Generative AI, such as ChatGPT or GoogleBard, is an AI tool powered by a Large Language Model to answer prompts provided by users. Large Language Models are AI systems that are trained using huge amounts of data from sources like books, web pages, videos, and more, to predict the next word in a string of text. Since generative AI is trained on information found on the internet, and information on the internet can be misleading, offensive, false, funny, biased, or true, the answers or work that generative AI creates can also be misleading, offensive, false, funny, biased, or true. Additionally, some AI tools may not be up to date because their training sets are old and don't contain the most recent information. It is important to note that generative AI can predict the word that is statistically most likely in a string of text, but it cannot analyze or make a judgement call on the answers it creates.
AI Glossary:
AI (Artificial Intelligence) "the ability of a digital computer or computer-controlled robot to perform tasks commonly associated with intelligent beings. The term is frequently applied to the project of developing systems endowed with the intellectual processes characteristic of humans, such as the ability to reason, discover meaning, generalize, or learn from past experience." (Encyclopedia Britannica)
ML (Machine Learning) "a subfield of artificial intelligence that gives computers the ability to learn without explicitly being programmed." (MIT)
LLMs (Large Language Models) "A language model is a machine learning model that aims to predict and generate plausible language. Autocomplete is a language model, for example." (Google)
GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) "a complex mathematical representation of text or other types of media that allows a computer to perform some tasks, such as interpreting and producing language, recognizing or creating images, and solving problems" (Cambridge Dictionary)
Watch this video to learn about how Large-Language Models work. Follow this link for more information about the small-language matchbox example in the above video.
Many Higher Education publications feature write-ups on AI in higher education. Check out the following publications for up to date news:
The following resources are complied lists of articles and resources focused on Generative AI in Higher Ed:
Some recently published articles on Generative AI & ChatGPT:
Generative AI is changing rapidly, so feel free to contact us with suggestions or updates for this guide. You can also contact us to request librarian-led programming on Generative AI that explores ethical uses for generative AI and its limitations. Contact us at libref@beloit.edu.
