Reed Library: Artificial Intelligence: Generative AI

“Generative AI refers to deep-learning models that can generate high-quality text, images, and other content based on the data they were trained on.”
Source: IBM

Types of Generative AI Models

Large Language Models
Image Content Creation

Large language models (LLMs) are essentially computer programs that are really good at understanding and using human language. They are a type of artificial intelligence (AI) that's been trained on massive amounts of text data.

Popular LMMs Include:

GPT-3, GPT 3.5, GPT 4 (These power ChatGPT)
BERT
T5
BLOOM
Claude
Gemini

Image content creation AI, also known as text-to-image AI, is a type of artificial intelligence that can generate images based on descriptions you provide.

Popular Image Content Creation AI's Include:

DALL·E 3: (Works within a ChatGPT Plus subscription.)
Midjourney: Free 15 images (not as intuitive as Dall-E)
Imagen by Google: Offers a limited number of free images per month (currently in beta testing)
Image Creator from Microsoft Designer (formerly Bing Image Creator): Free tool for beginners

Check out "You against the Machine: Can you spot which image was created by A.I.?" for a challenging quiz on Image Content Creation AI

Think Critically

Many AI models can only “scrub” freely available internet data. They can't navigate behind paywalls and access scholarly peer-reviewed journals or databases. So, we suggest using large language models similar to Wikipedia: as a beginning point for research.

Regarding Image Content Creation AI, like DALL-E and Midjourney, think about who has (and has had historically) the ability to contribute stock photos the most. This is why when you request Midjourney to craft an image of a librarian, the outcome often aligns with stereotypes–a portrayal of an older white woman with glasses and a bun sitting at a desk surrounded by books. It is essential to recognize that inherent biases are ingrained in AI-generated content.

For more on bias in AI, check our Ethical Concerns page.

ChatGPT

ChatGPT (Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer) is an AI-powered chatbot developed by OpenAI. The model was trained on a vast pool of texts and data collected from the internet up until 2021. It uses natural language processing to respond to user-generated prompts.

What you need to know about ChatGPT

OpenAI (the company that designed ChatGPT) collects data from ChatGPT users.
The privacy policy states that this data can be shared with third-party vendors, law enforcement, affiliates, and other users.
Prompts inputted into ChatGPT cannot be deleted (unless you have a premium account). Therefore, this data cannot be removed if you or your students ask ChatGPT about sensitive or controversial topics.
ChatGPT was trained using a massive dataset of text written by humans pulled from the Internet. Responses may reflect the biases of these humans.
Asking students to use ChatGPT provides free labor to OpenAI. Their conversations will help train ChatGPT.

AI Repositories

ITHAKA S+R - Generative AI Product Tracker - "lists AI products that are either marketed specifically towards postsecondary faculty or students or appear to be actively in use by postsecondary faculty or students for teaching, learning, or research activities. The Tracker is a living document, which we update regularly as new products enter the market or new information about existing products becomes available."
Futurepedia - "The largest AI tools directory." Allows users' to search for a tool based on their AI need. These are arranged by tool category.
TheresAnAIForThat - Index of over 8,000 AI tools. These are arranged by date added, most saved and what they can help with/do. Users' can also search for tools based on their job and what can help in their field.