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GlossaryModelsNew to AI

Generative AI

Also written: Gen AI, Generative search, AI-powered search, Conversational search, Generative modeling, Interleaved generation, Generative interfaces, Generative video models

AI that can create new content, like text, images, or code, based on patterns learned from data.

In plain terms

Generative AI is a type of artificial intelligence that can produce original content. This content can be text, like stories or emails, images, music, or even computer code.

It works by learning patterns from vast amounts of existing data. For example, a generative AI model trained on many images can create a new, unique picture based on a text description you provide. Google offers tools for educators to use generative AI in classrooms.

The expert version

Generative AI refers to AI models capable of generating novel content, such as text, images, audio, or code. These models, often based on large neural networks like transformers, learn statistical patterns and relationships from massive datasets during training.

During inference, the model uses these learned patterns to produce new outputs that are statistically similar to the training data but are not direct copies. Tradeoffs include potential for generating biased or inaccurate content, and significant computational resources required for training and inference.

Why it matters now

Generative AI is a major focus as companies like OpenAI and Google Gemini integrate it into products for customers and businesses. Recent news highlights its application in diverse fields, from banking and retail to music creation and education. The ongoing development and deployment of these AI models are driving innovation and raising discussions about their impact.

Where it shows up 56 items, newest first
How each company uses it
Google Gemini
Google Gemini is developing advanced generative AI models like Gemini 3.8 Live for more natural voice interactions and Lyria RealTime for music creation.
Microsoft Copilot
Microsoft Copilot is enabling startups and educational institutions to leverage generative AI for expanding financial access and setting safety standards.
OpenAI ChatGPT
OpenAI is a key player in generative AI, with its technology being adopted by companies like Itaú for customer services and Albertsons for retail operations, while also funding research into its societal impact.
Related terms

Large Language ModelsDiffusion ModelsPrompt EngineeringAI Training DataNeural NetworksTransformer Models

Often confused with
Discriminative AI
Discriminative AI models classify or predict based on input d
AI Ethics
AI ethics is a broader field concerned with the moral implications of
Machine Learning
Generative AI is a subfield of machine learning focused on con
Origin

The concept of generative models has roots in statistical modeling and machine learning research dating back decades. However, the term 'Generative AI' gained prominence with the rise of deep learning models like Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) and later, large transformer-based models. Source ↗

Try this about 5 minutes

Go to a generative AI chatbot like ChatGPT or Google Gemini. Ask it to write a short poem about a robot learning to cook, or to describe a futuristic city in three sentences. This will show you how the AI can create new text based on your prompt.

Try it: Playbook entries that use thisPlaybook →

The Playbook: reusable how-tos, prompts, configs and tips pulled out of the news.

Questions people ask

What kind of content can Generative AI create?
Generative AI can create text, images, music, code, and even videos, depending on the specific model and its training data.
How does Generative AI learn to create content?
It learns by analyzing vast amounts of existing data, identifying patterns and relationships, and then using that knowledge to generate new, similar content.
Is Generative AI always accurate?
No, generative AI can sometimes produce incorrect or nonsensical information, a phenomenon often referred to as 'hallucination'.

First seen on Subvolts Jan 30, 2020. Updated Oct 17, 2026. Written by an AI model from the items above and reviewed against them weekly; report an error.