What is AI?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the broad, overarching field of computer systems that can simulate human intelligence to learn, reason, and perform tasks.
- Generative AI is the most popular technology you typically see today that creates new and original content; it can write essays, generate realistic images, or compose music.
- Agentic AI is an emerging concept that acts as an autonomous doer; you give it a complex goal (like "plan a 5-day event"), and it independently figures out the steps, uses tools, and takes action to complete the task.
- There are also other types of AI such as Machine Learning (ML), which is a process where the computer "learns" to identify patterns from vast amounts of data instead of being explicitly programmed for every single rule; and
- Deep Learning -a more advanced form of Machine Learning that uses complex 'neural networks'—inspired by the human brain—to find very subtle patterns.
- Free Coursera Classes
Coursera offers many free courses on many different AI subjects. While we encourage you to explore more at Coursera, here are a few opportunities to bolster your AI knowledge: - ChatGPT (and other LLMs) - Brandeis CTL Website Article
The Brandeis Center for Teaching & Learning has developed a short synopsis on ChatGPT, which can be used to help understand these new services such as those we provide at Brandeis (Gemini and Copilot). - Visual explanation of AI Chatbots - Guardian Article
Large language models (LLMs) are the fundamental architecture behind chatbots like ChatGPT or Bard. A question typed into ChatGPT, such as “What is the capital of France”, has to be processed by an LLM in order to produce an answer like “The capital of France is Paris”. Use this link to learn more about how AI Chatbots work. - Harvard AI Pedagogy Project - Resource Repository
Harvard’s AI Pedagogy Project houses an accessible and interactive collection of resources that is geared especially for newcomers. The site contains:- An introduction to AI literacy that covers what AI is, how it works, some general best practices/tips/approaches, and a glossary of key terms;
- An interactive LLM tutorial with a built-in chatbot to walk users through how to operate basic prompt commands;
- A list of external resources including guides, policies, initiatives, discussion communities, and more; and
- A searchable library of sample AI assignments from 20+ different fields.