Generative AI: A Few Basics

Depending on what you read, where you spend time online and the content in your feed, Generative AI (or Gen AI) might be all the rage.?

I'm certain you know about ChatGPT, the most popular tool associated with Gen AI (there are many others by the way), and have probably used it yourself.?

You might be aware of concerns about AI replacing jobs; you may have some of your own!?

You may have heard of the EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act, but don't know the detail of what it covers.

But if you’re still wondering exactly what Generative AI is, I hope this provides some answers and introduces you to a few basics on the subject.?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) itself is quite an old concept, dating back to the 1950s with the Turing Test. After slow progress for much of the 20th century, AI took off in the 2000s with:?

• Machine Learning: With learning capabilities where AI learns from past experiences or data, such as in email spam filters for example; and?
• Deep Learning: With thinking capabilities, where neural networks (that mimic the way the brain works) understand and interpret large data sets.

However, it REALLY took off in 2018 when the first GPT* was developed and of course, with the launch of ChatGPT in 2022.?

Here’s a good way to think about AI: It’s a computer programme that has the ability to think and learn, which means it can perform tasks which were previously done almost exclusively by human beings. ?

And Generative AI (or Gen AI) creates – or generates – outputs, depending on what the inputs or requests are.

It can solve problems, perform analyses, and summarise information.?

It can generate content in different formats such as text, images, audio, blogs, podcasts, and music.?

Gen AI can also generate design options for prototypes, and tailor products, services and experiences based on a user’s behaviour and preferences.?

Its ability to produce and perform tasks that have historically been done by human beings is quite incredible, and we are told that it is still pretty much in its infancy.?

A massive advantage? A reduction in operational costs and an increase in efficiencies, which could drive down costs. Which can be a huge benefit, especially for SMEs.?

That’s my starting point.?

There’s so much more to write about when it comes to Gen AI:

The terminology, Large Language Models, the EU AI Act, Pitfalls of AI, and Diversity in the world of AI are a few of topics I want to write about over the coming weeks.

I'll also share different use cases, particularly for Project Managers and people are responsible for the change agenda in their organisations.

So subscribe to this newsletter and follow me on LinkedIn to make sure you don't miss it!

*GPT: generative pre-trained transformer