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A glossary of common terms relevant to AI
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Computers doing things that usually need human brainpower – like understanding language, recognising faces, or playing chess.
Algorithm
A step-by-step set of rules a computer follows to solve a problem – a bit like a recipe, but for machines.
Chatbot
A program that talks (or chats) with you – like ChatGPT. It can answer questions, help you write things, or even have a bit of banter.
Data
The raw information AI learns from – like photos, emails, or numbers in a spreadsheet.
Deep Learning
A clever type of machine learning that uses layers of ‘artificial neurons’, inspired by how the brain works. It’s behind things like image recognition and voice assistants.
Generative AI
AI that can make new stuff – like stories, images, poems, or music – rather than just analysing existing data.
GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer)
A type of AI model trained to understand and write human language. That’s what powers ChatGPT.
Machine Learning
A way of teaching computers to learn from data instead of being told exactly what to do – they spot patterns and improve over time.
Memory
ChatGPT’s ability to remember information between chats. Available only in the paid version (ChatGPT Plus with GPT-4). The free version (GPT-3.5) does not have memory and forgets everything after each session..
Model
The trained brain of the AI – it’s what the AI uses to make decisions or answer questions based on what it has learned.
Prompt
The message or question you give to an AI – like a starting point for the conversation.
Training Data
The examples an AI was shown to learn how to do its job – this could be books, websites, images, or sounds.