Generative artificial intelligence (gen AI) is a category of web-based tools that use algorithms, data, and statistical models to generate content (text, images, or other content types).

Using prompts, gen AI tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot generate output in response to those prompts. 

These tools use a type of computer program called a large language model to provide the tool with the data it needs to reply appropriately to a prompt you have given it.

• For example, when ChatGPT writes a response to a prompt, it generates text based on what words came before and what is the most likely next word. Because gen AI uses natural language and computes so quickly, it can often seem like the chatbot is, in fact, intelligent.

The field of gen AI is changing at a rapid pace. We know that these generative tools can help users synthesize information and create content (code, essays, art, music, etc.). However, these tools can also 'hallucinate', or make up facts or sources, as well as create biased content.

Keep the following tips in mind:

• Make sure it is ethical for you to use gen AI before you use it (see Academic Integrity and Gen AI). 
• Always critically evaluate any content that has been generated by gen AI tools.
• The library does not recommend using a gen AI tool as a source of evidence in an assignment. This is because gen AI tools summarize the sources they were trained on to generate content and are too far removed from primary sources to be useful as sources of evidence. Gen AI transcripts can be considered as tertiary sources. See this FAQ for more information on primary, secondary, and tertiary sources.