone Action verbs
Specific Friendly Analyze
Concise Professional Summarize
Contextual Casual Compare
Purposeful Formal Contrast
Structured Enthusiastic Describe
Unambiguous Empathetic Craft
Relevant Authoritative Generate
Directive Informative Explain
Inquisitive Playful Predict
Creative Sincere Recommend
Descriptive Curious Interpret
Categorical Respectful Evaluate
Temporal Optimistic Illustrate
Quantitative Humorous Outline
Ethical Inspirational Assess
Respectful Analytical Elaborate
Inclusive Conciliatory Critique
Objective Persuasive Develop
Clarifying Inquisitive Propose
Feedback-oriented Direct Imagine
ai-terms