AI Literacy

What is Artificial Intelligence?

Artificial intelligence, or AI, is a general term that has been used since the 1950's to describe the idea of computer systems that can complete tasks in ways that approximate a human's abilities. With the advent of natural language generative AI tools (like ChatGPT) it is important to understand some of the different terms that you may hear described as AI.  Knowing some key terminology can be helpful when researching an AI tool or concept. 

Artificial Intelligence

"Is the term for the broad discipline that includes anything related to developing machines that are “intelligent” through programming. This includes many daily items you’re familiar with, from smartphones and marketing software to chatbots and virtual assistants."

(New Era Technology, 2020)

i.e. Read and Write speech to text software

Machine Learning

"Refers to machines and systems that can learn from “experience” supplied by data and algorithms. ML is often used interchangeably with AI, but it’s not the same thing — ML is a developmental outgrowth of AI." 

(New Era Technology, 2020)

i.e. Google Photos facial recognition software

Deep Learning

"Is a further developmental outgrowth of ML, but applied to even larger data sets. It uses multi-layered artificial neural networks to deliver high accuracy in assigned tasks."

 (New Era Technology, 2020)

i.e. autonomous vehicles

Are All Artifical Intelligence Tools the Same?


In general, all artificial intelligence tools fall into two types. Specialized /Narrow or Generalized. Specialized or narrow AI tools and services are likely the tools that most users are familiar with and have automated many high level tasks in ways that improve our lives and increase efficiency and productivity. Generalized AI is the more human-like AI that some users may be familiar with from the movies. While generalized AI is not human capable yet, the newest tools and services bring more human-like interactions and outputs. Knowing the type of artificial intelligence tool you are working with ensures you can make the best decisions on how to use the tool effectively.

Image From: (General AI vs. Narrow AI : 2022 Guide, 2022)

Specialized/Narrow AI

Uses ML or Deep Learning to complete a specific task or activity and does not 

i.e. Google Maps directions that is built to use ML to find you the fastest route to a destination


Generalized

What we often consider real AI… was designed to complete a broad range of tasks and order/complete those tasks independently more like a human would

i.e. ChatGPT is able to generate, spellcheck, cite and revise content from a single input

How Does Artificial Intelligence "Learn"

Regardless of the AI tool or service being used, all AI models are trained in one of three ways. These types of training on how AI "learns" to complete a task and how the AI learns can have direct impacts on how the AI algorithm generates results. Understanding how artificial intelligence learns is very important to understand as you read and review how a tool or service works. 

Image from IBM Developer. Models for Machine Learning

Supervised Learning

Uses labeled datasets to train algorithms to classify data or predict outcomes accurately. 


Unsupervised Learning

Similar to supervised learning but lacking a critic. Uses classes to categorize data on hidden features. 



Reinforcement Learning

The algorithm attempts to learn actions for a given set of states that lead to a goal state. Errors are received after a reinforcement signal.

Definitions from IBM Developer. Models for Machine Learning

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