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Explainer

What Is Artificial Intelligence? How AI Actually Works

Key Points

  • AI is the broad field; machine learning is one approach within it.
  • Training builds models; inference uses them.
  • Generative AI creates content, while agents can take actions.

What is artificial intelligence?

Artificial intelligence, or AI, refers broadly to computer systems designed to perform tasks associated with capabilities such as learning, reasoning, prediction, perception, language and decision-making.

How does AI work?

Much of modern AI is built using machine learning, where models learn patterns from data rather than relying entirely on manually written rules.

What are large language models?

Large language models, or LLMs, are trained on large amounts of language-related data and can generate text, answer questions, summarise information, translate and write code.

What are AI agents?

AI agents extend the chatbot model by giving AI systems tools and the ability to carry out tasks.

What is AGI?

Artificial general intelligence, or AGI, has no universally accepted technical definition and broadly refers to a hypothetical AI capable of performing a wide range of intellectual tasks.