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This page contains a brief explanation of the most common terms encountered in the Artificial Intelligence field.

Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)

Strong artificial intelligence (AI), also known as artificial general intelligence (AGI) or general AI, is a theoretical form of AI used to describe a certain mindset of AI development. A machine with Strong AI would possess an intelligence equal to humans, and it would have a self-aware consciousness that has the ability to solve problems, learn, and plan for the future. Today AGI only exists as a theoretical concept, where some optimistic individuals consider it possible in a few decades, while more pessimistic views consider it something that can never be developed.

For more information: What is Strong AI? (IBM)

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

In its most basic essence, artificial intelligence involves the fusion of computer science and extensive datasets to facilitate problem-solving. It encompasses sub-categories like machine learning and deep learning, often associated with AI. These fields consist of algorithms aimed at developing expert systems that predict or classify based on input data.

Foundation models

Large machine learning (ML) model trained on vast amounts of data in order to be adapted to a wide range of uses. 

Generative Artificial Intelligence (Generative AI or GenAI)

It refers to deep-learning models that can generate high-quality text, images, and other content based on the data they were trained on.

For more information: What is generative AI? (IBM Research Blog)

Machine Learning (ML)

A branch of artificial intelligence (AI) and computer science which focuses on the use of data and algorithms to imitate the way that humans learn, gradually improving its accuracy.

Hallucination

Phenomenon where a large language model (LLM) like a Generative AI chatbot creates an output that is either inaccurate or nonsensical.

Large Language Models (LLMs)

Types of foundation models trained extensively on vast datasets, enabling them to comprehend and produce natural language and various forms of content, facilitating a broad spectrum of tasks.

For more information: What are large language models? (IBM)

Prompt

Intentionally crafted phrase or instructions given to a Generative AI model to generate a useful response.

Strong artificial intelligence (AI)

See Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)