| AI Term | Definition | Use |
| Artificial Intelligence (AI) | Technology that enables machines to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, like understanding language or making decisions. | AI has been in use for years. It is the chatbot on websites asking how they can help, it's the GPS on your phone, Siri and Alexa are common household AI names. AI has taken a recent leap forward with the development of Generative AI. |
| Prompts | Prompts are entered into the AI application to provide instruction or direction on what the user would like the AI to do. Crafting your prompt with specific directions will improve the results created by the AI to more accurately match what you are needing. | The more details and information you can provide the AI in your prompt the better the result will be. Details include size, shape, length, format, specific focuses, etc. |
| Algorithm | A set of rules used to organize or analyze data. | Algorithms are used by AI to review data sets, organize and analyze the information to pull what is most relevant to your prompt base on what you entered. |
| Application Programming Interface (API) | API is a set of protocols that determine how two or more applications will interact. | For AI, this is how the AI application (such as Zoom AI or Microsoft Copilot 365) will interact with other applications such as Zoom, Outlook, Teams, etc. to provide meeting transcriptions, calendar reminders, meeting summaries, and more. |
| Chatbot | A type of AI application that imitates human conversation through text or voice commands. | Many help desks and websites utilize chatbots to answer questions wit pre-programmed solutions or identify a user's problem and sort them to the best department for assistance. |
Machine Learning | The process of a computer system learning how to do something by identifying patterns in data that is repeatedly run through algorithms and making predictions based on the patterns it has identified in those data sets. | Machine learning is used to train AI applications to produce the results you are looking for when you enter a prompt. |
| Large Language Models (LLMs) | Large Language Models (LLMs) are a type of AI software. Not all AI applications are LLMs, but examples of LLMs include Chat GPT and Microsoft Copilot 365/Copilot Chat. LLMs are trained using machine learning to process language through a significant amount of text to learn patterns of human communication so that they can mimic it. | Large Language Models (LLMs) will use the data entered into it to improve upon its machine learning. This is why it is crucial that only a university-approved AI application is used with university data, as many LLMs will hold onto the data entered into it.
Microsoft Copilot 365 and Copilot Chat do NOT retain the data entered into it and are secure to use. |
| Generative AI | Generative AI is a subtype of AI that uses LLMs to create new content. This is different from other types of AI because it doesn't regurgitate existing information, like the Google search AI, but takes what it learns from the LLM and creates
something new and unique based on the prompts you enter. | Generative AI can be used to create images, text, documents, presentations, data sets, and more. Make sure you are using it securely and ONLY use
university-approved AI applications.
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| Hallucinations | Generative AI systems can't tell the difference between real and fake information, so they can give inaccurate answers. These inaccurate responses are called "hallucinations." Hallucinations can show up in inaccurate statements or predictions. | It is best practice to always double check the results of generative AI to ensure accuracy and that there are no hallucinations. Developers and users can improve accuracy and reduce hallucinations by catching them and uploading additional
information from a trusted source. |
| Multimodal models | Multimodal model AIs can work with different types or mediums of data simultaneously (images, text, audio, etc.) It will combine these multiple modes of information together to give a result. | Microsoft Copilot 365 and Copilot Chat are both multimodal. They can respond to various forms of input. If you upload a document, picture, and video all at once and ask it to provide a summary of the content, it will be able to do so. |
| Natural Language Processing (NLP) | NLP is a type of AI that understands the way humans write and speak. | NLP allows for speech recognition and is used by Zoom AI and Microsoft Copilot 365 for meeting transcripts and summaries. |
| Plugins | Plugins are additional add-on features that can fill specific needs with the AI without modifying the original AI model. | Plugins allow AI to interact with other software and applications such as Outlook, your calendar, and Teams. |
