What Is Generative AI?

Using a prompts from you, this AI can create stories, poems, and even pictures

By
Saikat Basu
Saikat Basu
Saikat Basu
Writer
  • University of Pune (India)
Saikat has been a technology writer for 12+ years. His writing has appeared at MakeUseOf, OnlineTechTips, GoSkills, and many others.
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Updated on May 30, 2024

Generative AI (GenAI) is a revolutionary change that imitates human behavior and automates repetitive tasks in seconds to create new content based on a human prompt.

Generative AI Defined

Generative AI is just one type of artificial intelligence (AI). But it's the one which has brought with it mainstream popularity as anyone without technical knowledge can now use it.

Generative AI can create any content, like text, images, music, language, 3D models, and more with the help of a simple input called a prompt. Chatbots powered by Generative AI can hold conversations and mimic human behavior and creativity.

Popular GenAI tools you hear about daily include ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Stable Diffusion, Midjourney, and DALL-E. The common thread in all these tools is their simplicity and how easy it is for anyone to create content or use them alongside other applications.

How Does Generative AI Work? 

Generative AI models are fed with massive amounts of content called training data. Then, these AI models are programmed with an algorithm that allows them to generate solutions and specific types of outputs depending on their training data.

These algorithms analyze the patterns and relationships in their training data to understand what the user wants.

Generative AI is more advanced than any other form of predictive intelligence because it continuously learns from these patterns and generates new content for the user.

The result is content that appears natural and human-like. While a generative AI tool like ChatGPT is incredibly complex under the hood, its chatbot interface makes it as simple as having a conversation with another human. This user-friendliness is the reason for the explosion of Generative AI tools worldwide.

The Difference Between AI and Generative AI

AI is just a generic term that includes different approaches and technologies. You have already come across these different types in various applications used in our everyday lives.

Generative AI generates new content, and has turned into a tool to produce articles, music, art, and videos. But to truly understand Generative AI, it's important to understand where it fits in the broader spectrum of AI technologies. 

An older man wearing glasses looking at a see-through computer monitor. On the display is a representation of AI information responses.

"General AI" is again an umbrella for more traditional types of artificial intelligence that have long been used for different tasks. For instance, the AI used in selfies-turned-into-portraits, classifying your online purchasing habits, self-driving cars, or forecasting weather patterns are everyday examples of AI many of us use.

These types of General AI might produce content as a by-product while performing their primary tasks. But Generative AI is specifically designed to create fresh content.

Whether text, images, product recommendations, or any other output, Generative AI uses natural language to interact with the user and carry out instructions. 

Generative AI is just at the embryonic stage of its evolution as we continue to find new uses. But do note that this is a rapidly evolving field.

A Stanford University experiment demonstrated that ChatGPT 3.5 spontaneously developed a "Theory of Mind" intelligence of a 9-year-old boy, while some branches of AI, like Self-Aware AI, are still years away from fruition.

What Are Examples of Generative AI?

A GenAI tool usually exhibits a higher level of intelligence and more human-lie interactivity than traditional AI systems. These examples of GenAI tools aren't exhaustive, as tools are available for every purpose. Here are some examples of Generative AI popular today:

  • ChatGPT: OpenAI's large language model tool that brought Generative AI to our attention and turned it into our writing assistant.
  • DALL-E 2: Another tool from OpenAI that can take text prompts and generate artwork and images.
  • MusicLM: An AI music composer developed by Google to compose original music in any genre.
  • GitHub Copilot: This AI-powered coding tool from GitHub and OpenAI helps programmers generate code snippets from natural language prompts.
  • Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs): This is a broader class of Generative AI models that use two separate neural networks (like a player and a coach) to self-improve themselves and create realistic products or analytical tools—for instance, new designs, real human faces, etc.

Generative AI has been compared to steam engines and airplanes in their life-changing impact. But it's important to recognize that we are still on the ground floor, and it might take a few years to navigate its dangers and make it routine.

FAQ
  • What is a prompt?

    A prompt is a sentence or phrase you write to have the GenAI create something you want. For example, "Tell me a story about a chicken crossing the road because they wanted to be a mathematician." Or "Plan a driving route from the east coast to the west coast with stops at restaurants that begin with the letter R."

  • Are these AI platforms free to use?

    Generally speaking, yes. For example, you can use the BingAI if you are using the Bing search engine and are signed into a Microsoft account. Applications like Dall-E 2 costs about $0.034 per image created (although you buy in whole dollar increments, not per image).

  • Are there things GenAI can't do?

    GenAI is excellent at taking existing ideas and recombining them, but none of them, so far, have common-sense reasoning or empathy. They are also emotionless machines, no matter how helpful they are.

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