AI Literacy Toolbox: What is AI?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the field of computer science that focuses on developing systems and algorithms that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as learning, problem-solving, decision-making, and perception. AI systems can be designed to mimic or even surpass human cognitive abilities in specific domains, and they have a wide range of applications, from natural language processing and image recognition to robotics and autonomous systems.

Created with the assistance of GenAI: Anthropic. (2024). Claude 3 haiku (March 4 version) [Large language model]. https://claude.ai/

BBC. (2023, August 17). Five things you really need to know about AI - BBC [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-J3YJxNnzDc

What is generative AI?

Generative AI refers to a class of artificial intelligence models that can generate new content, such as text, images, audio, or even code, based on the training data they have been exposed to. These models use deep learning techniques, like neural networks, to learn the patterns and structures in the training data, and then leverage that knowledge to create novel outputs that are similar in style and content to the original data. Generative AI models have a wide range of applications, from creative tasks like writing stories or composing music, to practical tasks like generating product descriptions or summarizing long documents. The key advantage of generative AI is its ability to produce unique and tailored content, rather than simply retrieving or recombining existing information.

Terminology

Artificial neural networks: computational models inspired by the structure and function of the human brain, designed to learn and make decisions in a way that mimics the way biological neural networks operate. 

Deep learning: a type of machine learning that uses artificial neural networks with multiple hidden layers to learn and make predictions from large, complex datasets.

Created with the assistance of GenAI: Anthropic. (2024). Claude 3 haiku (March 4 version) [Large language model]. https://claude.ai/

And what is ChatGPT?

'Why is everybody talking about GPT-4o? Is ChatGPT going to take over the world? Your questions, answered' from The Verge is a light-hearted introduction to ChatGPT. It explains it in simple terms, including its capabilities, limitations and how you can get started using it.

The article ends with this piece of wisdom: "Did you know ChatGPT sounds like “chat j’ai pété” in French, which roughly translates to “cat, I farted.” Somebody even created a website with a cat who farts when you click on it." 

We, at the Wintec Library, challenge you to lean into the temptation of clicking on the above link.

Go on. You know you want to...

What is Artificial General Intelligence?

Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) refers to a type of artificial intelligence that can understand, learn, and apply knowledge across a wide range of tasks, much like a human can. Unlike narrow AI systems that are designed for specific tasks, AGI would be flexible and adaptable, capable of solving diverse problems and acquiring new skills without needing to be reprogrammed. It would have the ability to reason, plan, and think abstractly, potentially matching or surpassing human-level intelligence across various domains. While AGI remains a theoretical concept at present, many researchers are working towards developing systems that could eventually achieve this level of capability.

Created with the assistance of GenAI: Anthropic. (2024). Claude 3.5 sonnet (June 20 version) [Large language model]. https://claude.ai/

Is AGI achievable (should we start preparing to worship our robot overlords)?

There is a lot of hype around AGI and AI superintelligence, and Big Tech, like OpenAI, is investing in trying to achieve it. However, currently there is little scientific evidence that AGI is possible. It seems all we have at the moment is theory and no agreement about how AGI might be achieved.

Read more:

• The embeddings world and Artificial General Intelligence - the introduction of this article is a good place to start to get a precis of the arguments around how AGI can be achieved/not achieved.
• The AI Race: Why Current Neural Network-based Architectures are a Poor Basis for Artificial General Intelligence
• How Organisms Come to Know the World: Fundamental Limits on Artificial General Intelligence
• Is Artificial General Intelligence Impossible?