Generative AI for Beginners: What It Is and How to Learn It

Generative AI creates new text, images, code and more. Tools like ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini are built on large language models (LLMs) trained on huge amounts of text.

Key ideas in plain language

• Tokens: the small pieces of text a model reads and writes
• Prompts: the instructions you give the model
• Embeddings: numbers that capture meaning, used for search
• RAG: letting a model answer from your own documents
• Agents: models that use tools and take steps to finish a task

Two ways to learn

If you want to use AI to work faster, start with prompt engineering and AI productivity. If you want to build AI products, learn to call LLM APIs, build RAG chatbots and create agents with guardrails.

Use AI responsibly

Check facts, protect personal data, and keep a human in the loop for important decisions.