Generative AI Made Simple for Non-Techies
Nowadays, it's hard to go a day without reading or hearing about AI. And when you hear people discussing it, you kind of understand that they're talking about a new technology capable of generating content just as humans can. You sense that it's important, and you're probably thinking you should get into it, but you don't really know where to start. Well, I've got you covered. Sit back, and let me explain what generative AI is, how it's used, its strengths and weaknesses, and how ChatGPT relates to all this.
Co-workers talking about Generative AI
Key take-aways
Understanding Generative AI's Basic Functions
Generative AI is like a smart assistant that can create new content—whether it's words, pictures, tunes, or videos—by learning from loads of existing data. It's a bit like how you might learn to cook a completely new dish by watching a bunch of cooking shows. You don’t need any technical background to use it. It is made to be user-friendly so that anyone can get creative with it.
Everyday Uses of Generative AI
This technology isn't just for techies or big companies. It's already helping create new fashion designs, personalizing what you watch on Netflix, or even coming up with marketing ideas.
Practical Insights into Generative AI's Everyday Impact
While generative AI can do some pretty amazing things, it's not perfect. Think of it as a tool in your toolkit. It can make mistakes, so it's smart to double-check its suggestions, especially if you're using it for important stuff. And be mindful of the info share with an AI, to keep your personal and business data safe.
What is generative AI?
Generative AI is a smart computer technology that can create new content such as text, images, audio, or video. It works by analyzing and learning patterns from large amounts of data. These patterns are then used to generate new, original pieces of content.
For example, if generative AI has been trained on a large set of images, it can generate new images that have never been seen before, yet feel familiar in style and content. In the same way, if it's been trained on text, it can write new pieces of text.
Generative AI tools can create new content a lot faster than a human and at lower cost. At its core it is very simple to use. Generative AI is designed to be user-friendly. There is no technical expertise needed to use this technology. However, this doesn't mean it's without challenges or limitations.
Examples of Generative AI
Generative AI is used in many ways. Here are some of the most common uses:
Content creation: This includes writing articles, stories, and scripts.
Generating images: Making pictures from text descriptions.
Music and voice: Creating songs or spoken content.
Task automation: Such as writing code or making marketing stuff.
Chatbots: Many chatbots use generative AI to talk and respond.
Simply put, generative AI is like a smart helper. When you tell it what you want, it can create original content for you.
What are the strengths and weaknesses of Generative AI
Imagine having a personal assistant you can ask question and give assignments to 24/7 without ever having to pay them and who will never complain about being tired. That's a bit what generative AI offers. It can handle many different tasks, very fast. But it is not perfect. It makes mistakes. That is why you should always check the results the AI produces. Sometimes, generative AI might misunderstand your instructions, or it might be missing the right information to answer your question, resulting in unexpected responses.
You can ask the exact same question multiple times and it can respond with a different answer each times. This is because it generates the answer each time by predicting what the right answer might be. It can also generate answers that appear to be sound, but are completely made up by the AI. This is called hallucination.
Is Generative AI good or bad
That's basically asking if a computer is good or bad. It really depends on how it's used. In the hands of an artist, it can create beauty; used carelessly, it might not produce the desired outcome. Generative AI can be used to empower people by automating repetitive tasks, boost creativity and assist in research. But you must be aware of its limitations and the risk involved with using generative AI to make sure it brings value and does not cause harm.
What are the risks of using Generative AI?
When using generative AI it is important to consider privacy. When you input your data —such as personal information—into an AI system, there's a chance it could be shared or stored in ways you don’t want. To stay safe, think of AI as a personal notebook that might get passed around. Only write what you're comfortable sharing.
With generative AI, the information you put in and the output you receive can sometimes get 'twisted'. It might create something unexpected, biased, or just plain wrong. I heard someone describe double-checking the responses as if you're verifying a fact from a gossip.
Be careful with using AI for important decisions or matters that involve money. AI is not necessarily providing you with truthful answers. Is not a knowledge database. It is a tool that tries to help you by predicting the best answer. That is why you should question the AI's output, and stay informed about the best ways to use this powerful technology safely and ethically.
Is ChatGPT generative AI
Yes, ChatGPT is a type of generative AI. It's like a creative partner that can help you come up with new things, whether it's text or images. For example, if you don’t know what to cook for dinner, you can tell ChatGPT what ingredients you have, and it can suggest a recipe for you. Or if your nephew is celebrating his 10th birthday and you want to make it special, ChatGPT can help you write a unique birthday song. Even if you're helping out at a community center and need a logo, ChatGPT can design a logo for you. It's all powered by OpenAI, the people behind ChatGPT and they offer both free and premium options.
Upload a picture of ingredients in ChatGPT and ask it to suggest a recipe
How do you talk to ChatGPT
Chatting with ChatGPT is as simple as talking to a friend. You type in what you're thinking about or what you need help with, and ChatGPT responds with ideas or answers. It's designed to be user-friendly, so you don't need any special knowledge to start the conversation. Just ask whatever is on your mind, and ChatGPT will assist you.
When you find that ChatGPT is not giving you the answers you are looking for, try not to get frustrated. You have a way to shape the AI’s output. By sharing more specific information about your situation, you guide ChatGPT to give you more relevant responses. If you mention that your nephew is a fan of Marvel movies, it adds context that can greatly refine the it’s suggestions, potentially leading to a birthday song that includes a Spider-Man theme. And if you mention that you are a vegetarian and you don’t like garlic, you will increase the chances that the AI’s suggests a dinner recipe you might like.
How Generative AI Helps Us Every Day
You might not realize it, but generative AI is already part of your daily life. It's helping create things you use or enjoy every day, from the clothes you wear to the shows you watch. Let's look at how this smart tool is used in different areas:
In fashion, AI is used to come up with new clothing designs. It learns what people like to wear by understanding current trends and styles and then suggest new styles that designers might not have thought of.
Netflix uses AI to generate personalised recommendations
In Entertainment, Netflix uses generative AI to help suggest shows and movies you might like. When you watch something on Netflix, it pays attention to what you enjoy. It looks at the types of shows or movies you spend time watching and then suggests other things you might like based on what it has learned about your preferences. So, if you've been watching a lot of superhero movies, Netflix might suggest other movies with heroes and action. This way, the next time you log in, you'll find recommendations that are tailored just for you, making it easier to find something you'll enjoy watching.
In business, AI can for example be used as a smart advisor that helps companies understand what their customers like and what they might want to buy in the future. This helps businesses offer better products and services.
My Personal Journey: from Curiosity to Mastery
When I first started using generative AI, I used ChatGPT in a very simple way by asking it silly questions, basically using it as a search engine -which it is not- to find quick answers. The more I experimented with it and after watching some videos, the more I realized the true potential of generative AI. It was as if I had been using a Ferrari just to pick up groceries around the corner! My journey from casual curiosity to integrating generative AI in my professional and socials life had its ups and downs. By sharing my knowledge and lessons learned I wish for you that your journey is more enjoyable and your learning curve is shorter.
Now that we've walked through the basics of what generative AI is, its applications, and its impact on our lives and businesses, I hope you feel more informed and intrigued. Was this article helpful in understanding the basics of generative AI? What are you eager to learn next? Your feedback helps me write about topics that help you move forward. In my next article I will write about why you should care about understanding generative AI, especially without having a technical background.