Understand AI

Different people can mean different things when they use the term Artificial Intelligence (AI). 

One common definition is that Artificial Intelligence is the name we give to the study of making computers perform tasks that would normally need a human’s intelligence. 

The set of technologies that perform these tasks are known as “AI technologies”.

Newer, often more helpful, definitions of Artificial Intelligence tend to avoid the comparison with “human intelligence” and focus on them being machine-based systems that create output such as content or a decision based on inferences they make from data.

What is AI? A simple guide to help you understand artificial intelligence - BBC News

AI Skills Boost - AI Skills Hub

Check out the NHSX AI Dictionary for a full list of definitions for AI terms

Some common terms you will hear include:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a broad term for digital technology that can perform tasks that require "intelligence", such as reasoning, making decisions, learning from mistakes, communicating, and problem solving.
• An Algorithm is a set of instructions or rules that a computer (including smartphones) uses to complete a task.
• Generative AI is a type of AI that generates text, images, audio, video, or other media based on user prompts using machine learning. Chatbots are a common example of generative AI.
• Hallucinations refer to responses from large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT that seem plausible but are inaccurate. An example would be a citation for a book that doesn't exist.
• Large Language Models (LLMs) are a foundation model, which is a type of machine learning model trained on vast amounts of data. LLMs are trained on massive amounts of text to carry out language-related tasks. Google Translate and ChatGPT are both examples of LLMs.
• Machine Learning is a type of AI that uses algorithms to 'learn' without all of it's instructions being explicitly programmed. Examples include LLMs (see above), virtual assistants like Alexa, and facial recognition.

Some examples of an AI technology are Copilot and ChatGPT. 

This type of AI technology is known as a “Large Language Model” (LLM) and can respond to questions you ask, generate text and produce content.

LLM’s answers depend on the data it has been trained on, and the quality of the answers depends on the quality of the data it has been trained on. Copilot  and ChatGPT have been trained on a huge amount of data from a vast range of sources, which means they're able to respond to a huge amount of questions. 

There are also voice recognition AI technologies, which can recognise what people say when they speak out loud using a technique known as “Natural Language Processing”. This is what allows smart speakers like Amazon Alexa to be able to respond to questions. 

Artificial Intelligence techniques, such as “Machine Learning” are also used in social media and on the internet to personalise content, present you a tailored newsfeed and to target ads.

These technologies are good at recognising patterns, and are used to flag spam email or to protect people from fraud in online banking.

AI technologies are also used to help make decisions, such as whether someone is eligible for a certain treatment in a healthcare setting.

Ambient Voice Technology (AVT) in the NHS uses AI to listen to patient-clinician conversations, automatically generating accurate medical notes and summaries, allowing doctors to focus on patients rather than typing, thereby reducing burnout, speeding up appointments, and improving documentation quality.

Other names for this technology include AI Scribes/Ambient Scribes

NHS England » Guidance on the use of AI-enabled ambient scribing products in health and care settings

AI is only as good as the data it relies on.

Download the The Generative AI CHECKLIST for a checklist of useful tips when using Generative AI.

Bias and discrimination:

Hallucinations refer to responses from large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT that seem plausible but are inaccurate. An example would be a citation for a book that doesn't exist.