Glossary of AI Terms

Understanding the vocabulary of AI is a fundamental literacy for everyone. Think of this glossary as a “translation guide.”

Agentic AI

Autonomous AI systems designed to achieve a specific goal by planning, making decisions, and using tools without constant human prompting.

Algorithm

The mathematical "recipes" that tell the system how to process data, recognize patterns, and make decisions.

Assistive AI

Technology designed to help humans perform tasks more easily without necessarily generating new content from scratch. 

Bias

Systematic prejudices in AI outputs that are inherited and often amplified from the human-created historical data used for training.

Black Box

The complex internal processes of AI, where the path used to reach an output remains opaque or indiscernible.

Bots

AI systems programmed to perform specific, repetitive tasks.

Data Set

A massive collection of information that is used to train AI systems. The AI tool does not verify the information that it collects. 

Deepfake

Media created using AI systems to portray someone doing or saying something they never actually did or said. 

Generative AI (GenAI)

An AI system that creates new and original content by learning patterns from existing data sets.

Hallucination

Factually incorrect or nonsensical information generated by an AI system because the system is predicting words rather than checking facts.

Human-in-the-Loop

A practice ensuring that human judgment, reflection, and oversight are the constant in utilizing AI-generated outputs and feedback.

Large Language Model (LLM)

AI systems trained on massive data sets to generate human-like language by using algorithms to predict the most likely next word. 

Machine Learning

A process that allows machines to refine their output by following data patterns and making predictions rather than following explicit programming and algorithms.

Neural Networks

Computer systems modeled after the human brain that enable AI to recognize complex patterns.

Nonconsensual intimate imagery (NCII)

Sexually explicit media of a person without their consent.

Personally Identifiable Information (PII)

Sensitive data that can be used to identify people.

Prompt

The input a user provides to an AI system to elicit a response.

Transparency

The practice of being honest about why, when, how, and which AI tools were accessed in the process.