1 What is generative AI?

Generative AI is transforming the approach to productivity. Recent advancements in AI greatly improved natural language processing and generation. These technologies now enable the creation of images, videos, texts, and audio from simple descriptions, transforming how you interact with technology.

This video reveals how generative AI can provide support in the creative process and enhance productivity, highlighting its potential to reshape various industries by empowering people to achieve more with less. By automating repetitive tasks and providing creative suggestions, generative AI allows you to focus on what truly matters: envisioning innovative ideas, setting ambitious goals, and pursuing your dreams.

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Imagine you are trying to write a heartfelt birthday card,

Then, an envelope appears.

but the right words escape you.

Then, an AI companion offers creative suggestions, and suddenly, the perfect message flows onto the card.

This is the power of generative AI. It can transform our approach to creativity and productivity.

Starting at its history, generative AI has its roots in early AI research and mathematical explorations, including the creation of chatbots in the 1960s

and the introduction of Generative Adversarial Networks, or GANS, in the 2010s.

Fast forward to recent developments, Generative Pre-trained Transformers, or GPTs, have significantly advanced natural language processing and generation capabilities. These networks have transformed the field, enabling the creation of images, videos, texts, and audio.

In today’s world, machines are not just tools, but key players in the creative process, marking a significant shift in our approach to productivity.

This technological advancement allows us to focus on what we do best:

envisioning, innovating, setting goals, and pursuing our dreams.

So, you might wonder, what exactly is generative AI?

Generative AI is a type of artificial intelligence that is trained on data to generate new content.

By identifying patterns found in data, generative AI can produce entirely new and original creations, mirroring the intricate complexity of human imagination.

But how is this possible? This is achieved through machine learning models that have been trained on extensive amounts of data. These models can understand complex patterns within the data.

Once trained, they can generate new content that mirrors the structure and style of the training data yet it is entirely original.

Now, why is this important? Imagine a world where every creative thought could be explored, where each ‘what if’ is answered with numerous possibilities, and your repetitive tasks are handled by an AI tool.

Generative AI can make this a reality.

As we embrace this new era of AI, we find ourselves not limited by the constraints of time or resources, but empowered to dream bigger, innovate faster, and reach further.

The essence of generative AI lies in its ability to learn from patterns, crafting narratives and solutions that resonate on a personal level yet have the power to inspire on a global scale.

So, ask yourself: How will you harness the power of generative AI to redefine the boundaries of your imagination? The canvas is vast, the palette is endless, and the next masterpiece of innovation awaits your touch.

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Now that you have the foundations down, you might be curious about how it works. Generative AI functions through AI models, which are mathematical structures that learn from patterns in data using algorithms. There are several types of AI models with varying capabilities. Some AI models are designed to identify and classify information, while others, like generative AI models, excel in creating content.

This video shows how the use of generative AI models varies based on one’s technical ability. For example, experts can customize these models for complex tasks, while beginners can use preexisting models or tools with minimal technical knowledge.

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Artificial intelligence can be designed to perform specific tasks. This includes everything from self-driving cars and weather forecasting to virtual assistants.

AI models are like the brains of the AI systems.

These models are mathematical structures that learn patterns from data using algorithms.

Interestingly, there are different types of AI models, and their capabilities vary.

Some AI models are designed to classify or identify information based on what they have been trained on.

These models are often used in applications like image recognition or spam detection.

On the other hand, generative AI models specialise in creating new content, ranging from written text and visual artwork to musical melodies.

The Generative Pre-Trained Transformer, or GPT model is one such example.

GPT models can understand context and make predictions, 19which is why they are used in applications like text completion, translation, and even coding assistance.

The way we use a generative AI model depends entirely on our technical knowledge.

Let’s use an analogy of gardening to illustrate this:

Scenario one - The landscape designer: Just as a landscape designer uses their extensive knowledge of gardening to plan and cultivate a garden from the ground up, a team of tech experts like software engineers can create a generative AI model, customising it for complex tasks.

Scenario two - The home gardener:

A home gardener might use a mix of seed packets and young plants to cultivate a garden, following some guidance but also experimenting.

Similarly, someone with basic tech knowledge might use pre-existing models from open-source repositories like GitHub and tweak them to suit their project or personal needs.

Scenario three - The indoor plant enthusiast: Someone who starts with a simple indoor plant kit that comes with instructions for easy maintenance is like a person who wants to simply use a generative AI tool or service.

They can easily access online services such as Microsoft Copilot, without needing in-depth technical expertise.

However, basic understanding of the technology can enhance the user’s experience. In all these scenarios, the level of control you want over the results from the generative AI model depends on you.

But certainly, in all these cases, we will have a beautiful garden and a greater understanding of generative AI models.

Regardless of your degree of technical expertise, the landscape of generative AI continues to grow.

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Generative AI is changing the way you interact with technology, from creating content to helping with complex tasks. These advancements enable AI to understand and process human language, fostering a more natural interaction.