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AI (1200 X 800Px)

Glossary of terms

Find out what some of the specialist terms around AI mean

Adaptive AI

This is the latest form of artificial intelligence that learns, adapts and improves as it encounters changes, both in data and the environment.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

The simulation of human intelligence by machines, especially computer software. Specific applications of AI include natural language processing, speech recognition and machine vision.

Algorithmic AI

Software that follows a set of programmed instructions, with the software learning from the outcome, which differentiates its from simply running computer code.

Content Aware [tool] or [fill]

Refers to software that creates content - images, video or audio - based on patterns it recognises in surrounding content. It is best known as  the 'content aware fill' tool in Photoshop. It can also be used to reduce noise in images or audio. 

Data harvesting

The collection of data to assist machine learning. This is usually done from large data sets such as social media chats, image collections or texts. This is often done without seeking the permission of the dataset holder, or the creators of the original images or texts, and as such may infringe intellectual or moral rights.  The purpose of collecting the data is usually to mine it.

Data mining

The process of analysing large data sets such as images or texts to identify patterns or relationships to generate learning or to create new texts or images based on concatenating the original source data.

Generative AI

Refers to algorithms which create new content such as images, texts or audio, based on harvested or mined data. Recent widely available software such as ChatGPT and DALL-E and the incorporation of such Generative AI in to software such as Photoshop has made it accessible and affordable.

Machine learning

A technique that allows computer software or machines to learn and make changes to outcomes, based on experience or results, rather than following set paths pre-determined by software.

updated 25 June 2023

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