AI Glossary 📖

Understanding AI terms in plain English

Core AI Concepts

Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Computer programs that can understand, reason, and respond like a smart human assistant. Think of it as software that can have conversations and solve problems.

Large Language Model (LLM)
The "brain" behind AI chatbots. It's software trained on millions of books, articles, and websites to understand and generate human-like text.

Prompt
The message or question you send to an AI. Like asking a friend for help, but in text form.

Response/Output
What the AI sends back to you after processing your prompt.

Context
The background information and previous conversation that helps AI understand what you really need.

Token
How AI measures text length. Roughly 3-4 characters = 1 token. Most AIs have limits on how many tokens they can process at once.

AI Platforms & Tools

ChatGPT
OpenAI's conversational AI platform. Popular for creative writing and general assistance.

Claude
Anthropic's AI assistant known for thoughtful, detailed responses and complex analysis.

Gemini
Google's AI that can search current web information and integrates with Google services.

Perplexity
Research-focused AI that always provides sources and citations for its answers.

GPT-4 / GPT-3.5
Different versions of OpenAI's language model. GPT-4 is smarter but costs more to use.

AI Capabilities

Natural Language Processing (NLP)
AI's ability to understand and work with human language (as opposed to computer code).

Text Generation
AI creating written content like emails, articles, or stories based on your prompts.

Summarization
AI condensing long documents or information into shorter, key points.

Translation
AI converting text from one language to another.

Sentiment Analysis
AI determining the emotional tone of text (positive, negative, neutral).

Code Generation
AI writing computer programs based on plain English descriptions.

Advanced Features

Artifact
When AI creates substantial content (documents, code, tools) that appears in a separate, editable box rather than just text in the conversation.

Canvas
ChatGPT's version of artifacts - a workspace where you can edit AI-generated content.

File Upload
Sharing documents, images, spreadsheets, or other files with AI for analysis, summarization, or editing.

Document Analysis
AI's ability to read, understand, and extract insights from uploaded files like PDFs, Word docs, or spreadsheets.

OCR (Optical Character Recognition)
AI's ability to read and extract text from images, screenshots, or scanned documents.

Fine-tuning
Customizing an AI model for specific tasks or industries (advanced feature).

RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation)
AI that can search and reference specific documents or databases to answer questions.

Multimodal
AI that can work with different types of input: text, images, audio, video.

Prompting Techniques

Few-shot Prompting
Giving AI a few examples of what you want before asking for your specific request.

Chain-of-Thought
Asking AI to "think step by step" or "explain your reasoning" for better results.

Role Prompting
Asking AI to act as a specific expert: "Act as a marketing professional and..."

System Prompt
Initial instructions that set AI's behavior for an entire conversation (like personality or expertise level).

Temperature
Setting that controls how creative vs. predictable AI responses are (technical setting, usually hidden).

Conversation Management

Thread/Session
A single conversation with an AI that maintains context throughout multiple messages.

Context Window
How much previous conversation the AI can remember and reference.

Conversation History
The record of your previous chats with an AI platform.

New Chat/Fresh Start
Starting a conversation without any previous context or memory.

AI Limitations & Safety

Hallucination
When AI confidently provides incorrect information or makes up facts.

Bias
AI reflecting unfair preferences or prejudices from its training data.

Training Data
The text and information used to teach the AI model (usually has a cutoff date).

Knowledge Cutoff
The latest date of information the AI was trained on. AI doesn't know events after this date.

Guardrails
Safety measures built into AI to prevent harmful or inappropriate responses.

Jailbreaking
Trying to bypass AI safety measures (not recommended and often doesn't work).

File & Data Handling

File Upload
Sharing documents, images, or other files with AI for analysis or editing.

Data Privacy
How your conversations and files are stored and protected by AI companies.

API
Technical way for other software to connect to and use AI services.

Document Conversation
Having an interactive discussion with AI about uploaded files instead of just reading them.

Creative Collaboration
Working with AI as a creative partner for brainstorming, storytelling, and artistic projects.

Decision Framework
Structured approach to analyzing choices using AI (pros/cons, scenarios, values-based analysis).

Scenario Planning
Using AI to explore "what if" situations for better decision-making.

Values-Based Decision Making
Evaluating choices against your personal values and long-term goals with AI guidance.

Creative Block
When you're stuck for ideas - AI can help break through with unexpected suggestions.

Brainstorming
Generating multiple creative ideas or solutions with AI assistance.

Creative & Decision-Making Terms

Creative Collaboration
Working with AI as a creative partner for brainstorming, storytelling, and artistic projects.

Decision Framework
Structured approach to analyzing choices using AI (pros/cons, scenarios, values-based analysis).

Scenario Planning
Using AI to explore "what if" situations for better decision-making.

Values-Based Decision Making
Evaluating choices against your personal values and long-term goals with AI guidance.

Creative Block
When you're stuck for ideas - AI can help break through with unexpected suggestions.

Brainstorming
Generating multiple creative ideas or solutions with AI assistance.

Cross-Pollination
Taking ideas from one field and adapting them to another with AI help.

Troubleshooting Terms

AI Confusion
When AI gives generic, unhelpful, or off-topic responses.

Prompt Debugging
Breaking down your request to figure out why AI isn't understanding you.

Response Recovery
Techniques for getting AI back on track when it goes off-topic.

Platform Switching
Moving to a different AI when one isn't working well for your task.

Fresh Start
Beginning a new conversation to reset context when things go wrong.

Iteration Fix
Making small adjustments to improve AI responses rather than starting over.

Generic Response
When AI gives bland, unhelpful answers that could apply to anyone.

Hallucination
When AI confidently provides incorrect information or makes up facts.

Context Loss
When AI forgets earlier parts of your conversation.

Workflow Terms

Dual Engine
Using two different AIs for research and analysis to get better results.

Knowledge Base
Your personal collection of proven AI prompts and templates.

Template
A reusable prompt format where you fill in specific details for your situation.

Iteration
Refining and improving AI responses through follow-up prompts.

Handoff
Transferring information or tasks from one AI to another in a workflow.

Platform Switching
Changing from one AI tool to another when you need different capabilities or better results.

Fresh Start/New Chat
Starting a conversation without any previous context when troubleshooting or changing topics.

Copy-Paste Transfer
Moving information from one AI conversation to another by copying and pasting text.

Structured Handoff
Organizing research or information in a specific format before transferring to another AI for analysis.

Business & Professional

Custom GPT
Personalized version of ChatGPT trained for specific tasks or industries.

Enterprise AI
AI tools designed for business use with enhanced security and features.

AI Agent
AI that can perform multiple tasks or actions autonomously (emerging technology).

Automation
Using AI to handle repetitive tasks without human intervention.

Future & Emerging Terms

AGI (Artificial General Intelligence)
Hypothetical AI that matches human intelligence across all areas (doesn't exist yet).

Multiagent Systems
Multiple AIs working together on complex tasks.

Reasoning Models
AI specifically designed to think through problems step-by-step (like OpenAI's o1).

AI Alignment
Ensuring AI systems work toward human values and goals.

Common Abbreviations

LLM - Large Language Model
NLP - Natural Language Processing
ML - Machine Learning
DL - Deep Learning
API - Application Programming Interface
UI - User Interface
UX - User Experience
RAG - Retrieval-Augmented Generation
AGI - Artificial General Intelligence
OCR - Optical Character Recognition
PDF - Portable Document Format

Don't worry about memorizing these terms! This glossary is here when you need it. Start with the basics and learn new terms as you encounter them in your AI journey.Understanding AI terms in plain English