Why did AI explode recently?

AI has been around for decades, but recently, there’s been a big boom in a specific type of AI called “Generative AI” or GenAI for short. This exciting technology isn’t just about understanding or analyzing data; it’s about creating new things – whether that’s art, music, text, or even videos.

Do you know which of the following tools is not GenAI?

Midjourney
This is GenAI! Midjourney is a generative AI tool designed to create visual content, such as images, from textual descriptions.
ChatGPT
This is GenAI! ChatGPT is a generative AI that can create text-based content from prompts.
Zoom
Zoom is not a generative AI; it is a video conferencing tool that facilitates online meetings and communications.

 

So, what is Generative AI?

Generative AI is a branch of AI that takes in a lot of information about something and then uses that to create new content that’s similar but original. For example, after looking at thousands of paintings, a generative AI can start making new images that look like a human painted them.

A streetview with skyscrapers
This image was created through text prompts in Midjourney, a popular generative AI tool.

 

But what changed to allow this to happen?

The major change that supercharged the development of generative AI, especially in creating smart systems like ChatGPT, came from a new method called the Transformer architecture. This method, introduced in 2017, helped machines better understand and organize information by focusing on the importance of words no matter where they appear in a sentence. For instance, it could tell the difference between “bank” as in a place where money is kept and “bank” as the side of a river.

Transformer architecture also allows AI systems to handle a lot of information at once and learn from it much quicker than before. This was a huge step, allowing it to perform complex tasks that seem more human-like.

Along with the transformer, we also now have:

More Data
We generate massive amounts of digital content daily, providing a rich learning ground for AI.
Better Algorithms
Improvements in algorithms, especially those related to machine learning and neural networks, have made AI smarter and faster.
Increased Computing Power
More powerful computers can process information quicker, making training AI on large datasets feasible.

 

How does Generative AI create new things?

Generative AI works a bit like a highly skilled imitator. It uses a special approach in machine learning called “deep learning”, which involves layers of processing that help the AI learn complex patterns in data. Once trained, it can generate new content that mimics the original data in style or substance.

GenAI has plenty of different cool uses:

Large Language Models (LLMs)
These are powerful tools that use AI to understand and generate human-like text. It was with this that all the excitement around GenAI’s possibilities started. Chatbots like ChatGPT are examples of LLMs that can converse, answer questions, and even write essays or poems.
Images and Art
GenAI, like DALL-E and Midjourney, can generate new artwork from a simple text description.
Video and music
GenAI tools can also create new video clips that look real or alter existing ones, like making a sunny day look rainy in a video. They can also create new songs in different genres with human-sounding voices.

 

The Potential of Generative AI

Generative AI isn’t just a cool tech gimmick; it has practical applications that can change how we work and live.

In creative industries, it can offer new tools for artists and designers.

In business, it can automate routine tasks, like generating reports or answering common customer questions.

In education, it can provide personalized learning experiences and content.

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Last Update: November 21, 2024