This guide overviews Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its role at Tarrant County College. It provides a general introduction to AI with a focus on effective and ethical integration of Generative AI (GAI or GenAI) tools. You will find information to support development of critical AI literacy, including best practices and resources to support ethical use.
The AI landscape is highly dynamic. Amid the exponential growth in development of AI tools and the evolving legal and ethical guidelines surrounding their use, this guide will be updated regularly. The date of last update will be included here to help inform your use of its contents.
Last Updated: May 24, 2024
Below are definitions of basic terms. More terms are defined in this dynamic AI Glossary [TCC AI Taskforce Glossary link Coming Soon].
According to CompTIA, AI refers to “Processing according to pre-programmed rules in ways that mimic human abilities.” Similarly, Educause refers to AI as “the simulation of human intelligence in machines or computers that are programmed to undertake tasks usually thought to require human cognitive processes and decision-making capabilities.”
At TCC, when we say “AI” or “Artificial Intelligence” we are referring to a broad spectrum of computer programs that have been programmed to mimic human behaviors and actions that include (but are not limited to) writing, speaking, reasoning, and planning.
Generative AI refers to computer programs that can produce text, images, and other material based on prompts given by users. These programs have been trained on large volumes of pre-existing material and programmed to create responses based on the structure and patterns of the data they are trained on. Generative AI has existed for quite some time in forms that are fairly commonplace (i.e., autocorrect and predictive text in messaging and word processing applications).
At TCC, when we say, “Generative AI” we are generally referring to newer and more powerful generative AI such as chatbots, image generators, and video generators.
CompTIA refers to machine learning as “a branch of AI that allows systems to automatically process data and analyze for insights without being programmed explicitly. Machine learning is concerned with learning functions and patterns to do things like classification and prediction.”
At TCC, when we say, “machine learning,” we are generally referring to the ways AI programs are trained on data and then “learn” to produce various outputs like text, images, and video.
“Artificial Intelligence (AI) Terminology - A Glossary for Beginners.” CompTia Community, CompTia, connect.comptia.org/content/articles/artificial-intelligence-terminology. Accessed 25 Mar. 2024.
“Artificial Intelligence (AI).” EDUCAUSE Library, EDUCAUSE, library.educause.edu/topics/infrastructure-and-research-technologies/artificial-intelligence-ai. Accessed 25 Mar. 2024.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to computer systems that are capable of performing complex tasks that historically only humans could do, such as reasoning, making decisions, or solving problems. AI encompasses a wide range of technologies that power many of the services and goods we use every day, from recommendation systems to chatbots.[1] It is important to note that AI is not the same as machine learning, although they are closely related. Machine learning is a method used to train computers to learn from their inputs without explicit programming for every circumstance, and it helps computers achieve artificial intelligence[2].
“Can you provide me with a definition of AI” prompt. Smart Mode, 20 March version, You, 20 March 2024, you.com.
If you have insights, resources, or questions you'd like to share, contact us!
Eric Camarillo, PhD, Dean of Learning Commons, TCC Northwest | Email Eric
Philip Jensen, MLIS, Public Services Librarian, TCC Northwest | Email Phil
Alex Potemkin, MLIS, Director of Library Services, TCC Northwest | Email Alex
Michelle York, MA, Instructor of English & Academic Foundations, TCC Connect | Email Michelle
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