For beginners
What is AI?
Short answer: computer programs that learn from examples and make predictions based on what they learned. The longer answer is below, in plain words.
Artificial intelligence is the umbrella term for computer systems that can do tasks that normally need human intelligence: understanding language, recognising images, making decisions and writing.
In a traditional program we tell the computer every step: “If this happens, do that.” With AI, we show the computer lots of examples and it finds the rules itself. A model that has seen thousands of cat photos can recognise a cat in a photo it has never seen before.
The kind people talk about most today is generative AI: systems that can produce text, images, audio and code. Chat assistants such as ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude belong to this group.
Learning in three steps
- Data: The model is fed huge numbers of examples such as books, web pages, photos or sound recordings.
- Training: The model makes a guess, checks its mistake and adjusts its internal connections slightly. This loop repeats billions of times.
- Use: Once trained, the model can answer new questions. When you ask something, it produces the most likely answer from the connections it learned.
An important note: a model is not a thinking person. It is a very powerful prediction machine, which is why it can sometimes state wrong information confidently.
You already use it every day.
Phone camera
Night mode and face focus on your phone are powered by AI.
Translation
Pointing your camera at a menu or sign and seeing it translated instantly.
Maps and traffic
Navigation apps that predict the fastest route.
Recommendations
The “you might also like” lists in streaming and shopping apps.
Chat assistants
Apps such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude and Copilot that you can ask questions or have write for you.
Security
Banks spotting suspicious card transactions.
Terms you will often hear.
- Model
- The “brain” file that holds what an AI has learned. ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude are names of models and the apps built on them.
- Neural network
- A structure of many small connected units, loosely inspired by brain cells. Learning means adjusting how strong those connections are.
- Large language model (LLM)
- A model trained on vast amounts of text that can read and write like a person. It is the basis of chat assistants.
- Prompt
- The request or question you type to an AI. The clearer it is, the better the answer.
- Token
- The small pieces a model reads text in, roughly a word or part of a word. Prices and limits are usually measured in tokens.
- Generative AI
- AI that can create new content: text, images, audio, video or code.
- Hallucination
- When a model confidently states something false or made up. Always check important facts at the source.
- AI agent
- An AI that does not just answer but carries out tasks for you step by step, such as searching the web, editing files or filling in forms.
Using it safely
- Check it. For important topics such as health, law and money, always verify the answer with a reliable source.
- Do not share personal data. Never type ID numbers, passwords or card details into chat assistants.
- Watch for outdated answers. Some models know nothing after a certain date. Versions that can search the web are more up to date.
- Be wary of fakes. AI can produce realistic fake photos, voices and videos. Check the source before sharing something surprising.
Questions you might have.
- What is artificial intelligence?
- Artificial intelligence is the general name for technologies that let computers do tasks that normally need human intelligence, such as learning, understanding language, recognising images and making decisions. Most of today’s systems are models that learn from very large numbers of examples.
- What are ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude?
- They are chat assistants built on large language models. ChatGPT is made by OpenAI, Gemini by Google and Claude by Anthropic. People use them to write, summarise, answer questions, translate and write code.
- Is AI always right?
- No. AI can give fluent, confident answers that are wrong; this is called “hallucination”. For important topics such as health, law and money, always check the answer against a reliable source.
- Do I need to know how to code to use AI?
- No. Most chat assistants are used simply by typing what you want in everyday language. The clearer and more detailed your request, the better the answer.
- Are AI tools free?
- Many tools have a free version. More capable models and higher usage limits usually come with paid subscriptions. Always check current prices on the tool’s own website.
- Is it safe to type personal information into AI?
- Do not type sensitive data such as ID numbers, passwords or card details. What you write is processed on the provider’s servers and, depending on your settings, may be stored or used to improve their models.