Glossary
Plain-language explanations of technology terms, at the level you want.
Generative AI
Generative AI is software that creates new text, images, or audio based on patterns it learned from many examples. You describe what you want in plain words, and it produces something new.
Prompt
A prompt is simply the instruction or question you give an AI. Clearer prompts β saying what you want, who it's for, and what the result should look like β get better answers.
AI hallucination
A 'hallucination' is when an AI produces information that sounds confident but is actually wrong or invented β like a fake fact or a made-up source. It's why you should always check important answers.
Privacy
Privacy means controlling who can see your personal information β your name, photos, location, and messages. With AI tools, it means being careful about what you type or upload.
Deepfake
A deepfake is AI-generated media β a face, voice, or video β designed to look or sound like a real person. Scammers use them to trick people, so it's important to verify anything surprising.
Chatbot
A chatbot is a program you have a conversation with by typing (or speaking). AI chatbots can answer questions and help with writing, but they can also be wrong.
Website
A website is a set of pages on the internet, reachable at an address (a URL). You can make a simple one yourself with a template builder β no coding required.
Code (programming)
Code is the set of instructions that make software work. You can start with visual, block-based tools (like Scratch) that let you 'code' by snapping pieces together β no typing of complex symbols needed.
Open source
Open source software has its inner workings shared publicly so anyone can use, study, and improve it. Many free tools are open source.
Algorithm
An algorithm is a set of steps for solving a problem or completing a task β like a recipe. The 'recommendations' you see in apps are produced by algorithms.
The cloud
'The cloud' means storing data or running software on remote servers over the internet, rather than only on your own device. Photos backed up online are 'in the cloud.'
Copyright
Copyright is a legal right that protects creative work β art, writing, music. It matters with AI because you should respect others' work and check the usage rights of what you create.
Text-to-speech
Text-to-speech turns written text into spoken audio. It's useful for narration, audiobooks, and accessibility β and modern versions sound quite natural.
Responsible AI
Responsible AI means using these tools honestly and carefully β checking facts, respecting privacy and copyright, being transparent about AI's role, and keeping people safe.