Introduction

This guide provides a very brief overview of Generative AI or 'GenAI' for QUT students. 

Traditional AI is the ability of computers or computer-controlled robots to perform tasks commonly associated with intelligence. Basically, if a human did it, it would be classified as intelligent. Think playing chess or analysis, spotting patterns and making predictions based on huge amounts of data.

Advancements in AI have led to generative AI, where systems using machine learning have been trained using large amounts of data to perform, mimic or imitate tasks. This technology focuses on creating new content such as text and images from existing information. 

While GenAI can be a tremendous aid, it's still essential to stay engaged in the learning process. Use AI as a tool to enhance and supplement your efforts, not as a replacement for critical thinking and personal understanding.

The main areas covered in this guide are: 

          GenAI types and tools                            Evaluative and ethical use                                     GenAI prompts

Note. Images created using Canva text to image, 2023 (https://www.canva.com/ai-image-generator/)

GenAI is limited by the amount, quality and context of the data it's trained on and it is well known that GenAI makes things up, and does it very convincingly! Content from GenAI shouldn't be relied upon as a credible and reliable source of information. 

Models can be programmed to not answer certain questions that could be harmful, toxic, or in some instances political which many claim leads to bias. For example, AI image generator MidJourney has banned a range of words relating to the human reproductive system from being used as a prompt to prevent people from generating gory, explicit or shocking images. While it can be argued that these types of measures protect users, they consequently impart a level of bias that users can't bypass.

Like many other digital tools, generative AI tools collect and stores data about users. Signing up to use generative AI tools allows it to collect data on you. This user data would be used to make changes to tools to keep you engaged. User data also has the potential to be sold or given to third parties for marketing or surveillance purposes.