AI is confusing — here’s your cheat sheet
Image credit: The Verge
Learn the basics: concepts and current state.
This overview from The Verge serves as a glossary to clarify common terminology associated with Artificial Intelligence (AI), addressing the confusion surrounding the language used in this rapidly evolving field. Defining artificial intelligence as the branch of computer science focused on creating systems that can mimic human cognitive functions. A distinction is made between narrow AI, designed for specific tasks, and Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), which would possess cognitive abilities comparable to humans but remains largely theoretical at this stage.
Key terms are explained in detail, such as machine learning, which allows systems to learn from data, and generative AI, capable of producing new content like text or images. Challenges within AI are highlighted, including hallucinations, where AI generates incorrect or nonsensical outputs, and the issue of bias, reflecting societal prejudices present in training data. Other concepts discussed include large language models (LLMs) that process human language, along with various AI models like diffusion models and transformers that enhance the capabilities of AI systems. Overall, this article aims to provide a foundational understanding of AI terminology to better navigate discussions about its advancements and implications.
