The “AI” part stands for artificial intelligence, which is generally defined as when a computer can do something that you’d expect a person to do – e.g. suggest what you could cook for tonight’s dinner based on what’s left in your fridge.
artificial intelligence noun (abbreviation Al)
the development and use of computer systems that can perform some of the functions normally associated with human intelligence, such as learning, problem-solving, decision-making, and pattern recognition.
So by adding the prefix “generative”, the words generative AI are used to describe when we use artificial intelligence to build something – often in response to a prompt, such as create some text, make an image, write some computer code, create a video or music.
Generative AI is often abbreviated to “genAI”.
As we will see later, whether or not generative AI can or should be considered as truly creative, is a disputed topic.
Where can I find genAI?
Twenty years ago, access to artificial intelligence systems was limited to computer scientists who needed a strong coding background. One of the reasons that generative AI use has mushroomed recently, is that it is now much more accessible and easier to use.
Chatbots
Tools such as ChatGPT and Copilot provide a friendly interface to generative AI that can be accessed using a web browser. You simply type your request in natural language and the AI tool responds.
Chatbot Video Transcript
Microsoft Copilot is open (full screen) in a web browser. It is a simple interface with the message “Hi, how can I help?” displayed prominently. In the centre of the screen is a text input, below that are some suggested prompts. The user clicks into the textbox and begins to type: “Can you create me an image of a dog cycling along a cobbled street?” They press the submit button to indicate they are finished describing the request.
The screen changes and the Copilot chatbot responds: “I’ll try to create that image for you now – a dog cycling along a cobbled street with a charming storybook feel. Hang tight!” Note that it has embellished the prompt slightly. A placeholder is displayed whilst the tool is generating the image. It shows the silhouette of a window frame through which can be seen a swirling blue-purple starry sky.
Ten seconds later, the placeholder is removed and replaced with the AI-generated image of a dog that looks a bit like a golden Labrador. The user has to scroll up the screen to see the full image. It shows a cartoon style dog wearing a grey flat cap and scarf, cycling on an old fashioned bicycle with a wicker basket on the handlebars. The dog’s legs don’t look as if they would reach the pedals. It is cycling down an old cobbled street, with shops on either side. People are sitting in front of the shops.
The picture is rendered in a coherent style and looks like it could have come from a children’s story book.
Built-into writing tools
Many tools such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Google Docs incorporate generative AI in ways that mean you may not even realise you are using it. You can select a paragraph, or even the whole document and select an option to simplify it, or reword it for a different audience. This may be to make your writing appear more formal, or perhaps to give it what the generative AI has been trained to see as a more “friendly” tone. Overuse of these tools risks losing your own voice and style of writing.
Word Video Transcript
The scene shows a user with a document open in Microsoft Word. It shows one heading and a paragraph. It is on fact the text shown above – that begins “Many tools such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Google Docs…”.
The user selects the whole paragraph and then right clicks to display a context menu. They expand the entry ‘Writing Tools’ and select the option ‘Make Friendly’.
The menu disappears and is replaced by a small dialogue box. Initially this just shows the word ‘Friendly’ as a title and some pulsing lines, representing the paragraph. After a short delay these lines are replaced with the suggested alternative text:
Hey there! Have you noticed how many tools like Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Google Docs use generative Al without you even noticing? It’s quite sneaky! You can select a paragraph or even the entire document and choose an option to make it simpler or reword it for a different audience. It’s like having a secret writing assistant that can make your writing sound more formal or give it a more friendly tone, all thanks to the magic of generative Al.
Below this text are some buttons, labelled ‘Replace’ and ‘Copy’. The user clicks the ‘Replace’ button and the dialogue box closes. The text in the highlighted paragraph is replaced with the AI-generated version.
Helping people code
Programmers (and increasingly non-programmers) can now use integrated AI tools to help them write and understand their code. Programs such as VS Code and R Studio have generative AI integrations that allow you to ask the generative AI tool to write code, or suggest changes. Sometimes this is referred to as “vibe coding“. There is no doubt this can be a real time-saver. The important concept here is “help”. If you use genAI tools to help you write code, you should always check that you understand what it is doing and that it is a correct and efficient way of doing it!
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Coding Video Transcript
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How does it work?
That’s a great question and is a logical place to go next…
Should we use it?
Or next you might want to consider the impact of using genAI: